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Biosensors
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Optical and Electrochemical Biosensors for Biological, Environmental, and Food Analysis
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Optical and Electrochemical Biosensors for Biological, Environmental, and Food Analysis

A special issue of Biosensors (ISSN 2079-6374). This special issue belongs to the section "Optical and Photonic Biosensors".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2025) | Viewed by 14274

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Long Wu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Food Science and Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Interests: biosensors; functional nanomaterials; food safety; anlytical techniques; food analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In this Special Issue, we delve into the innovative world of optical and electrochemical biosensors, focusing on their applications in biological, environmental, and food analyses. These biosensors represent a convergence of interdisciplinary sciences, leveraging principles from chemistry, physics, biology, and engineering to provide the rapid, accurate, and sensitive detection of various analytes.

Optical and electrochemical biosensors are at the forefront of technological advancements in analytical sciences. Their applications in biological, environmental, and food analyses are pivotal in addressing global challenges related to health, environment, and food safety. As we continue to innovate and explore the potential of biosensors, their impact on society, industry, and research will undoubtedly expand, offering new solutions to age-old and emerging challenges.

This Special Issue aims to showcase the latest research advances in optical and electrochemical biosensors to explore the real analysis potential and inspire researchers to identify prospective and more interesting directions for its further development and application. We accept original, technical, or review papers on (but not limited to) the following topics:

  1. Investigation of potential molecular mechanisms and interactions of optical and electrochemical biosensors;
  2. Development of devices for various sensing platforms, including microsystem technologies, miniaturized devices, microelectrodes, etc.;
  3. Active material exploration for enhancing the analytical performance of optical and electrochemical systems, including nanomaterials, novel semiconductor materials, microelectrode materials, etc.;
  4. Advances and perspectives in design devices and fabrication technologies for optical and electrochemical biosensors;
  5. Application of optical and electrochemical biosensors in biological, environmental sciences, and food analyses.

Dr. Long Wu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biosensors is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • electrode materials
  • substrate materials
  • spectroelectrochemical technique
  • miniaturization
  • environmental monitoring
  • biological analysis
  • food analysis

