Nanotechnology to Detect the Microbial Toxins in Stored Food

Abstract

The contamination and intoxication of food due to the action of microorganisms has become a common concern over the past several years. Food samples may be affected by pathogens during any stage of the harvesting process. These foodborne pathogens may induce disease, with an immediate action, or even a year after the initial infection, leading to severe health hazards. This explains the necessity for food sample analysis for the detection of toxins as well as the foodborne pathogens responsible for food contamination. There have been a variety of analytical techniques used for the detection of the toxins, however these techniques come with their own limitations and disadvantages. In order to overcome such challenges, nanotechnology has been proven to be a great method for developing cost-effective, sensitive, rapid and accurate techniques for the detection of microbial toxins. This chapter deals with the types of methods used for the detection of food toxicity, and the mode of action of nanomaterials used in food sensing and detecting the microbial toxins that can affect food quality.