Critical reviews in analytical chemistry最新文献

Receptor-ligand binding, which is crucial to a variety of biomedical and biochemical processes, immune responses, and signal transduction, forms the basis for many biotechnological applications. The specific binding between a receptor and a ligand is the beginning of the biological function of the receptor or ligand molecule. Therefore, a summary study of methods for quantitative determination of receptor-ligand interaction kinetics is necessary. In this review, the kinetic parameters that traditionally describe the pattern of receptor-ligand interactions are first introduced. We then summarize and analyze methods for quantitative determination of receptor-ligand interaction kinetics, including direct kinetic measurements, cytology-based measurements, computational chemistry-based measurements, and single-molecule force spectrometry technique measurements of receptor-ligand interactions. Direct measurements of the kinetics of receptor-ligand interactions are further described in methods based on surface plasmon resonance, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, photoelectrochemistry, mass spectrometry binding analyses, nuclear magnetic resonance technology, and electrochemical methods. This review provides a comprehensive and accurate description of the kinetic studies of protein receptor-ligand interactions.

Camellia oil is a high-value edible seed oil, recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). It is essential to develop accurate and rapid analytical methods to authenticate camellia oil due to its susceptibility to adulteration. Recently, hyphenated chromatography-mass spectrometry, especially high-resolution mass spectrometry using chemometrics, has become a promising platform for the identification of camellia oil. Based on the compositional analysis, the fatty acid, sterol, phenol, and tocopherol profiles (or fingerprints) were utilized as predictor variables for assessing authenticity. The review systematically summarizes the workflow of chromatography-mass spectrometry technologies and comprehensively investigates recent metabolomic applications combined with chemometrics for camellia oil authentication. Metabolomics has significantly improved our understanding of camellia oil composition at the molecular level, contributing to its identification and full characterization. Hence, its integration with standard analytical methods is essential to enhance the tools available for public and private laboratories to assess camellia oil authenticity. Integrating metabolomics with artificial intelligence is expected to accelerate drug discovery by identifying new metabolic pathways and biomarkers, promising to revolutionize medicine.

Total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (TXRF) is a pivotal technique in modern atomic spectroscopy, distinguished by its capability for multi-element simultaneous determination, a wide dynamic concentration range, samples do not require acid digestion. Additionally, TXRF exhibits negligible matrix effects when samples are prepared as thin films. Based on these unique features, recent research efforts have increasingly employed laboratory-built TXRF systems for the determination of major and trace elements in various samples. Given the diverse and intricate nature of TXRF systems components, this paper provides an overview of critical components that constitute these systems, compares the influence of various parameters on analytical performance, and offers recommendations for component selection. Additionally, recent applications of laboratory-built TXRF in fields such as environmental monitoring, nuclear energy, and food safety are discussed, with a focus on sample preparation, analyzed elements, and quantitative analysis are presented together with analytical parameters such as detection limits and recoveries. By introducing the instrument components and their practical applications, this paper aims to guide researchers in the construction and optimization of TXRF systems, thereby promoting the advancement of TXRF in future research and practical applications.

Aptamers, as short single-stranded nucleic acids, can bind to targets in a similar way to antibodies. Relying on the advantages of low cost, high stability, and flexibility, they are widely applied in biosensors, disease therapy, and synthetic biology. As an aptamer screening method, the Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX) offers almost unlimited possibilities for functional aptamer generation. However, at present, the SELEX procedure has not reached a satisfactory level, and it still faces some challenges in practical application, such as the relatively blind initial library, laborious and time-consuming selection process, typically requires 9-20 rounds for screening, and the entire process generally extends over 2-3 months, and sub-optimal performance of aptamers obtained. In the past few years, researchers have made great efforts to address these obstacles. Hence, in this review, we first summarize the aptamer screening mechanism and the existing limitations of SELEX. Then analyze the principle and technical key points of the SELEX optimization screening strategy. By incorporating rational library design, novel screening awareness, and advanced screening equipment, the number of aptamer screening cycles is significantly reduced to <8 rounds, with some methods achieving single-round screenings. This has led to a considerable decrease in the overall screening time to <3 weeks, while simultaneously enhancing the performance of the aptamers. Finally, critically discuss the present challenges and future directions of aptamer screening. This review aims to provide a practical reference for designing suitable aptamer screening methods.

Immunoassays based on the specific antigen-antibody interactions are efficient tools to detect various compounds and estimate their content. Usually, these assays are implemented in water-saline media with composition close to physiological conditions. However, many substances are insoluble or cannot be molecularly dispersed in such media, which objectively creates problems when interacting in aquatic environments. Thus, obtaining immunoreactants and implementing immunoassays of these substances need special methodological solutions. Hydrophobicity of antigens as well as their limited ability to functionalization and conjugation are often overlooked when developing immunoassays for these compounds. The main key finding is the possibility to influence the behavior of hydrophobic compounds for immunoassays, which requires specific approaches summarized in the review. Using the examples of two groups of compounds-surfactants (alkyl- and bisphenols) and fullerenes, we systematized the existing knowledge and experience in the development of immunoassays. This review addresses the challenges of immunodetection of poorly soluble substances and proposes solutions such as the use of hydrotropes, other solubilization techniques, and alternative receptors (aptamers and molecularly imprinted polymers).

Gastrodia elata Bl. still widely known as a medicinal plant due to its anti-inflammatory, neuroprotection, cardiovascular protection etc. Additionally, these medical applications cannot be separated from its antioxidant, anti-aging, regulating cell apoptosis ability, which make it have potential as a functional food as well as it has been eaten for more than 2,000 years in China. At present, although Gastrodia elata Bl. has appeared in a large number of studies, much of the research is based on drugs rather than foods. The review of Gastrodia elata Bl. from the perspective of food is one of the necessary steps to promote related development, by reviewing the literature on analytical methods of Gastrodia elata Bl. in recent years, critical components change in the extraction, analytical methods and improvement of food applications, all of aspects of it was summarized. Based on the report about physical and chemical changes in Gastrodia elata Bl. to discover the pathway of Gastrodia elata Bl. functional food development from current to the future.

In recent years, biomass carbon materials have received widespread attention in the field of electrochemical sensors. As a new type of renewable green energy, biomass carbon has the advantages of low cost and abundant resources. After special treatment, it can be used as an ideal electrode material. Since biomass carbon materials have diverse sources and their morphology is difficult to control, researchers have conducted in-depth research on their preparation process, morphology regulation and application. This review summarizes different biomass carbon structures and their preparation methods and explores the applications of these materials in electrochemical sensors. Modification of biomass carbon materials through pretreatment, physical and chemical activation, heteroatom doping, metal compound composite and other methods can make up for the deficiencies in its pore structure, electrical conductivity and surface wettability, thereby improving its electrochemical performance. The effects of different biomass sources, functional groups, constituent elements and modification methods on the morphology, structure and electrochemical properties of biomass carbon materials are discussed, and the applications of this type of material in biological molecules, heavy metal ions and pesticide residues are reviewed. Biomass carbon-based materials show great application potential and development prospects in the field of electrochemical sensors.