Carbon nanomaterials-based smart dual-mode sensors for colorimetric and fluorescence detection of foodborne hazards

Background: Foodborne hazards are substances potentially present in food that cause harm to human health. If mishandled or inadequately tested, these hazards have the potential to contaminate food, entering the human body through the food chain, thereby causing foodborne illnesses and posing a risk to human health. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct research on the detection of foodborne hazards. Through accurate detection of hazardous substances in food, food safety issues can be identified and controlled in a timely manner to ultimately protect public health. Scope and approach: This review systematically discusses the applications of carbon nanomaterials-based colorimetric and fluorescent dual-mode sensors toward foodborne hazards in food matrices. Both the advantages and disadvantages of carbon nanomaterials-based colorimetric and fluorescent dual-mode sensors are compared with those of conventional methods in the detection of foodborne hazards in detail. In addition, the mechanisms of carbon nanomaterials-based colorimetric and fluorescent dual-mode sensors toward foodborne hazards are discussed and highlighted as well. Key findings and conclusions: The carbon nanomaterials-based colorimetric and fluorescent dual-mode sensors can detect foodborne hazards sensitively, efficiently, conveniently and reliably. Future research will focus on developing smart carbon nanomaterials-based trimodal and even more modes sensors for onsite efficient pointof-care testing of foodborne hazards in complex food matrices, safeguarding food safety and public health.