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

21 pages, 5051 KB  
Article
Identification of Hybrid Indica Paddy Rice Grain Varieties Based on Hyperspectral Imaging and Deep Learning
by Meng Zhang, Peng Li, Wei Dong, Shuqi Tang, Yan Wang, Runmei Li, Shucun Ju, Bolun Guan, Jingbo Zhu, Juanjuan Kong and Liping Zhang
Biosensors 2025, 15(10), 647; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15100647 - 30 Sep 2025
Viewed by 497
Abstract
Paddy rice grain variety classification is essential for quality control, as different rice varieties exhibit significant variations in quality attributes, affecting both food security and market value. The integration of hyperspectral imaging with machine learning presents a promising approach for precise classification, though [...] Read more.
Paddy rice grain variety classification is essential for quality control, as different rice varieties exhibit significant variations in quality attributes, affecting both food security and market value. The integration of hyperspectral imaging with machine learning presents a promising approach for precise classification, though challenges remain in managing the high dimensionality and variability of spectral data, along with the need for model interpretability. To address these challenges, this study employs a CNN-Transformer model that incorporates Standard Normal Variate (SNV) preprocessing, Competitive Adaptive Reweighted Sampling (CARS) for feature wavelength selection, and interpretability analysis to optimize the classification of hybrid indica paddy rice grain varieties. The results show that the CNN-Transformer model outperforms baseline models, achieving an accuracy of 95.33% and an F1-score of 95.40%. Interpretability analysis reveals that the model’s ability to learn from key wavelength features is significantly stronger than that of the comparison models. The key spectral bands identified for hybrid indica paddy rice grain variety classification lie within the 400–440 nm, 580–700 nm, and 880–960 nm ranges. This study demonstrates the potential of hyperspectral imaging combined with machine learning to advance rice variety classification, providing a powerful and interpretable tool for automated rice quality control in agricultural practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optical and Electrochemical Biosensors for Biological, Environmental, and Food Analysis)
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11 pages, 4265 KB  
Communication
Application of an Electrochemical Sensor Based on Nitrogen-Doped Biochar Loaded with Ruthenium Oxide for Heavy Metal Detection
by Le Li, Yonghong Zhao, Zhengjiu Wang, Jiale Tao, Manying Yang, Chen Li, Xiaoqian Zhang, Shiguo Sun and Na Zhao
Biosensors 2025, 15(3), 160; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15030160 - 3 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1151
Abstract
Cotton is a widely cultivated cash crop and represents one of the most significant raw materials for textiles on a global scale. The rapid development of the cotton industry has resulted in the production of substantial amounts of cotton husks, which are frequently [...] Read more.
Cotton is a widely cultivated cash crop and represents one of the most significant raw materials for textiles on a global scale. The rapid development of the cotton industry has resulted in the production of substantial amounts of cotton husks, which are frequently underutilized or discarded. This study utilizes agricultural waste, specifically cotton shells, as a precursor for biochar, which is subsequently carbonized and nitrogen-doped with ruthenium oxide to synthesize an innovative composite material known as RuO2-NC. An electrochemical sensor was developed using this composite material to detect heavy metals, particularly lead and copper ions. The results demonstrate that the electrochemical sensor can accurately quantify concentrations of lead and copper ions across a wide linear range, exhibiting exceptional sensitivity. Furthermore, the sensor was tested on samples from Viola tianshanica Maxim (Violaceae) collected from the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR) in China, showing commendable accuracy and sensitivity. This approach promotes eco-friendly recycling of agricultural waste while offering advantages such as straightforward operation and reduced costs, thereby presenting promising prospects for practical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optical and Electrochemical Biosensors for Biological, Environmental, and Food Analysis)
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12 pages, 2650 KB  
Article
A Sensitive and Selective Electrochemical Aptasensor for Carbendazim Detection
by Suthira Pushparajah, Mahnaz Shafiei and Aimin Yu
Biosensors 2025, 15(1), 15; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15010015 - 3 Jan 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1516
Abstract
Carbendazim (CBZ) is used to prevent fungal infections in agricultural crops. Given its high persistence and potential for long-term health effects, it is crucial to quickly identify pesticide residues in food and the environment in order to mitigate excessive exposure. Aptamer-based sensors offer [...] Read more.
