Smartphone-based biosensors for portable food evaluation

Abstract

Rapid and accurate analysis of food draws considerable attention in the modern pace of the world due to the close relationship between human health and food safety. Traditional detection technologies for food evaluation are often restricted by high cost, lengthy time, bulky instruments and trained personnel. The marriage of biosensors with smartphones enables the development of powerful analysis platforms for food evaluation including detection of food contaminants, toxins, pathogens, allergens and nutrition. Here, we provide an overview of recent developments on smartphone-based biosensors for portable food evaluation. Owing to operability, connectivity, portability and built-in sensors, smartphones have become ideal control, interaction and analysis tools in the on-site sensing systems. Fusion of smartphones with different kinds of sensitive and selective biosensors enables to develop portable and user-friendly analytical devices. In addition to introducing technical principles, detection methods and selected applications in food science, challenges and future perspectives for smartphone-based biosensors are also discussed.