Pub Date : 2026-01-17DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2026.117008
Jinyu Fu , Jiaming Yang , Shuobo Shi , Zhenglin Zhu , Xing Wang , Yaru Li
Point-of-care testing (POCT) is critical for rapid disease diagnosis, particularly in resource-limited settings. While molecular diagnostics offer high sensitivity, current platforms face significant bottlenecks in portability, scalability, and accuracy for decentralized healthcare. This review highlights the transformative potential of CRISPR-based technologies as a next-generation framework for POCT. We detail the fundamental principles of CRISPR diagnostics, which are based on the programmable complex of Cas proteins and guide RNAs (gRNAs) for specific nucleic acid recognition. This system typically integrates isothermal pre-amplification (e.g., RPA, LAMP) to enhance sensitivity, followed by Cas-mediated target recognition and a target-activated signal readout (e.g., fluorescence, colorimetry, lateral flow assays) that enables equipment-free, visual interpretation. Furthermore, we explore the expanding applications of CRISPR-based POCT, including clinical diagnostics, food safety, environmental pollutant detection, and wearable devices. This review underscores how CRISPR diagnostics, with their operational simplicity, uncompromised sensitivity, and versatile signal output, are poised to advance rapid, accurate, and accessible molecular testing at the point of care.
{"title":"CRISPR for next-generation point-of-care molecular diagnostics","authors":"Jinyu Fu , Jiaming Yang , Shuobo Shi , Zhenglin Zhu , Xing Wang , Yaru Li","doi":"10.1016/j.microc.2026.117008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.microc.2026.117008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Point-of-care testing (POCT) is critical for rapid disease diagnosis, particularly in resource-limited settings. While molecular diagnostics offer high sensitivity, current platforms face significant bottlenecks in portability, scalability, and accuracy for decentralized healthcare. This review highlights the transformative potential of CRISPR-based technologies as a next-generation framework for POCT. We detail the fundamental principles of CRISPR diagnostics, which are based on the programmable complex of Cas proteins and guide RNAs (gRNAs) for specific nucleic acid recognition. This system typically integrates isothermal pre-amplification (e.g., RPA, LAMP) to enhance sensitivity, followed by Cas-mediated target recognition and a target-activated signal readout (e.g., fluorescence, colorimetry, lateral flow assays) that enables equipment-free, visual interpretation. Furthermore, we explore the expanding applications of CRISPR-based POCT, including clinical diagnostics, food safety, environmental pollutant detection, and wearable devices. This review underscores how CRISPR diagnostics, with their operational simplicity, uncompromised sensitivity, and versatile signal output, are poised to advance rapid, accurate, and accessible molecular testing at the point of care.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":391,"journal":{"name":"Microchemical Journal","volume":"221 ","pages":"Article 117008"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146035015","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-17DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2026.117012
Min Qian , Jia-xin Liu , Yuan Zhang , Mei-di Wang , Wen-hao Shao , Yuan Wang , Xue-song Feng
Ketamine (KET) and its analogs, prohibited substances known for inducing dissociation and emergence delirium, continue to be widely abused. Effective monitoring of these substances in complex biological and environmental matrices (such as urine, blood, hair, and wastewater) is essential for forensic investigation, clinical toxicology, and public health surveillance. However, the direct analysis of KETs in these samples is severely hindered by low analyte concentrations, significant matrix interference, and the presence of structurally similar metabolites. Therefore, efficient and selective sample pretreatment is an indispensable prerequisite for achieving accurate quantitation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of pretreatment techniques developed for KETs since 2015. It systematically examines conventional methods (e.g., liquid-liquid extraction) and emerging microextraction strategies (e.g., various modes of liquid-phase and solid-phase microextraction). A particular emphasis is placed on recent innovations, notably the development of novel sorbent materials (e.g., molecularly imprinted polymers and metal-organic frameworks) for enhanced selectivity, and the integration of green solvents with miniaturization/automation to improve efficiency and sustainability. The evolution of these pretreatment strategies is driven by the imperative to enable reliable trace-level detection in real-world samples, thereby playing a crucial role in combating drug abuse and safeguarding public health.