Carbendazim (CBZ) is used to prevent fungal infections in agricultural crops. Given its high persistence and potential for long-term health effects, it is crucial to quickly identify pesticide residues in food and the environment in order to mitigate excessive exposure. Aptamer-based sensors offer a promising solution for pesticide detection due to their exceptional selectivity, design versatility, ease of use, and affordability. Herein, we report the development of an electrochemical aptasensor for CBZ detection. The sensor was fabricated through a one-step electrodeposition of platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Then, a CBZ-specific aptamer was attached via Pt-sulfur bonds. Upon combining CBZ with the aptamer on the electrode surface, the redox reaction of the electrochemical probe K4[Fe(CN)6] is hindered, resulting in a current drop. Under optimized conditions (pH of 7.5 and 25 min of incubation time), the proposed aptasensor showed a linear current reduction to CBZ concentrations between 0.5 and 15 nM. The limit of detection (LOD) for this proposed aptasensor is 0.41 nM. Along with its repeatable character, the aptasensor demonstrated better selectivity for CBZ compared to other potential compounds. The recovery rates for detecting CBZ in skim milk and tap water using the standard addition method were 98% and 96%, respectively. The proposed aptasensor demonstrated simplicity, sensitivity, and selectivity for detecting CBZ with satisfactory repeatability. It establishes a strong foundation for environmental monitoring of CBZ. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optical and Electrochemical Biosensors for Biological, Environmental, and Food Analysis)
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12 pages, 2412 KB  
Article
Electroanalytical Platform for Rapid E. coli O157:H7 Detection in Water Samples
by Kundan Kumar Mishra, Vikram Narayanan Dhamu, Chesna Jophy, Sriram Muthukumar and Shalini Prasad
Biosensors 2024, 14(6), 298; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios14060298 - 7 Jun 2024
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4096
Abstract
There is a pressing need to enhance early detection methods of E. coli O157:H7 to mitigate the occurrence and consequences of pathogenic contamination and associated outbreaks. This study highlights the efficacy of a portable electrochemical sensing platform that operates without faradaic processes towards [...] Read more.
There is a pressing need to enhance early detection methods of E. coli O157:H7 to mitigate the occurrence and consequences of pathogenic contamination and associated outbreaks. This study highlights the efficacy of a portable electrochemical sensing platform that operates without faradaic processes towards detecting and quantifying E. coli O157:H7. It is specifically tailored for quick identification in potable water. The assay processing time is approximately 5 min, addressing the need for swift and efficient pathogen detection. The sensing platform was constructed utilizing specific, monoclonal E. coli antibodies, based on single-capture, non-faradaic, electrochemical immunoassay principles. The E. coli sensor assay underwent testing over a wide concentration range, spanning from 10 to 105 CFU/mL, and a limit of detection (LoD) of 1 CFU/mL was demonstrated. Significantly, the sensor’s performance remained consistent across studies, with both inter- and intra-study coefficients of variation consistently below 20%. To evaluate real-world feasibility, a comparative examination was performed between laboratory-based benchtop data and data obtained from the portable device. The proposed sensing platform exhibited remarkable sensitivity and selectivity, enabling the detection of minimal E. coli concentrations in potable water. This successful advancement positions it as a promising solution for prompt on-site detection, characterized by its portability and user-friendly operation. This study presents electrochemical-based sensors as significant contributors to ensuring food safety and public health. They play a crucial role in preventing the occurrence of epidemics and enhancing the supervision of water quality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optical and Electrochemical Biosensors for Biological, Environmental, and Food Analysis)
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13 pages, 4915 KB  
Article
A Multienzyme Reaction-Mediated Electrochemical Biosensor for Sensitive Detection of Organophosphorus Pesticides
by Chengzhen Ji, Xuemei Tang, Ruiming Wen, Chengdong Xu, Jing Wei, Bingjun Han and Long Wu
Biosensors 2024, 14(2), 62; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios14020062 - 24 Jan 2024
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2771
Abstract
Ethephon (ETH), a commonly employed growth regulator, poses potential health risks due to its residue in fruits and vegetables, leading to both acute and subchronic toxicity. However, the detection accuracy of ETH is compromised by the color effects of the samples during the [...] Read more.
Ethephon (ETH), a commonly employed growth regulator, poses potential health risks due to its residue in fruits and vegetables, leading to both acute and subchronic toxicity. However, the detection accuracy of ETH is compromised by the color effects of the samples during the detection process. In this work, a multienzyme reaction-mediated electrochemical biosensor (MRMEC) was developed for the sensitive, rapid, and color-interference-resistant determination of ETH. Nanozymes Fe3O4@Au–Pt and graphene nanocomplexes (GN–Au NPs) were prepared as catalysts and signal amplifiers for MRMEC. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), acetylcholine (ACh), and choline oxidase (CHOx) form a cascade enzyme reaction to produce H2O2 in an electrolytic cell. Fe3O4@Au–Pt has excellent peroxidase-like activity and can catalyze the oxidation of 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethvlbenzidine (TMB) in the presence of H2O2, resulting in a decrease in the characteristic peak current of TMB. Based on the inhibitory effect of ETH on AChE, the differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) current signal of TMB was used to detect ETH, offering the limit of detection (LOD) of 2.01 nmol L−1. The MRMEC method effectively analyzed ETH levels in mangoes, showing satisfactory precision (coefficient of variations, 2.88–15.97%) and recovery rate (92.18–110.72%). This biosensor holds promise for detecting various organophosphorus pesticides in food samples. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optical and Electrochemical Biosensors for Biological, Environmental, and Food Analysis)
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Review

