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Biosensing based on upconversion nanoparticles for food quality and safety applications
Riikka Peltomaa1, Elena Benito-Peña, Hans H Gorris
1Department of Biochemistry/Biotechnology, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520, Turku, Finland.
The Analyst
|November 18, 2020
Summary
Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) offer sensitive detection of food contaminants. Their unique optical properties enable accurate food safety analysis without background interference, enhancing consumer protection.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Food safety and quality control demand sensitive analytical methods for contaminant detection.
- Biorecognition elements and transduction schemes facilitate rapid food contaminant analysis.
- Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) are inorganic nanocrystals with unique light-converting properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evolution and applications of UCNPs in biosensing for food safety and quality monitoring.
- To highlight the advantages of UCNPs as optical labels in biosensing.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing UCNPs as optical labels for biosensing platforms.
- Leveraging UCNPs' photophysical properties (near-infrared to visible light conversion, narrow emission, large anti-Stokes shift).
- Detecting food contaminants with minimal optical background interference.
Main Results:
- UCNPs demonstrate excellent optical properties for biosensing applications.
- Their unique features allow for detection without interference from the sample matrix.
- UCNPs have been successfully developed into biosensing platforms for food analysis.
Conclusions:
- UCNP-based biosensing is a promising technique for food safety and quality assessment.
- The unique optical characteristics of UCNPs overcome limitations of traditional detection methods.
- Further applications of UCNPs in food analysis are anticipated.