{"title":"Advances in sample pretreatment for the analysis of ketamine and its analogs: A review","authors":"Min Qian , Jia-xin Liu , Yuan Zhang , Mei-di Wang , Wen-hao Shao , Yuan Wang , Xue-song Feng","doi":"10.1016/j.microc.2026.117012","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.microc.2026.117012","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ketamine (KET) and its analogs, prohibited substances known for inducing dissociation and emergence delirium, continue to be widely abused. Effective monitoring of these substances in complex biological and environmental matrices (such as urine, blood, hair, and wastewater) is essential for forensic investigation, clinical toxicology, and public health surveillance. However, the direct analysis of KETs in these samples is severely hindered by low analyte concentrations, significant matrix interference, and the presence of structurally similar metabolites. Therefore, efficient and selective sample pretreatment is an indispensable prerequisite for achieving accurate quantitation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of pretreatment techniques developed for KETs since 2015. It systematically examines conventional methods (e.g., liquid-liquid extraction) and emerging microextraction strategies (e.g., various modes of liquid-phase and solid-phase microextraction). A particular emphasis is placed on recent innovations, notably the development of novel sorbent materials (e.g., molecularly imprinted polymers and metal-organic frameworks) for enhanced selectivity, and the integration of green solvents with miniaturization/automation to improve efficiency and sustainability. The evolution of these pretreatment strategies is driven by the imperative to enable reliable trace-level detection in real-world samples, thereby playing a crucial role in combating drug abuse and safeguarding public health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":391,"journal":{"name":"Microchemical Journal","volume":"221 ","pages":"Article 117012"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146035017","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nowadays, urbanization and industrialization have caused significant environmental degradation. The demand for high-performance biosensors for efficient detection of hazardous substances is increasing. Among different methods, electrochemical (EC) sensors, as promising and standard analytical approaches, have been widely used for monitoring of hazardous substances in aquatic environments. Emerging EC sensing platforms have focused on improving different aspects of analytical approaches, such as affordability, stability, portability, selectivity, and sensitivity. In this review study, we primarily focus on evaluating recent advances in EC sensors based on molecular imprinted polymers‑carbon nanotubes (MIP-CNTs) composites for environmental analysis. In order to achieve sensitive and specific EC sensors, numerous biomolecules, such as aptamers, antibodies, and enzymes, have been applied in the sensing zones of EC sensors. However, in many cases, their high cost and limited stability under harsh environmental conditions have led to the development of alternative receptors. Interestingly, MIPs have attracted considerable attention in EC sensors. These stable polymers have excellent potential for the recognition of a wide variety of targets. However, the poor conductivity and electrocatalytic activity can limit their application in electrochemical sensors. The integration of nanomaterials, particularly CNTs, into MIP film has attracted research interest in electrochemical sensing due to their role in favor electronic communication to the imprinted cavities and enhancing surface area. Different CNTs have been frequently combined with MIPs due to their great conductivity and high surface area. In this review, the fabrication techniques of MIPs-CNTs and their application in EC sensors are discussed for detection of hazardous substances. In addition, the analytical performance of different EC sensors based on MIPs-CNTs and other non-enzymatic bioreceptors on the CNTs is examined for environmental monitoring.