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34 pages, 4923 KB  
Review
Recent Developments and Applications of Terahertz Spectroscopy in Food Analysis
by Pengpeng Yu, Chaoping Shen, Wenhui Zhu, Wenya Zhang, Junhui Cheng and Jinxiu Song
Biosensors 2025, 15(10), 677; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15100677 - 8 Oct 2025
Viewed by 881
Abstract
The terahertz waves are electromagnetic waves with frequencies ranging from 0.1 to 10 THz, exhibiting characteristics of both microwave and infrared, including fingerprint characteristics, coherence, and safety. Due to the weak interactions among most organic macromolecules in substances, the vibrational modes of molecular [...] Read more.
The terahertz waves are electromagnetic waves with frequencies ranging from 0.1 to 10 THz, exhibiting characteristics of both microwave and infrared, including fingerprint characteristics, coherence, and safety. Due to the weak interactions among most organic macromolecules in substances, the vibrational modes of molecular frameworks, as well as dipole rotation and vibration transitions, often correspond to the terahertz spectral region. Consequently, there has been growing interest in applying terahertz technology within the food industry. This review summarizes the fundamental principles of terahertz spectroscopy for substance detection and highlights recent advances and applications in food analysis. Key applications include harmful contaminant detection, component analysis, quality assessment, and adulteration identification. Additionally, this review discusses current challenges in applying terahertz spectroscopy to food analysis, such as strong water absorption, matrix interference, and the lack of comprehensive spectral databases. Finally, the paper outlines future prospects, including the development of lightweight and cost-effective terahertz sources and detectors for on-site analysis, as well as the integration of terahertz spectroscopy with other modern detection technologies to enhance analytical performance. This work aims to serve as a reference for further research and development of terahertz spectroscopy in the food sector. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optical and Electrochemical Biosensors for Biological, Environmental, and Food Analysis)
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20 pages, 6592 KB  
Review
Electrochemical Biosensors 3D Printed by Fused Deposition Modeling: Actualities, Trends, and Challenges
by Luiz Ricardo Guterres Silva, Carlos Eduardo Costa Lopes, Auro Atsushi Tanaka, Luiza Maria Ferreira Dantas, Iranaldo Santos Silva and Jéssica Santos Stefano
Biosensors 2025, 15(1), 57; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15010057 - 17 Jan 2025
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2553
Abstract
The technology of 3D printing, particularly fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing, has revolutionized the development of electrochemical biosensors, offering a versatile and cost-effective approach for clinical applications. This review explores the integration of FDM in fabricating biosensing platforms tailored for clinical diagnostics, [...] Read more.
The technology of 3D printing, particularly fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing, has revolutionized the development of electrochemical biosensors, offering a versatile and cost-effective approach for clinical applications. This review explores the integration of FDM in fabricating biosensing platforms tailored for clinical diagnostics, emphasizing its role in detecting various biomarkers and viral pathogens. Advances in 3D printing materials, especially the emergence of bespoke conductive filaments, have allowed the production of highly customizable and efficient biosensors. A detailed discussion focuses on the design and application of these biosensors for viral detection, highlighting their potential to improve diagnostic accuracy. Furthermore, the review addresses current trends, including the push towards miniaturization and multianalyte detection, alongside challenges such as material optimization and regulatory hurdles. By providing a comprehensive overview, this work underscores the transformative impact of 3D-printed electrochemical biosensors in clinical diagnostics while also identifying critical areas for future research and development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optical and Electrochemical Biosensors for Biological, Environmental, and Food Analysis)
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