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A special issue of Biosensors (ISSN 2079-6374). This special issue belongs to the section "Biosensor and Bioelectronic Devices".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 June 2023) | Viewed by 11802

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Qi Zhang

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Guest Editor

National Reference Lab for Agricultural Testing (Biotoxin), Key Lab of Detection for Mycotoxin, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs PRC, Lab of Quality & Safety Risk Assessment for Oilseeds Products (Wuhan), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs PRC, Oil Crops Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430062, China
Interests: fluorescence immunosensor; functional biomaterials and nanomaterials for capture; analysis; diagnosis; warning; prevention of and reduction in toxins
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Prof. Dr. Jianhan Lin

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Guest Editor

Key Laboratory of Agricultural Information Acquisition Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Key Laboratory of Modern Precision Agriculture System Integration Research, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
Interests: biosensors; microfluidic chips; magnetic separation; food safety; animal disease control
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Haibo Huang

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Guest Editor

Department of Food Science & Technology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
Interests: developing food- and bio-processing technologies to produce food ingredients, animal feed, and green chemicals from agricultural and food products to improve the sustainability of the food production chain. Exploring novel solutions (e.g., fermentation, extraction, fractionation, etc.) to convert food waste/byproducts into value-added products.
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Food safety has become a hot issue concerned by governments, people and society. Biosensors have been playing a greater vital role in monitoring agro-products and their production process to ensure end-foods’ quality and safety, and they usually demonstrate a lot of benefits, such as being sensitive, rapid, portable, cheap and especially suitable for on-site testing. So, this topic will concern the development of biosensors and analytical methods, especially for chemicals, microorganisms, biotoxins in agriculture, environment and food samples. It is suggested that biosensors should be in line with the trend of five “S”, Sensitivity, Specificity (Selection), Speed, Simultaneously, Small (Smart), and that all detection methods should be validated using agriculture, environment or food samples. Interdisciplinary research and integrative application research related to biosensors are also encouraged, including review articles and research articles.

Prof. Dr. Qi Zhang
Prof. Dr. Jianhan Lin
Dr. Haibo Huang
Guest Editors

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.

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Keywords

biosensors
agro-products
environment
food detection
food quality

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

Open AccessArticle

An Integrated Microfluidic Biosensing System Based on a Versatile Valve and Recombinase Polymerase Amplification for Rapid and Sensitive Detection of Salmonella typhimurium

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Biosensors 2023, 13(8), 790; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios13080790 - 04 Aug 2023

Viewed by 471

Abstract

Detecting foodborne pathogens on-site is crucial for ensuring food safety, necessitating the development of rapid, cost-effective, highly sensitive, and portable devices. This paper presents an integrated microfluidic biosensing system designed for the rapid and sensitive detection of Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhimurium). The biosensing system comprises a microfluidic chip with a versatile valve, a recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) for nucleic acid detection, and a customized real-time fluorescence detection system. The versatile valve combines the functions of an active valve and a magnetic actuation mixer, enabling on-demand mixing and controlling fluid flow. Quantitative fluorescence is processed and detected through a custom-built smartphone application. The proposed integrated microfluidic biosensing system could detect Salmonella at concentrations as low as 1.0 × 10² copies/µL within 30 min, which was consistent with the results obtained from the real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) tests. With its versatile valve, this integrated microfluidic biosensing system holds significant potential for on-site detection of foodborne pathogens. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biosensors for Agriculture, Environment and Food)

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Open AccessArticle

Optimization of SAW Sensors for Nanoplastics and Grapevine Virus Detection

Silvia Rizzato

Anna Grazia Monteduro

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Biosensors 2023, 13(2), 197; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios13020197 - 28 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1422