{"title":"Exploring the potential of molecular imprinted polymers modified carbon nanotubes in electrochemical sensors toward environmental monitoring by detecting hazardous substances: Addressing the selectivity and sensitivity","authors":"Sofiene Mansouri , Yousef Alharbi , Abdulrahman Alqahtani , Amira Ouerhani","doi":"10.1016/j.microc.2026.116981","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.microc.2026.116981","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nowadays, urbanization and industrialization have caused significant environmental degradation. The demand for high-performance biosensors for efficient detection of hazardous substances is increasing. Among different methods, electrochemical (EC) sensors, as promising and standard analytical approaches, have been widely used for monitoring of hazardous substances in aquatic environments. Emerging EC sensing platforms have focused on improving different aspects of analytical approaches, such as affordability, stability, portability, selectivity, and sensitivity. In this review study, we primarily focus on evaluating recent advances in EC sensors based on molecular imprinted polymers‑carbon nanotubes (MIP-CNTs) composites for environmental analysis. In order to achieve sensitive and specific EC sensors, numerous biomolecules, such as aptamers, antibodies, and enzymes, have been applied in the sensing zones of EC sensors. However, in many cases, their high cost and limited stability under harsh environmental conditions have led to the development of alternative receptors. Interestingly, MIPs have attracted considerable attention in EC sensors. These stable polymers have excellent potential for the recognition of a wide variety of targets. However, the poor conductivity and electrocatalytic activity can limit their application in electrochemical sensors. The integration of nanomaterials, particularly CNTs, into MIP film has attracted research interest in electrochemical sensing due to their role in favor electronic communication to the imprinted cavities and enhancing surface area. Different CNTs have been frequently combined with MIPs due to their great conductivity and high surface area. In this review, the fabrication techniques of MIPs-CNTs and their application in EC sensors are discussed for detection of hazardous substances. In addition, the analytical performance of different EC sensors based on MIPs-CNTs and other non-enzymatic bioreceptors on the CNTs is examined for environmental monitoring.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":391,"journal":{"name":"Microchemical Journal","volume":"221 ","pages":"Article 116981"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146035016","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-14DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2026.116925
Muhammad Tariq Shah , Fatma Nur Arslan , Abdullah
Epilepsy is a complex neurological disorder that significantly impacts various aspects of a patients life, including their socioeconomic well-being. Failure to identify epileptic activity early can cause serious damage to the central nervous system (CNS) and irreversible changes in various organs. Consequently, antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are widely used to control and reduce the frequency of seizures. Because there is a direct relationship between clinical outcomes and plasma drug levels, measuring AED concentrations in different biological matrices has gained considerable attention for tailoring therapeutic dosing. Monitoring antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in biological samples and pharmaceutical products is essential for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), ensuring accurate dosing and reducing the risk of toxicity. Electrochemical sensors, particularly those enhanced with magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), have garnered recognition for their exceptional sensitivity, selectivity, quick response time, and affordability. This review provides a comprehensive and critical evaluation of literature published from 2004 to 2024 on MNPs-based electrochemical sensing platforms for AEDs. The review offers an in-depth summary of recent advances in the electrochemical detection of AEDs using MNP-modified electrodes. It explores methods for synthesizing MNPs, techniques for electrode modification, underlying electrochemical detection mechanisms, and sensor performance assessments. Additionally, the review outlines current challenges and provides insights into future research directions in this area.
