ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews various types of nanosensors used for the detection of food contamination. It discusses the application of nanosensors for effective monitoring of food contamination to ensure food safety and quality. The chapter highlights the current state-of-the-art that describes Nanomaterials-enhanced surface plasmon resonance sensors for the detection of food contaminants in various food products. Food contamination can be divided into physical, chemical, and biological contaminants. Physical and chemical contaminants do not alter the nature of food products, but micro-organisms change the properties of the food itself. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of food contaminants and residues can be done using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Biosensors are integrated device which provides selective quantitative and semi-quantitative analytical information using a biological recognition element. Nanotechnology provides a potential impact on a various aspect of food science, from the growth of food to packaging, and finally consumption.
