Molecularly imprinted polymer-based optical sensors for pesticides in foods: Recent advances and future trends

Pesticide residues due to overuse and abuse in foods and relevant matrices have posed a serious threat to public health in the world. Highly selective and sensitive detection of diverse pesticides is of great urgency and importance in food safety control. Molecular imprinted polymer (MIP)-based optical sensors with MIPs as recognition elements have become the fascinating candidates for pesticide monitoring in various real samples due to its excellent stability, reusability and low production cost. And the high-quality publications on MIP-based optical sensors for pesticide detection have grown exponentially. In this review, we first discuss the current state-of-the-art of synthesis approaches and application of MIPs. Then, we give a comprehensive overview on the recent advances of the emerging MIP-based optical sensors for pesticide detection in food systems over the past five years, with a particular emphasis on fluorescent, colorimetric, chemiluminescent, electrochemiluminescent, surface plasmon resonance and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy sensors. Beyond a highlight of the real-world application and advantages of these proposed sensors, we also address their current challenges and future trends, as well as the ongoing efforts and strategies for developing novel highly-effective MIP-based optical sensing platforms. This review will open up new horizons regarding MIP-based optical sensors for wide application in food safety.