Development of Rapid Detection Methods for Foodborne Micro/Trace Hazardous Substances

Dear Colleagues,

The development of rapid detection methods for foodborne micro/trace hazardous substances is a critical area of research in food safety. These methods include biosensors, immunoassays, molecular methods (PCR, qPCR and NGS), mass spectrometry, nanosensors, spectroscopy (FL, Raman and FTIR), microfluidic devices, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), Lab-on-a-Chip, omics technologies, electrochemical sensors and so on, with aims to quickly and accurately identify harmful microorganisms, toxins, allergens, chemical residues, and other contaminants in food products. Challenges in this field include sensitivity and specificity. Even trace amounts need to be detected, so methods must be extremely sensitive to avoid false negatives. Specificity is important to distinguish between harmful and benign substances. Additionally, the matrix effect must be considered—food matrices are complex and can interfere with detection, so sample preparation is crucial, but can complicate rapid testing. Cost and scalability are also issues; some advanced methods may be expensive or require specialized equipment. Regulatory approval is another hurdle, as new methods need validation before they can be widely adopted. However, advances in sensors, molecular techniques, nanotechnology, and AI are driving the field forward, offering more sensitive, specific, and rapid solutions for detecting contaminants in food. Continued research and innovation in this area will be crucial for addressing emerging food safety challenges and protecting consumers from foodborne illnesses.

Dr. Bo Zhang
Prof. Dr. Yukun Yang
Topic Editors