Article

Recent advances in point-of-care testing for monitoring the freshness, safety, and quality of fish and fishery products: Analytical overview from biosensors to integrated lab-on-chip

Suleiman Ibrahim MohammadINTI International University, Negeri Sembilan 71800, MalaysiaHaneen Fadhil JasimMedical Laboratory Techniques Department, College of Health and Medical Technology, University of Al-maarif, Anbar, IraqAsokan VasudevanShinawatra University, 99 Moo 10, Bangtoey, Samkhok, Pathum Thani 12160, ThailandHijran Sanaan JabbarDepartment of Chemistry, College of Science, Salahaddin University-Erbil, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, IraqA.K. Abdul KareemBiomedical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Al-Mustaqbal University, Hillah 51001, Babil, IraqZahraa Al-KhafajiDepartment of Medical Analysis, Medical Laboratory Technique College, the Islamic University of Babylon, Babylon, IraqI.B. SapaevSchool of Engineering, Central Asian University, Tashkent 111221, UzbekistanKavithaDepartment of Chemistry, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, IndiaSubhashree RayInstitute of Medical Sciences and Sum HospitalVipasha SharmaDepartment of Biotechnology, University Institute of Biotechnology, Chandigarh University, Mohali, Punjab, India

2026en

ABI

Abstract

The role of fish as one of the most important sources of high-quality protein and beneficial compounds in the human diet is undeniable. They are highly susceptible to microbial and non-microbial decomposition due to the unique nutritional composition and specific conditions of aquatic environments. Conventional methods have been applied for analysis of fish and fishery products. These methods suffer from limitations that restrict their practical application. Biosensors are highly potential analytical methods for analysis in fish and fishery products due to their several advantages, such as convenience, reliability, and accuracy. Nevertheless, their application in resource-limited settings is limited by the need to transport samples to a laboratory. Point-of-care testing (POCT) has played an important role in introducing portable and on-site sensing approaches. In this review, we focus on the classification of POCT based on electrochemical and optical techniques that have been developed for various fish species and fishery products analysis, targeting contaminants and freshness indicators such as heavy metals, biogenic amines, dyes, toxins, and antibiotics residues. In addition, recent advances in POCT methods for fish analysis, such as paper-based, polymer-based, microneedles-based, and cloth-based lab-on-chip devices, are highlighted. The review further explores the importance of innovative materials in designing POCT devices.

Identifiers

DOI: 10.1016/j.jfca.2026.108979

Citations and references

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