Biosensors and the evaluation of food contaminant biosensors in terms of their performance criteria

Biosensor technology has been extensively investigated for determination of several analytes in clinical diagnosis, food analysis and environmental monitoring. A biosensor includes three parts; a transducer, a bioreceptor (biorecognition element) and a signal processing system. Biorecognition elements are important components of a biosensor because they recognise the target analytes of interest. To obtain a sensitive and a reproducible biosensor, nanomaterials are used as modification elements of transducer. They represent important promise as biorecognition element immobilisation platforms for the biosensor fabrication. This mini review summarises the biosensor’ features, the factors affect its performance and nanomaterials, which are used as modification elements in food analysis area. After a brief description of the biosensors and nanomaterials, the developed biosensors in literature were investigated by means of tables. Linear ranges, LODs, reproducibilities, stabilities of developed biosensors are compared.