Immunosensor techniques (Electrochemical, SPR and QCM) used in Food Safety

The greatest challenge confronted by food processing industries in both developed as well as developing countries are the detection of pathogens and fungal toxins. Immunosensors claims to be one such analytical method that offers high potential in food safety sector due to their low cost per analysis. Immunosensors have shown fast response and reduced sample preparations as compared to other conventional techniques used like HPLC, PCR and ELISA. Also, conventional and standard bacterial detection methods such as culture and colony counting methods, immunology-based methods and polymerase chain reaction based methods take up to several hours or even a few days to yield a result for the detection of bacterial pathogen and toxin in food. Immunosensors have shown potential of online or on -field applications, which saves lengthy and tedious job of detecting pathogens and toxins. The prospect of incorporating of nanoparticles have enhanced the potential of Immunosensors for monitoring of several analytes and miniaturisation especially in Immunosensors based on Electrochemical, Surface Plasmon Resonance and Quartz Crystal Microbalance techniques. Immunosensor technology can have an impact on food safety if the developed devices will be able to produce wide-ranging data on emerging pathogens. Sensitivity of Immunosensors still remains an area of concern, but further research will surely improve upon their features without compromising the cost.