Bromide perovskite quantum dot fluorescent sensors for food safety: Advances in pesticide and mycotoxin detection

Bromide-based perovskite quantum dots (Br-PQDs), especially CsPbBr 3 , have attracted increasing attention for food safety applications due to their tunable fluorescence, high quantum yield (QY), and facile functionalization. This review summarizes recent advances in using Br-PQDs as fluorescent probes for detecting pesticide residues and mycotoxins—two major classes of toxic contaminants in food matrices. Emphasis is placed on key sensing mechanisms such as Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), photoinduced electron transfer (PET), and inner filter effect (IFE), as well as on strategies to enhance stability via silica encapsulation, MOFs, and polymer coatings. Various recognition elements, including molecularly imprinted polymers, aptamers, and antibodies, are discussed for achieving selectivity in complex samples. Practical applications in grains, fruits, beverages, and oils demonstrate detection limits in the sub-ng/mL range. Comparative advantages over conventional methods (e.g., HPLC-MS/MS, ELISA) in terms of portability, speed, and cost-effectiveness are highlighted. Future prospects in multiplexed sensing, smartphone integration and lead-free alternatives are also discussed. • First review on Br-PQDs for pesticide and mycotoxin detection in food. • FRET, PET, and IFE mechanisms enhance sensing in food matrices. • Portable Br-PQD sensors offer rapid, cost-effective food safety monitoring.