Significance of Photothermal Technology for Lateral Flow Immunoassay: Development and Applications in Food Safety Analysis

Contaminant residues in food and drinking water pose a significant threat to human health. Therefore, high-performance, on-site analytical methods are essential for effectively monitoring and controlling this risk. In recent years, photothermal lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) has garnered considerable attention as a point-of-care testing (POCT) method due to its rapid responsiveness, cost-effective portable instrumentation, and operational simplicity. In this context, considerable efforts have been dedicated to advancing photothermal LFIAs for food safety and control. This review aims to summarize the principles and assay formats of LFIAs, along with the sensing mechanisms underlying photothermal LFIAs. Furthermore, it provides an overview of recent developments in the functional modification of photothermal materials within LFIA systems for detecting harmful substances in food, including pathogenic bacteria, mycotoxins, hazardous organic pollutants, veterinary drug residues, and other organic contaminants. Additionally, the future directions and recent challenges hindering the practical application of photothermal LFIAs are briefly summarized.