{"title":"Magnetic nanoparticle-modified electrodes for electrochemical sensing of antiepileptic drugs: advances and perspectives","authors":"Muhammad Tariq Shah , Fatma Nur Arslan , Abdullah","doi":"10.1016/j.microc.2026.116925","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.microc.2026.116925","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Epilepsy is a complex neurological disorder that significantly impacts various aspects of a patients life, including their socioeconomic well-being. Failure to identify epileptic activity early can cause serious damage to the central nervous system (CNS) and irreversible changes in various organs. Consequently, antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are widely used to control and reduce the frequency of seizures. Because there is a direct relationship between clinical outcomes and plasma drug levels, measuring AED concentrations in different biological matrices has gained considerable attention for tailoring therapeutic dosing. Monitoring antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in biological samples and pharmaceutical products is essential for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), ensuring accurate dosing and reducing the risk of toxicity. Electrochemical sensors, particularly those enhanced with magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), have garnered recognition for their exceptional sensitivity, selectivity, quick response time, and affordability. This review provides a comprehensive and critical evaluation of literature published from 2004 to 2024 on MNPs-based electrochemical sensing platforms for AEDs. The review offers an in-depth summary of recent advances in the electrochemical detection of AEDs using MNP-modified electrodes. It explores methods for synthesizing MNPs, techniques for electrode modification, underlying electrochemical detection mechanisms, and sensor performance assessments. Additionally, the review outlines current challenges and provides insights into future research directions in this area.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":391,"journal":{"name":"Microchemical Journal","volume":"221 ","pages":"Article 116925"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146035014","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-13DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2026.116942
Mehmet Melikoglu
Sensory evaluation is a cornerstone of food science, bridging product characteristics with human perception. In a rapidly changing food landscape, its evolution is vital for assessing quality, developing new products, and gaining consumer insights. This paper reviews recent advancements (2020–2025) in sensory evaluation, highlighting three key trends. Firstly, there is a paradigm shift towards integrating state-of-the-art analytical chemistry methodologies with traditional sensory evaluation. Tools like high-resolution separation techniques (e.g., GC–MS, SGC/GC2-O-MS), and intelligent sensor arrays (e-noses, e-tongues) are combined with chemometrics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. This approach offers objective, precise, and high-throughput predictive capabilities for deciphering complex food matrices. This significantly enhances quality assessment and reduces reliance on subjective human panels. Secondly, the literature explores the significant influence of production, processing, and storage conditions on sensory quality, providing practical analytical insights for optimizing the food supply chain and ensuring consistent product quality. Lastly, the review covers advancements in sensory methodologies and a deeper understanding of consumer perception and behavior, which are crucial for market success and addressing societal challenges like food waste. Future research should focus on developing more robust and analytically generalizable predictive models, elucidating dynamic sensory perception, tailoring experiences for personalized nutrition, and applying analytical sensory science within sustainable food systems. This holistic and interdisciplinary approach is essential for addressing the complex challenges and opportunities in the future of food.
{"title":"Instrumental-analytical integration in food sensory evaluation: Current trends and future horizons","authors":"Mehmet Melikoglu","doi":"10.1016/j.microc.2026.116942","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.microc.2026.116942","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sensory evaluation is a cornerstone of food science, bridging product characteristics with human perception. In a rapidly changing food landscape, its evolution is vital for assessing quality, developing new products, and gaining consumer insights. This paper reviews recent advancements (2020–2025) in sensory evaluation, highlighting three key trends. Firstly, there is a paradigm shift towards integrating state-of-the-art analytical chemistry methodologies with traditional sensory evaluation. Tools like high-resolution separation techniques (e.g., GC–MS, SGC/GC<sup>2</sup>-O-MS), and intelligent sensor arrays (e-noses, e-tongues) are combined with chemometrics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. This approach offers objective, precise, and high-throughput predictive capabilities for deciphering complex food matrices. This significantly enhances quality assessment and reduces reliance on subjective human panels. Secondly, the literature explores the significant influence of production, processing, and storage conditions on sensory quality, providing practical analytical insights for optimizing the food supply chain and ensuring consistent product quality. Lastly, the review covers advancements in sensory methodologies and a deeper understanding of consumer perception and behavior, which are crucial for market success and addressing societal challenges like food waste. Future research should focus on developing more robust and analytically generalizable predictive models, elucidating dynamic sensory perception, tailoring experiences for personalized nutrition, and applying analytical sensory science within sustainable food systems. This holistic and interdisciplinary approach is essential for addressing the complex challenges and opportunities in the future of food.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":391,"journal":{"name":"Microchemical Journal","volume":"221 ","pages":"Article 116942"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145974464","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-13DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2026.116923
