Optical lateral flow test strip biosensors for pesticides: Recent advances and future trends

Abstract Increasing concerns on pesticide residues in different matrices have promoted the development of various analytical techniques. Benefiting from highly-specific recognition elements and diverse signal transduction technologies, optical lateral flow test strip (LFTS) biosensors have realized the ideal candidates. They integrated the high sensitivity and stability of optical monitoring and the unique simplicity, portability, low cost, and user-friendliness of LFTS assay. The past few decades have witnessed the rapid advances of optical LFTS biosensors to meet the market and social demand for pesticide detection. Therefore, this review first summarizes the architecture and detection principle of the emerging optical LFTS biosensors for single-target inspection and multiplexed detection of pesticides through the elaborate design of different proof-of-concept types. Then, from the perspective of the design strategies and practical requirements, the primary emphasis is concentrated on the recent advances of proposed optical LFTS biosensors for pesticide detection over the past five years. A special highlight was made on colorimetric, fluorescent, chemiluminescent, and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy sensors through several representative state-of-the-art examples. Beside a comprehensive discussion of the advantages of these emerging optical LFTS biosensors in real application for pesticide monitoring, their potential limitations, together with current challenges and future trends are critically summarized. It is expected to afford a clear understanding and deep inspiration to researchers regarding the rapid development and practical application of more optical LFTS biosensors in analytical chemistry, food inspection, and environmental monitoring, etc.