Abstract

In this work, we report the parametric optimization of surface acoustic wave (SAW) delay lines on Lithium niobate for environmental monitoring applications. First, we show that the device performance can be improved by acting opportunely on geometrical design parameters of the interdigital transducers such as the number of finger pairs, the finger overlap length and the distance between the emitter and the receiver. Then, the best-performing configuration is employed to realize SAW sensors. As aerosol particulate matter (PM) is a major threat, we first demonstrate a capability for the detection of polystyrene particles simulating nanoparticulates/nanoplastics, and achieve a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.3 ng, beyond the present state-of-the-art. Next, the SAW sensors were used for the first time to implement diagnostic tools able to detect Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3), one of the most widespread viruses in wine-growing areas, outperforming electrochemical impedance sensors thanks to a five-times better LOD. These two proofs of concept demonstrate the ability of miniaturized SAW sensors for carrying out on-field monitoring campaigns and their potential to replace the presently used heavy and expensive laboratory instrumentation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biosensors for Agriculture, Environment and Food)

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Open AccessArticle

Biosensing Chlorpyrifos in Environmental Water Samples by a Newly Developed Carbon Nanoparticle-Based Indirect Lateral Flow Assay

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Biosensors 2022, 12(9), 735; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios12090735 - 07 Sep 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1531

Abstract

Pesticides are used in agriculture to prevent pests. Chlorpyrifos (CHLP) is an insecticide with potentially detrimental effects on humans, bees, and the aquatic environment. Its effects have led to a total ban by the European Union (EU), but outside the EU, CHLP is still produced and used. An indirect lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) for the detection of CHLP was developed and integrated into a cassette to create a lateral flow device (LFD). Species-specific reporter antibodies were coupled to carbon nanoparticles to create a detector conjugate. Water samples were mixed with a specific CHLP monoclonal antibody and detector conjugate and applied to the LFD. Dose-response curves elicited the detection of low concentrations of CHLP (<1 µg/L). This sensitivity was recorded through a rapid handheld digital imaging device but also visually by naked eye. The CHLP LFD was applied to a range of European surface water samples, fortified with CHLP, revealing a sensitivity in these matrices of 2 µg/L, both by digital and visual analysis. To improve the simplicity of the CHLP LFIA, the assay reagents were dried in tubes, enabling to carry out the test by simply adding water samples and inserting the LFIA strips. This CHLP LFIA is thus suited for the on-site screening of surface waters. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biosensors for Agriculture, Environment and Food)

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Open AccessArticle

Trace Immunosensing of Multiple Neonicotinoid Insecticides by a Novel Broad-Specific Antibody Obtained from a Rational Screening Strategy

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Biosensors 2022, 12(9), 716; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios12090716 - 03 Sep 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1048

Abstract

Residues of neonicotinoid pesticides have potential risks to food, environmental and biological safety. In this study, the hapten toward imidacloprid was adopted to gain antibodies. After molecular modeling, the electrostatic potentials of eight commonly-used neonicotinoid pesticides were individually calculated to analyze the structural similarity. Two representative compounds (imidacloprid and acetamiprid) with moderate similarity were rationally selected for hybridoma screening. Using this strategy, four clones of broad-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against multiple neonicotinoids were obtained, and the clone 6F11 exhibited the broadest spectrum to six neonicotinoid pesticides and two metabolites, with half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) ranging from 0.20 to 5.92 ng/mL. Then, the novel antibody gene was sequenced and successfully expressed in full-length IgG form using mammalian cells. Based on the sensitive recombinant antibody, a gold lateral-flow immunosensing strip assay was developed and it was qualified for rapid detection of imidacloprid, clothianidin or imidaclothiz residues in food samples. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biosensors for Agriculture, Environment and Food)

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Open AccessArticle

Nanocomposite of MgFe₂O₄ and Mn₃O₄ as Polyphenol Oxidase Mimic for Sensing of Polyphenols

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Biosensors 2022, 12(6), 428; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios12060428 - 17 Jun 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1938

