Advances in nanomaterial-based microfluidic platforms for on-site detection of foodborne bacteria

Rapid, efficient, and accurate detection of foodborne bacteria is important for public health and food safety; however, point-of-care testing remains a limiting factor in the field. Compared with traditional methods, the use of microfluidic chips in monitoring foodborne bacteria has the advantages of miniaturization, automation, integration, high throughput, and low consumption. Notably, the combination of nanomaterials with microfluidics further provides an improved method of pathogen detection with superior, rapid, and sensitive detection efficiencies. This review presents a broad overview of a wide range of microfluidic chips, including the magnetic nanomaterial-based assay, metal nanomaterial-based assay, carbon nanomaterial-based assay, quantum dot-based assay, and upconversion nanoparticle-based assay, for the detection of foodborne bacteria using different nanomaterials. Additionally, the main challenges that exist for translation of scientific research into product development are discussed. On this basis, we provide perspectives on both future technological directions and potential applications, which will guide researchers in identifying the most promising areas of development in this field.