Principles and Recent Advances in Biosensors for Pathogens Detection

Abstract Foodborne and waterborne diseases caused by pathogens pose a serious threat to human life, and the detection of such pathogens in food, water, and beverages has gained paramount importance in view of the increasing number of pathogenic diseases in recent times. Standard and traditional analytical techniques employed for the recognition of deadly pathogens, including polymerase chain reaction‐based techniques, immunology‐based assays, culture and colony counting techniques, require several hours or perhaps even a few days for the results. All these techniques, despite being quite sensitive, are time‐intensive. Therefore, several researchers are focusing on the development of rapid pathogen detection techniques. Although the most advanced biosensing technologies exhibit potential approaches, significant research and testing is an urgent need to design innovative biosensors. Novel bioanalytical approaches for the recognition and quantification of target pathogens are being designed and developed to enhance the characteristics of biosensors, including rapid response, selectivity, and sensitivity. In this context, we not only provide an overview of the types of biorecognition elements employed for the detection of pathogens, but also discuss in detail the traditional approaches, biomolecular techniques, the latest advances in the detection and quantification of foodborne and waterborne pathogens, with particular emphasis on biosensors.