Nanomaterials based sensors for detecting key pathogens in food and water: developments from recent decades

Across the world, the contamination of food and water generally originated through the pathogens causing various diseases in human beings. The management and conduct of food and water quality is an emerging need to be taken in concern for the health of the public and the surrounding environment. The early and prompt system of detection of the pathogens and the contamination is quite pivotal to prohibit them. There are various techniques that have been already studied and explored to a larger extent for the authentic identification, detection and recognition of the microorganisms being present in the food sample. The development in the nanoscience and technology has further provided the biosensors with new outlook and architecture by utilizing the nanomaterials and structures for elevating their performance. The triumphant amalgamation of nanoscience and technology as a stage for food and water sensors provides enormous advantages in the observation of pathogens specifically in food safety and quality based applications. Food safety and quality are the most vital facets and has grabbed the attention of public health. The consumers across the globe have started demanding food products that are completely free from contaminants. Considering to their prodigious small size, nanomaterials exhibit peculiar physically and chemically properties. The sensors based on nanomaterials could be extensively utilized for the detection of food and water contaminants. Nanosensor is an improved model of a chemical or biosensor exploiting nanomaterial in a logical device. The major difference among them is that chemical sensors make use of the chemical reagent, whereas the biosensor utilizes a bioreagent, as reported in a number of literatures. Furthermore, the large surface area possessed by the nano-biosensor materials is contemplated as a prominent advantage as compared to the typical devices, and plays a vital role in the sensitivity and the ultra-dynamic quick response of the devices. They possess tremendous capabilities and potential to transform the present scenario and are able to contribute significantly towards the progress in the ongoing research on the detection and study of pathogens. As compared to the conventional methods we can surely acclaim that the nanosensors are far more frugal, convenient and economical. The contemporary trends in the developments of the nanosensors may definitely offer more applications regarding their utilization in the detection of the contamination of food. The present chapter emphasizes on the challenges, opportunities and the utilization of nanomaterials based sensors for the detection and eradication of pathogens and the contaminants present in the food and water.