Nanoparticles-based lateral flow immunochromatographic strip for detection of foodborne pathogen: A review

Silu Hou; Tong Lin; Ziyi Ding; Shuxin Cui; Yafei Cao; Jingbo Jiao; Qing Kang; Xinjun Du

doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2025.146595

Nanoparticles-based lateral flow immunochromatographic strip for detection of foodborne pathogen: A review

Food Chem. 2025 Dec 25;496(Pt 1):146595. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2025.146595. Epub 2025 Oct 9.

Authors

Silu Hou¹, Tong Lin², Ziyi Ding², Shuxin Cui², Yafei Cao², Jingbo Jiao², Qing Kang³, Xinjun Du⁴

Affiliations

¹ State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, College of Food Science and Engineering, Demonstration Center of Food Quality and Safety Testing Technology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China. Electronic address: housilu@tust.edu.cn.
² State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, College of Food Science and Engineering, Demonstration Center of Food Quality and Safety Testing Technology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China.
³ State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, College of Food Science and Engineering, Demonstration Center of Food Quality and Safety Testing Technology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China. Electronic address: kangqing@tust.edu.cn.
⁴ State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, College of Food Science and Engineering, Demonstration Center of Food Quality and Safety Testing Technology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China. Electronic address: xjdu@tust.edu.cn.

PMID: 41082817
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2025.146595

Abstract

The harmful effects of foodborne pathogens (such as Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes) on human health are one of the widely concerned food safety issues worldwide. Traditional methods for detecting foodborne pathogens are often cumbersome, time-consuming, and costly. It is necessary to develop fast, simple, and sensitive detection technologies. Recently, the lateral flow immunochromatography (LFIA) has attracted attention. Here, we summarize the latest developments in the detection of common foodborne pathogens using recognition elements such as antibodies, single chain antibodies, peptides, nanobodies, and phages in 2020-2024. We discussed how to apply colorimetric nanoparticles, luminescent nanomaterials, photothermal nanomaterials, and magnetic nanomaterials to LFIA for detecting foodborne pathogens. Representative examples have been selected to illustrate the potential mechanisms of each strategy in augmenting signal strength, along with their prospective applications in LFIA. Finally, the advantages, limitations, challenges, and opportunities of using LFIA for the diagnosis of foodborne pathogens were discussed.

Keywords: Colorimetric nanoparticles; Foodborne pathogens; Lateral flow immunochromatographic strip; Luminescent nanomaterials; Photothermal nanomaterials; Recognition elements.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Bacteria* / isolation & purification
Chromatography, Affinity* / instrumentation
Chromatography, Affinity* / methods
Food Contamination* / analysis
Food Microbiology* / instrumentation
Foodborne Diseases* / diagnosis
Foodborne Diseases* / microbiology
Humans
Nanoparticles* / chemistry