Jianghong Wu, Tong Wu, Yuqing Li
A paradigm shift toward early diagnosis and proactive health management is becoming an inevitable trend in contemporary society. With evolving lifestyles, there is an increasing demand for simple, portable health-monitoring devices. Electrochemical biosensors are emerging as promising solutions to meet this demand due to their high sensitivity, rapid response, miniaturization, and low cost. However, whether for health monitoring or disease diagnosis, a single physiological parameter is insufficient to provide accurate and valuable clinical information. Multiplexed electrochemical biosensors, which can detect multiple targets simultaneously, offer a promising approach to meet this need. This review summarizes the progress in electrochemical biosensors for multiplexed detection over the past decades. We mainly focus on two fundamental strategies: the multiple label strategy and the multiple electrode strategy, including discussion of redox label selection, electrode layout design, and multiple signal transduction mechanisms. For the multi-label approaches, several common labels used for multiplexed electrochemical detection are discussed, including metal ions, dyes, metal nanoparticles, and electroactive polymers. For multiple electrodes, we introduced typical techniques for designing and fabricating sensors categorized by multiple working electrodes and multiple sensors. With deeper insight, we further reviewed the applications of these multiplexed electrochemical biosensors in disease diagnosis and health monitoring. These sensors have shown promise in the detection of a variety of diseases, including cancers, pathogen infections, sepsis, and metabolic diseases. We also highlight the multi-biomarkers associated with these diseases that are analyzed using multiplexed electrochemical biosensors. Finally, we evaluated the strengths and limitations of different strategies and proposed our perspective on the challenges and potential solutions for further exploration and improvement of multiplexed electrochemical biosensors.
{"title":"Design strategies for multiplexed electrochemical biosensors: advances in accurate diagnosis and health monitoring","authors":"Jianghong Wu, Tong Wu, Yuqing Li","doi":"10.1016/j.microc.2026.116923","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.microc.2026.116923","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A paradigm shift toward early diagnosis and proactive health management is becoming an inevitable trend in contemporary society. With evolving lifestyles, there is an increasing demand for simple, portable health-monitoring devices. Electrochemical biosensors are emerging as promising solutions to meet this demand due to their high sensitivity, rapid response, miniaturization, and low cost. However, whether for health monitoring or disease diagnosis, a single physiological parameter is insufficient to provide accurate and valuable clinical information. Multiplexed electrochemical biosensors, which can detect multiple targets simultaneously, offer a promising approach to meet this need. This review summarizes the progress in electrochemical biosensors for multiplexed detection over the past decades. We mainly focus on two fundamental strategies: the multiple label strategy and the multiple electrode strategy, including discussion of redox label selection, electrode layout design, and multiple signal transduction mechanisms. For the multi-label approaches, several common labels used for multiplexed electrochemical detection are discussed, including metal ions, dyes, metal nanoparticles, and electroactive polymers. For multiple electrodes, we introduced typical techniques for designing and fabricating sensors categorized by multiple working electrodes and multiple sensors. With deeper insight, we further reviewed the applications of these multiplexed electrochemical biosensors in disease diagnosis and health monitoring. These sensors have shown promise in the detection of a variety of diseases, including cancers, pathogen infections, sepsis, and metabolic diseases. We also highlight the multi-biomarkers associated with these diseases that are analyzed using multiplexed electrochemical biosensors. Finally, we evaluated the strengths and limitations of different strategies and proposed our perspective on the challenges and potential solutions for further exploration and improvement of multiplexed electrochemical biosensors.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":391,"journal":{"name":"Microchemical Journal","volume":"221 ","pages":"Article 116923"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146034894","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-09DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2026.116904
Saeid Jafari , Halak N. Mehta , Rahul D. Kamath , Sochannet Chheng , Vinoothna Ramisetty , Isaya Kijpatanasilp , Mahdi Ebrahimi , Subhashis Chakraborty , Kitipong Assatarakul , Dharmendra K. Mishra
The integration of green analytical methods into food innovation is essential for advancing sustainability and reducing the environmental footprint of product development. This review explores how emerging digital tools—such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), hyperspectral imaging (HSI), electronic nose (E-nose), electronic tongue (E-tongue), and computational simulations—can serve as non-destructive, solvent-free, and energy-efficient analytical methods in the development of plant-based meat analogs (PBMAs). These technologies enable real-time monitoring of product structure, texture, and nutritional attributes without generating chemical waste, replacing resource-intensive conventional analyses. AI and ML optimize formulation by predicting quality and safety attributes from spectral or sensor data, while computational modeling reduces the need for repetitive experimental trials. HSI allows rapid pixel-level mapping of composition and quality, and E-nose/E-tongue systems profile flavor and aroma without physical sample destruction. Collectively, these approaches embody the principles of green analytical chemistry by minimizing reagent use, waste generation, and energy demand, while enhancing process efficiency and product quality. For instance, integrated digital workflows have been shown to reduce analytical waste and energy use by approximately 60–70% compared to conventional destructive methods. This review further examines their applicability beyond PBMAs to broader food and environmental monitoring, highlighting their role in sustainable food systems and circular economy strategies.
