Critical reviews in analytical chemistry最新文献

Aptamers are in vitro or in vivo generated bio-candidates from a synthetic library using amplification and separation procedures and have delicate options to label at the ends of properly folded secondary or tertiary structures. Aptamers are used as source molecules for sensor development since they can easily conjugate with nanomaterials and report the interactive output. Various sensing systems with enhanced sensitivity have been built in the past using aptamer conjugations. Despite the fact that the techniques for aptamer immobilization vary with functionalization chemistries, the essential strategy is reporting the presence of a specific target for sensing purposes, called an 'aptasensor'. Various attempts to analyze aptamer-ligand interaction advance the gallery of aptamer-based sensors. Aptamer administration is generally being investigated as the recognition element in high-performance analysis, and has been promoted as the exemplary molecule to mimic and replace antibody-based sensing. Using existing technologies, aptasensors are proven for more sensitive clinical and serological biomarkers sensing and high-throughput analysis.

The visualization of latent fingerprints (LFPs) is undergoing a paradigm shift, driven by the unique photophysical properties of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) materials. Moving beyond the limitations of conventional methods, AIE luminogens (AIEgens) introduce a transformative approach. This review elucidates the working principles of AIEgens, primarily through the restriction of intramolecular motion (RIM) mechanism, and systematically charts their advancements in LFP visualization. The application of AIEgens is comprehensively discussed from multiple perspectives: the interaction mechanisms at the fingerprint residue interface (e.g., hydrophobic, electrostatic, and physical adsorption), the resulting luminescence modes (fluorescence and phosphorescence), the practical visualization methodologies (sole application or combination with traditional techniques), and the corresponding evaluation criteria (qualitative and quantitative). While significant progress has been made, we also address existing challenges, particularly the limited color contrast on complex backgrounds and the absence of unified quantitative standards. Next steps should prioritize three critical areas: establishing standardized assessment protocols, optimizing material and imaging performance, and pursuing breakthroughs in multiplexed evidence analysis. This work not only summarizes a pivotal shift in forensic visualization but also provides essential design principles and technical references for in-situ LFP detection, trace analysis, and the recovery of nondestructive biological evidence.

Recently, residual pollutants in the environment have posed a serious threat to ecosystems. Therefore, it is crucial to establish effective environmental pollutant detection strategies. Nanozymes are widely favored in the field of sensing due to their enzyme-like activity, adjustable activity and high stability. Meanwhile, the design of sensors is increasingly emphasizing features such as ease operation and high-throughput recognition. Compared with traditional sensors, sensor arrays have become a research hotspot in sensor due to their advantages. At present, colorimetric sensor arrays constructed based on nanozymes have been widely studied. They overcome the limitations of traditional sensors and are gradually being applied to the precise detection of various environmental pollutants. In this work, we briefly discuss the characteristics of nanozymes, systematically reviews the principles and methods of sensor arrays based on nanozyme, and focuses on analyzing the practical application of sensor arrays. Finally, we put forward the current challenges and future development trends to promote the in-depth development of sensors. The array sensing method based on nanozymes construction has demonstrated significant application value and development potential in the field of environmental monitoring.

Raman spectroscopy is a powerful tool for probing the structural and electronic properties of graphene-based materials, however, a focused review on reduced graphene oxide (RGO) is limited This review critically examines the Raman signatures of RGO, with a particular emphasis on defect-related bands arising from structural disorder and residual functionalities. The reliability and limitations of widely used intensity ratios and quantitative models are discussed, highlighting unconventional ratios for better analysis. By comparing recent advances, defect evolution can be decoded to better connect Raman features with physical and chemical properties. Emerging machine learning approaches for automated Raman analysis including preprocessing pipelines and algorithm strategies are also discussed. This work provides both a consolidated reference and a forward-looking perspective on Raman spectroscopy as a noninvasive tool for functional graphene materials.

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) is a rich source of phytochemicals and bioactive compounds (BCs), and growing interest in plant-derived BCs has increased attention toward efficient extraction strategies. Extraction methodology plays a critical role in determining yield, efficiency, and sustainability. This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of conventional and green extraction techniques for isolating BCs from licorice. A total of 42 eligible studies were identified from multiple databases, focusing on extraction, analysis, and identification of licorice BCs. Conventional methods, including Soxhlet and maceration, generally yielded 24.32-37.63 mg/g of glycyrrhizic acid, requiring prolonged extraction times (5-12 h) and large solvent volumes. In contrast, green extraction techniques significantly enhanced extraction efficiency within shorter durations (3-120 min). Glycyrrhizic acid yields ranged from 28.06-217.7 mg/g for ultrasound-assisted extraction, 22.6-45 mg/g for microwave-assisted extraction, 18.5-19.5 mg/g for subcritical water extraction, 340-544 mg/g for supercritical CO₂ extraction, 20.99 mg/g for pressurized liquid extraction, and 43.78 mg/g for infrared-assisted extraction. These variations highlight the influence of operational parameters such as temperature, time, solvent characteristics, and solid-liquid ratio. Overall, green extraction methods offer superior performance and environmental advantages, representing promising alternatives for sustainable and large-scale recovery of licorice BCs.