Abstract

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) mimics have advantage of detection and remediation of polyphenols. This work demonstrates rapid and sensitive colorimetric detection of phenolic compounds using nanocomposite of magnesium ferrite (MgFe₂O₄) and manganese oxide (Mn₃O₄) nanoparticles as PPO mimic. The catalytic properties of MgFe₂O₄ and Mn₃O₄ displayed synergistic effect in the nanocomposite. The synthesized nanocomposite and nanoparticles were fully characterized using various analytical techniques. The ratio of MgFe₂O₄ and Mn₃O₄ in the nanocomposite was optimized. Catechol and resorcinol were taken as model polyphenols. The best PPO-activity was shown by MgFe₂O₄@Mn₃O₄ nanocomposite with of w/w ratio 1:2. The results correlated with its higher surface area. Reaction parameters viz. pH, temperature, contact time, substrate concentration, and nanoparticles dose were studied. The synthesized MgFe₂O₄@Mn₃O₄ nanocomposite was used for the detection of catechol in the linear range of 0.1–0.8 mM with the detection limit of 0.20 mM, and resorcinol in the range of 0.01–0.08 mM with the detection limit of 0.03 mM. The estimated total phenolic content of green and black tea correlated well with the conventional method. These results authenticate promising future potential of MgFe₂O₄@Mn₃O₄ nanocomposite as PPO-mimic Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biosensors for Agriculture, Environment and Food)

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Open AccessArticle

A Fluorescent Biosensor for Sensitive Detection of Salmonella Typhimurium Using Low-Gradient Magnetic Field and Deep Learning via Faster Region-Based Convolutional Neural Network

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Biosensors 2021, 11(11), 447; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios11110447 - 11 Nov 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1800

Abstract

In this study, a fluorescent biosensor was developed for the sensitive detection of Salmonella typhimurium using a low-gradient magnetic field and deep learning via faster region-based convolutional neural networks (R-CNN) to recognize the fluorescent spots on the bacterial cells. First, magnetic nanobeads (MNBs) coated with capture antibodies were used to separate target bacteria from the sample background, resulting in the formation of magnetic bacteria. Then, fluorescein isothiocyanate fluorescent microspheres (FITC-FMs) modified with detection antibodies were used to label the magnetic bacteria, resulting in the formation of fluorescent bacteria. After the fluorescent bacteria were attracted against the bottom of an ELISA well using a low-gradient magnetic field, resulting in the conversion from a three-dimensional (spatial) distribution of the fluorescent bacteria to a two-dimensional (planar) distribution, the images of the fluorescent bacteria were finally collected using a high-resolution fluorescence microscope and processed using the faster R-CNN algorithm to calculate the number of the fluorescent spots for the determination of target bacteria. Under the optimal conditions, this biosensor was able to quantitatively detect Salmonella typhimurium from 6.9 × 10¹ to 1.1 × 10³ CFU/mL within 2.5 h with the lower detection limit of 55 CFU/mL. The fluorescent biosensor has the potential to simultaneously detect multiple types of foodborne bacteria using MNBs coated with their capture antibodies and different fluorescent microspheres modified with their detection antibodies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biosensors for Agriculture, Environment and Food)

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Open AccessArticle

An Electrochemical Enzyme Biosensor for Ammonium Detection in Aquaculture Using Screen-Printed Electrode Modified by Gold Nanoparticle/Polymethylene Blue

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Biosensors 2021, 11(9), 335; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios11090335 - 13 Sep 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2477

Abstract

A SPEC/AuNPs/PMB modified electrode was prepared by electrodeposition and electro-polymerization. The electrochemical behavior of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) on the surface of the modified electrode was studied by cyclic voltammetry. A certain amount of substrate and glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) were coated on the modified electrode to form a functional enzyme membrane. The ammonia nitrogen in the water sample could be calculated indirectly by measuring the consumption of NADH in the reaction. The results showed that the strength of electro-catalytic current signal was increased by two times; the catalytic oxidation potential was shifted to the left by 0.5 V, and the anti-interference ability of the sensor was enhanced. The optimum substrate concentration and enzyme loading were determined as 1.3 mM NADH, 28 mM α-Ketoglutarate and 2.0 U GLDH, respectively. The homemade ceramic heating plate controlled the working electrode to work at 37 °C. A pH compensation algorithm based on piecewise linear interpolation could reduce the measurement error to less than 3.29 μM. The biosensor exhibited good linearity in the range of 0~300 μM with a detection limit of 0.65 μM NH₄⁺. Compared with standard Nessler’s method, the recoveries were 93.71~105.92%. The biosensor was found to be stable for at least 14 days when refrigerated and sealed at 4 °C. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biosensors for Agriculture, Environment and Food)

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