{"title":"Green digital analytical approaches for sustainable development of plant-based meat: Integrating AI, computational modeling, and non-destructive testing","authors":"Saeid Jafari , Halak N. Mehta , Rahul D. Kamath , Sochannet Chheng , Vinoothna Ramisetty , Isaya Kijpatanasilp , Mahdi Ebrahimi , Subhashis Chakraborty , Kitipong Assatarakul , Dharmendra K. Mishra","doi":"10.1016/j.microc.2026.116904","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.microc.2026.116904","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The integration of green analytical methods into food innovation is essential for advancing sustainability and reducing the environmental footprint of product development. This review explores how emerging digital tools—such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), hyperspectral imaging (HSI), electronic nose (<em>E</em>-nose), electronic tongue (E-tongue), and computational simulations—can serve as non-destructive, solvent-free, and energy-efficient analytical methods in the development of plant-based meat analogs (PBMAs). These technologies enable real-time monitoring of product structure, texture, and nutritional attributes without generating chemical waste, replacing resource-intensive conventional analyses. AI and ML optimize formulation by predicting quality and safety attributes from spectral or sensor data, while computational modeling reduces the need for repetitive experimental trials. HSI allows rapid pixel-level mapping of composition and quality, and <em>E</em>-nose/E-tongue systems profile flavor and aroma without physical sample destruction. Collectively, these approaches embody the principles of green analytical chemistry by minimizing reagent use, waste generation, and energy demand, while enhancing process efficiency and product quality. For instance, integrated digital workflows have been shown to reduce analytical waste and energy use by approximately 60–70% compared to conventional destructive methods. This review further examines their applicability beyond PBMAs to broader food and environmental monitoring, highlighting their role in sustainable food systems and circular economy strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":391,"journal":{"name":"Microchemical Journal","volume":"221 ","pages":"Article 116904"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146034944","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-09DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2026.116876
Cong Li , Yao Zheng , Linhan Yuan , Shuangjie Qin , Yang Zou , Xiaohong Chen , Hongjuan Li , Hongbo Li , Jinghua Yu
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different heat treatments on the basic characteristics and protein structure of milk basic protein (MBP). MBP was separated and purified by cation-exchange chromatography and the optimal process conditions for this method were determined by single factor experiments. In addition, the thermodynamic properties of MBP were investigated, and the effects of different pasteurizations on its protein structure were further compared. The results showed that the protein purified by cation exchange chromatography was 97.53%. The optimum parameters were as follows: loading speed 1.2 mL/min, elution speed 1.4 mL/min, eluent concentration 1 mol/L, sample and buffer pH 6.5. Pasteurization treatment increased the surface hydrophobicity of MBP, decreased the particle size, and increased the fluorescence intensity. These findings provided a scientific basis for the optimization of MBP separation and purification technology and its application in food.