Phenolic acids (PAs) are among the most abundant phytochemicals in foods and plants, and their consumption is increasing due to well-established health benefits. Determining these compounds is challenging because of their structural diversity, wide concentration ranges, and complex matrices. This review summarizes the separate analysis of PAs in foods, plants, and plant-based foodstuffs, with a particular focus on gas chromatography (GC) methodologies. Since PAs are inherently nonvolatile, chemical derivatization is generally required to enhance volatility and reduce polarity, enabling accurate detection. The role of derivatization, together with the extraction approaches used to isolate PAs from complex matrices, is critically discussed. Additionally, the review covers key method validation parameters, such as analytical range, limit of detection, and limit of quantification, that are essential for accurate measurement of PAs. By focusing on GC-based approaches, this review highlights their contribution to improving analytical performance and supporting research on PAs in food and plant sciences.

Lidocaine (LID), an amide-type local anesthetic and antiarrhythmic agent, remains one of the most extensively used drugs in medical, dental, and surgical practice owing to its rapid onset, potent analgesic activity, and reversible nerve-blocking effects. However, its narrow therapeutic index, rapid hepatic metabolism, and typically low plasma concentrations necessitate the development of highly sensitive and selective analytical approaches for accurate quantification in biological, pharmaceutical, and environmental matrices. This review provides a comprehensive and critical evaluation of more than two decades of methodological progress in LID and metabolites analysis (monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX) and glycinexylidide (GX)). High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) have emerged as the gold-standard techniques due to their superior sensitivity, reproducibility, and specificity at trace levels. Complementary spectrophotometric, electroanalytical, and capillary electrophoresis methods also demonstrate distinct advantages in cost, simplicity, and eco-sustainability. Recent advancements highlight the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Intelligence (MI) algorithms to enhance data processing, optimize chromatographic conditions, and improve pattern recognition in complex matrices, thereby enabling automated, real-time analysis with higher precision. Persistent analytical challenges such as matrix interference, compound instability, and ultra-trace detection underscore the need for continued innovation. Future perspectives emphasize the combination of AI-driven modeling, nanomaterial-based sensors, and green analytical platforms to establish smart, miniaturized, and environmentally sustainable systems for LID determination, facilitating reliable pharmacokinetic monitoring, clinical diagnostics, and pharmaceutical quality assurance.

The transport of therapeutic molecules to the brain is one of the largest challenges of contemporary medicine because of the restrictive nature of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which blocks the penetration of almost all biological therapeutics and most small-molecule drugs. This is a major limitation to the treatment of such neurological diseases as Parkinson's disease (PD), glioblastoma, and Alzheimer's disease. To beat these obstacles, there must be advanced delivery systems that can be precise, be released under control, and move without being invasive. Over the past decade, there have been innovations in micro and nanorobotic technologies, which provide a groundbreaking model that incorporates innovations in materials science, analytical chemistry, and biomedical engineering. Such engineered nanorobots are magnetically controlled, polymeric, or biologically derived nanorobots, which can be magnetically, acoustically, optically, or chemically controlled, and can cross the BBB with greater specificity. It has also been possible to follow the behavior of nanorobots at a direct visualization level in biological systems due to the development of analytical tools, especially imaging, real-time monitoring, and in situ sensing, which allows the behavior of nanorobots to be evaluated rigorously in terms of motions, shape transformation, and drug release profiles. The present review gives a detailed description of the propulsion-based nanorobotic drug delivery systems to the central nervous system (CNS), including structural components, modes of actuation, and protocols of analysis. The review explains that the combined effects of physicochemical features, external stimuli, and interactions between biointerfaces influence permeability via the BBB and accuracy of therapeutic response.

Metoclopramide (MCP) is a commonly prescribed prokinetic and antiemetic agent used to manage gastrointestinal motility disorders as well as nausea and vomiting. Given its extensive clinical use and the risk of dose-related adverse effects, reliable quantitative determination of MCP in pharmaceutical formulations and biological matrices is crucial for quality control, pharmacokinetic evaluation, and therapeutic monitoring. This review compiles English-language studies published over the past 25 years, retrieved from major scientific databases including Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and PubMed. It provides a critical overview of analytical techniques applied to MCP determination, focusing on chromatographic, spectrometric, and electroanalytical methods. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) remains the most widely used approach because of its robustness, accuracy, and suitability for diverse sample matrices. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) offers superior sensitivity, achieving detection limits in the pg-ng/mL range, and is particularly valuable for advanced bioanalytical studies. Although less sensitive, HPLC-UV methods are still favored for routine pharmaceutical quality control due to their simplicity and cost-effectiveness. Spectrometric and electrochemical techniques, especially those employing nanostructured electrodes, present promising alternatives. Nonetheless, challenges such as MCP instability, matrix interferences, and cost-performance trade-offs remain, highlighting the need for robust, affordable, and portable analytical strategies.