Development and Application of Biosensors in the Food Field

Dear Colleagues,

In the field of food science and safety, the advent of biosensors has revolutionized the way we detect and monitor contaminants, nutrients, and other critical analytes. Foods is pleased to introduce this Special Issue, which aims to present the latest advancements, innovative applications, and future perspectives of biosensors in the food industry. This compilation of research articles and reviews will provide a comprehensive overview of innovations in biosensor development and their implementation in the enhancement of food safety, quality, and nutrition.

Biosensors, due to their high sensitivity, specificity, and rapid response, have become indispensable tools for real-time monitoring and on-site testing in the food sector. They offer a viable alternative to traditional analytical methods, which are often labor-intensive, time-consuming, and require sophisticated equipment. The integration of biological recognition elements with transducing components has enabled the creation of portable devices that can detect a wide array of targets, from mycotoxins and pesticides to nutrients and pathogens, with unparalleled precision.

This Special Issue compiles a diverse array of contributions that highlight the multidisciplinary nature of biosensor research. We welcome the submission of original research articles that present groundbreaking findings regarding the development of novel biosensors for the detection of foodborne pathogens and toxins, as well as review articles that provide in-depth analyses of existing technologies and their applications. This Special Issue also features perspectives on challenges and opportunities in the field, including discussions on sensor stability, reproducibility, and the integration of biosensors with digital platforms for data analysis and interpretation.

We invite you to explore the cutting-edge research and thought-provoking discussions within this Special Issue, and we hope that the insights gained will inspire further advancements in the field of biosensor technology for the food sector. Manuscripts should be submitted through the journal's online submission system and will undergo rigorous peer review.

Scope of the Special Issue:

The scope of this Special Issue includes, but is not limited to, the following topics:

• Novel Biosensor Technologies: Innovations in biosensor design, including the use of new materials, nanotechnology, and microfluidics for enhanced sensitivity and specificity.
• Detection of Foodborne Pathogens: The development of biosensors for the rapid detection and identification of bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens in food products.
• Mycotoxin and Pesticide Detection: Biosensors for monitoring mycotoxins and pesticide residues in agricultural products and foodstuffs.
• Food Allergen Detection: Innovative biosensors for the detection of allergenic substances in food to ensure safety for consumers with allergies.
• Nutrient Analysis: Applications of biosensors in the analysis of nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients, for quality control and nutritional labeling.
• Food Adulteration and Authentication: The use of biosensors to detect adulteration and authenticate the origin of food products, including detection of counterfeit ingredients.
• Environmental Monitoring in Food Production: Biosensors for monitoring environmental parameters in food production areas, such as water quality and air contaminants.
• Food Safety and Quality Control: The implementation of biosensors in food processing facilities for real-time monitoring of safety and quality parameters.
• Portable and On-Site Biosensors: Development of portable biosensing devices for on-site testing in field conditions, such as farms, processing plants, and retail environments.
• Data Integration and Digital Platforms: The integration of biosensors with digital platforms for data collection, analysis, and real-time decision-making in the food supply chain.
• Regulatory Aspects and Standards: Discussion on the regulatory frameworks, standards, and guidelines that govern the use of biosensors in food safety and quality assessment.
• Challenges and Future Perspectives: Analysis of current challenges faced in the field, such as sensor stability, reproducibility, and cost-effectiveness, along with future directions for research and development.
• Interdisciplinary Approaches: The use of interdisciplinary approaches that combine expertise from fields such as biology, chemistry, engineering, data science, and food science.

Foods is committed to providing a platform that enables researchers, industry practitioners, and policymakers to share their findings, discuss challenges, and explore collaborative opportunities in the field of biosensors for the food industry. We look forward to receiving your groundbreaking work and to presenting the innovative research that will be featured in this Special Issue.

Dr. Long Wu
Dr. Sihang Zhang
Dr. Hongji Li
Guest Editors

Dr. Rui Chen
Guest Editor Assistant

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. Foods is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• biosensors
• food safety
• mycotoxin detection
• pesticide residue analysis
• pathogen detection
• food allergen screening
• nutrient analysis
• food authentication
• environmental monitoring
• quality control
• portable biosensors
• on-site testing
• nanotechnology
• microfluidics
• digital integration
• data analytics
• foodborne illness prevention
• aptasensors
• electrochemical biosensors
• optical biosensors
• immunosensors