Chapter 2: Quantum Dots in the Analysis of Food Safety and Quality Check Access

The detection of chemical residues, toxins, pathogens and allergens contaminating food and water is of utmost importance to society. Although numerous strategies have been developed to detect, isolate and identify potential threats in food, there remains great demand for assays that enhance the speed, sensitivity and selectivity of detection in formats that are simple, portable and low cost. Quantum dots are brightly fluorescent semiconductor nanocrystals with many physical and optical properties that can help address the challenges associated with developing improved assays for food safety and quality. This chapter summarizes research toward the utilization of quantum dots in assays for the detection of analytes such as pathogens, pesticides, antibiotics and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). A short primer on the properties and bioconjugation of quantum dots is also included. Numerous studies have demonstrated the potential for quantum dots to enhance analytical figures of merit in food safety and quality assays; however, strategic research is needed to develop quantum dot-enabled assays that will have the greatest opportunity to impact food safety practices in industry and society.