Applications of surface functionalized Fe₃O₄ NPs-based detection methods in food safety

Food safety has always been an issue of great concern to people. The development of rapid, sensitive and specific detection technology of food pollutants is one of the hot issues in food science field. The rapid development of functionalized Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (NPs) provides unprecedented opportunities and technical support for the innovation of food safety detection. The surface functionalized Fe₃O₄ NPs, which combine superparamagnetic with nanoscale feature, have become an excellent tool for food quality and safety detection. This review highlights the mechanism, principles, and applications of surface functionalized Fe₃O₄ NPs-based detection technique in the agrifood industry. Then the relevant characteristics, functional roles and general mechanisms of nanomaterial-based detection of various endogenous components and exogenous pollutants in foods are discussed in detail. Ultimately, this review is expected to promote the optimization of functionalized Fe₃O₄ NPs and provide direction for the diversity of signal recognition and the sustainability of detection methods.