{"title":"Unveiling the impact of pasteurizations on the structural properties of milk basic proteins purified by cation-exchange chromatography","authors":"Cong Li , Yao Zheng , Linhan Yuan , Shuangjie Qin , Yang Zou , Xiaohong Chen , Hongjuan Li , Hongbo Li , Jinghua Yu","doi":"10.1016/j.microc.2026.116876","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.microc.2026.116876","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different heat treatments on the basic characteristics and protein structure of milk basic protein (MBP). MBP was separated and purified by cation-exchange chromatography and the optimal process conditions for this method were determined by single factor experiments. In addition, the thermodynamic properties of MBP were investigated, and the effects of different pasteurizations on its protein structure were further compared. The results showed that the protein purified by cation exchange chromatography was 97.53%. The optimum parameters were as follows: loading speed 1.2 mL/min, elution speed 1.4 mL/min, eluent concentration 1 mol/L, sample and buffer pH 6.5. Pasteurization treatment increased the surface hydrophobicity of MBP, decreased the particle size, and increased the fluorescence intensity. These findings provided a scientific basis for the optimization of MBP separation and purification technology and its application in food.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":391,"journal":{"name":"Microchemical Journal","volume":"221 ","pages":"Article 116876"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145974017","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-09DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2026.116893
Ruiqi Hu , Baisen Chen , Xiaolu Zhou, Gongke Li
Cyclic cataluminescence (CCTL) technology, with its unique cyclic flow path design and multistage signal capture capability, presents a cutting-edge solution for the comprehensive analysis of complex samples. Aiming to realize classification and adulteration identification of rose cosmetics, a rapid and reliable CCTL method was developed in this study. A γ-Al2O3/Eu2O3 composite was synthesized by combining γ-Al2O3 and Eu2O3. Leveraging cataluminescence reactions induced by monoterpenols on the surface of the γ-Al2O3/Eu2O3 composite, the developed CCTL method can capture a series of multistage signals within just 2 min, with the catalyst maintaining high performance for over 23 days. The mechanism for the response of γ-Al2O3/Eu2O3 toward monoterpenols was investigated, and the multistage signals of different monoterpenols satisfy the exponential decay equation with a certain decay coefficient. Monoterpenols are important functional components of rose cosmetics. By integrating linear discriminant and hierarchical cluster analysis, the method successfully distinguishes between six varieties of Damascus rose essential oils regions, three rose perfume and three toners brands, achieving a 100% classification accuracy in the tested dataset (n = 60, 30 and 30, respectively). This study introduces lanthanide metal oxides with exceptional luminescent properties into CCTL sensors, offering an innovative and highly efficient approach for the rapid, reliable identification of rose cosmetics containing monoterpenols.
{"title":"Monoterpenols cyclic cataluminescence based on γ-Al2O3/Eu2O3 composite coupled with chemometrics for rapid identification of rose cosmetics","authors":"Ruiqi Hu , Baisen Chen , Xiaolu Zhou, Gongke Li","doi":"10.1016/j.microc.2026.116893","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.microc.2026.116893","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cyclic cataluminescence (CCTL) technology, with its unique cyclic flow path design and multistage signal capture capability, presents a cutting-edge solution for the comprehensive analysis of complex samples. Aiming to realize classification and adulteration identification of rose cosmetics, a rapid and reliable CCTL method was developed in this study. A γ-Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>/Eu<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> composite was synthesized by combining γ-Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> and Eu<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>. Leveraging cataluminescence reactions induced by monoterpenols on the surface of the γ-Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>/Eu<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> composite, the developed CCTL method can capture a series of multistage signals within just 2 min, with the catalyst maintaining high performance for over 23 days. The mechanism for the response of γ-Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>/Eu<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> toward monoterpenols was investigated, and the multistage signals of different monoterpenols satisfy the exponential decay equation with a certain decay coefficient. Monoterpenols are important functional components of rose cosmetics. By integrating linear discriminant and hierarchical cluster analysis, the method successfully distinguishes between six varieties of Damascus rose essential oils regions, three rose perfume and three toners brands, achieving a 100% classification accuracy in the tested dataset (<em>n</em> = 60, 30 and 30, respectively). This study introduces lanthanide metal oxides with exceptional luminescent properties into CCTL sensors, offering an innovative and highly efficient approach for the rapid, reliable identification of rose cosmetics containing monoterpenols.