A Review of Sensing Applications of Molecularly Imprinted Fluorescent Carbon Dots for Food and Biological Sample Analysis

Molecularly imprinted fluorescent carbon dots (MI-FCDs) find numerous applications in analytical chemistry due to their outstanding photoluminescent properties and having specific pockets for the recognition of target molecules. Despite significant advances, practical applications of MI-FCDs-based fluorescent sensors are still in their initial stages. Therefore, the topical developments in the synthesis, working, and application of MI-FCDs for sensing various target species (e.g., pharmaceuticals, biomolecules, pesticides, food additives, and miscellaneous species) in food and biological media have been highlighted. Moreover, a careful evaluation has been made to select the best methods based on their performance in terms of analytical parameters. To expand the horizons of this field, important challenges and future directions for developing MI-FCDs for practical use are also presented. This review will highlight important aspects of MI-FCDs-based fluorescent sensors for their applicability in food science, material science, environmental science, nanoscience, and biotechnology.