ABSTRACT
Food safety has become a great challenge across the globe. Food outbreaks are increasing due to poor control on the food supply chain across the countries. The food safety situation is very alarming especially in developing countries. Although, various scientific approaches are available to detect the potential hazards (physical, chemical & biological) in the supply chain. However, these are complicated and have limitations compared to nanomaterial's-based nano-sensors which are ease in use, sensitive, efficient and have a wide range of detection. The current chapter provides the details of nanomaterial-based biosensors and their crucial role in food safety and quality. In this chapter, the applications of various nano-particles for the detection of pathogens and toxins such as gold nano-particles, silver nano-materials, quantum dots, carbon nano-tubes, and magnetic nano-particles have been discussed. Moreover, the chapter envisions the applications of nanotechnology in detection of various food contaminants including heavy metals, chemicals and pesticide residues, veterinary drugs, and various food adulterants. In addition, the uses of nanomaterials sensors and biosensors in biodegradable food packaging materials such starch, chitosan, cellulose, and proteins have been briefly described.
