Revolutionizing Food Safety: A Systematic Review of Nanotechnology-Based Aflatoxin Detection (2010–2023)

Food safety remains a critical global challenge, particularly due to contamination by aflatoxins (AFs), highly toxic secondary metabolites produced primarily by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus. This significant group of mycotoxins frequently contaminate staple food commodities, posing serious risks to public health, food security, and agricultural sustainability, thus the need for their detection in food. Conventional analytical methods, including chromatographic and immunochemical techniques, although highly accurate, are often time-consuming, resource-intensive, and dependent on sophisticated instrumentation and skilled personnel, thereby limiting their applicability in decentralized and resource-limited settings. Recent advances in detecting AFs in food matrices is nanoparticle-based, thus the focus in this systematic review. In this study, a systematic review that critically evaluates nanoparticle-based detection strategies for AFs in food, highlighting their potential to transform food safety monitoring was conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidelines. Data generated was subsequently reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and PRISMA framework. Peer-reviewed articles published between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2023 were systematically retrieved from multiple electronic databases. Study screening, eligibility assessment, and data extraction were independently performed using Covidence systematic review management software. A total of 38 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the qualitative synthesis. The findings demonstrate a strong predominance of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), attributed to their high surface-to-volume ratio, tunable surface chemistry, and exceptional optical properties, which collectively enhance assay sensitivity and signal transduction in immunosensing platforms. Notably, gold–silica core–shell nanoparticle-based assays achieved the lowest reported limit of detection (LOD) for Aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) of 0.24 pg/mL. Other nanomaterials, including carbon-based nanostructures and polymeric nanoparticles, also exhibited robust analytical performance, with reported LOD ranging from 0.5 pg/mL to 2.7 ng/mL, depending on the food matrix, nanomaterial type, and assay design. Overall, this systematic review highlights key trends in nanoparticle applications for AF detection and underscores their potential for rapid, highly sensitive, and field-deployable food safety diagnostic testing. Despite substantial progress, critical challenges related to scalability, reproducibility, standardization, and regulatory approval remain. Addressing these barriers will be essential for translating nanotechnology-based AF detection platforms from laboratory research into routine food safety surveillance and regulatory practice.