Paper-based biosensors based on multiple recognition modes for visual detection of microbially contaminated food

Microbially contaminated food can cause serious health hazards and economic losses, therefore sensitive, rapid, and highly specific visual detection is called for. Traditional detection of microorganisms is complex and time-consuming, which cannot meet current testing demands. The emergence of paper-based biosensors provided an effective method for efficient and visual detection of microorganisms, due to its high speed, all-in-one device, low cost, and convenience. This review focused on 5 biomarkers, namely nucleic acids, proteins, lipopolysaccharides, metabolites, and the whole microorganism of microorganisms. Besides, the recognition methods were summed up in 5 forms, including immunological recognition, aptamer recognition, nucleic acid amplification-mediated recognition, DNAzyme recognition and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats mediated recognition. In addition, we summarized the applications of paper-based biosensors in the detection of microorganisms thoroughly. Through the exploration of different biomarkers, identification methods, and applications, we hope to provide a reference for the development of paper-based biosensors and their application in safeguarding the food chain.