Innovative colorimetric sensor for detection of nandrolone as a doping agent in sports using MOF nanostructures

Abstract

This study was conducted on developing a colorimetric aptasensor based on bimetallic Zn-Fe metal-organic framework (MOF) nanostructures and an application for the determination of nandrolone (ND) as doping anabolic steroid agents in sports. The aptasensor was synthesized by functionalizing Zn-Fe MOF nanoparticles with amino groups, followed by the conjugation of carboxyl-activated aptamers specific to ND. The performance of the aptasensor was assessed through a TMB-H₂O₂ colorimetric assay, highlighting great selectivity and sensitivity for ND’s detection range of 0.005–1000 µM and a limit of detection of 0.85 nM. The comparison of the performance of the current study and the other ND sensor reports exhibited the supreme sensitivity and dynamic range of the Zn-Fe MOF based aptasensor. The aptasensor showed appropriate stability, retaining 96.77 % of its initial response after 21 days and 93.13 % after 30 days, indicating its appropriate long-term applications. In the examination of sensor capability for the determination of ND in human serum and urine samples, results displayed excellent recovery rates from 97.00 % to 99.30 % and low RSD values (less than 4.42 %), highlighting its reliability for doping control and clinical analyses. The incorporation of functionalized bimetallic MOF nanostructures can promote the biosensing capabilities, providing a robust and cost-effective solution for monitoring ND levels in biological and medicinal samples.