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":391,"journal":{"name":"Microchemical Journal","volume":"221 ","pages":"Article 116893"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145974018","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-09DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2026.116914
Shiyu Li , Li Zhang , Haihua Zhang , Fang Yang , Jun Dang
Hyperlipidemia is closely linked to abnormal dietary lipid absorption, and pancreatic lipase (PL) is a key target for inhibiting intestinal lipid hydrolysis. Thus, the efficient discovery of PL inhibitors is crucial for treating the disease. However, existing recognition techniques suffer from false positives and disconnection from subsequent separation, hindering the exploration of natural product active components. This study developed an online high-performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) recognition system. It enables real-time mixing of chromatographic eluents with PL solution, forming protein-ligand complexes that yield characteristic negative peaks due to their lower fluorescence, thus enabling rapid localization of PL-binding components at corresponding retention times. Validation with orlistat as a reference standard confirmed the system's high precision, stability, and specificity. When applied to the crude extract of Sinacalia tangutica, this system recognized 15 active chromatographic peaks in a single analysis. Combined with an activity-guided progressive separation strategy, 16 compounds were obtained and exhibited PL inhibitory activity in vitro enzymatic assays. The therapeutic potential of phlorizin, one of inhibitors identified by our recognition system, was evaluated in hyperlipidemic mice. High-dose phlorizin lowered serum total cholesterol (TC) by 46.3% and triglyceride (TG) by 66.3%, reduced pancreatic PL content by 52.4%, raised fecal TG by 65.7%, alleviated hepatic steatosis and oxidative stress, with efficacy near orlistat. This integrated strategy of online recognition with activity-guided separation provides an efficient solution for the discovery of natural PL inhibitors with therapeutic potential.
{"title":"Online HPLC-FLD recognition system drives activity-guided progressive separation to discover pancreatic lipase inhibitors from Sinacalia tangutica","authors":"Shiyu Li , Li Zhang , Haihua Zhang , Fang Yang , Jun Dang","doi":"10.1016/j.microc.2026.116914","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.microc.2026.116914","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hyperlipidemia is closely linked to abnormal dietary lipid absorption, and pancreatic lipase (PL) is a key target for inhibiting intestinal lipid hydrolysis. Thus, the efficient discovery of PL inhibitors is crucial for treating the disease. However, existing recognition techniques suffer from false positives and disconnection from subsequent separation, hindering the exploration of natural product active components. This study developed an online high-performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) recognition system. It enables real-time mixing of chromatographic eluents with PL solution, forming protein-ligand complexes that yield characteristic negative peaks due to their lower fluorescence, thus enabling rapid localization of PL-binding components at corresponding retention times. Validation with orlistat as a reference standard confirmed the system's high precision, stability, and specificity. When applied to the crude extract of <em>Sinacalia tangutica</em>, this system recognized 15 active chromatographic peaks in a single analysis. Combined with an activity-guided progressive separation strategy, 16 compounds were obtained and exhibited PL inhibitory activity <em>in vitro</em> enzymatic assays. The therapeutic potential of phlorizin, one of inhibitors identified by our recognition system, was evaluated in hyperlipidemic mice. High-dose phlorizin lowered serum total cholesterol (TC) by 46.3% and triglyceride (TG) by 66.3%, reduced pancreatic PL content by 52.4%, raised fecal TG by 65.7%, alleviated hepatic steatosis and oxidative stress, with efficacy near orlistat. This integrated strategy of online recognition with activity-guided separation provides an efficient solution for the discovery of natural PL inhibitors with therapeutic potential.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":391,"journal":{"name":"Microchemical Journal","volume":"221 ","pages":"Article 116914"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145974468","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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