A metal-phenolic coordination framework nanozyme exhibits dual enzyme mimicking activity and its application is effective for colorimetric detection of biomolecules.

Biomolecules play vital roles in many biological processes and diseases, making their identification crucial. Herein, we present a colorimetric sensing method for detecting biomolecules like cysteine (Cys), homocysteine (Hcy), and glutathione (GSH). This approach is based on a reaction system whereby colorless 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) undergoes catalytic oxidation to form blue-colored oxidized TMB (ox-TMB) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), utilizing the peroxidase and catalase-mimicking activities of metal-phenolic coordination frameworks (MPNs) of Cu-TA, Co-TA, and Fe-TA nanospheres. The Fe-TA nanospheres demonstrated superior activity, more active sites and enhanced electron transport. Under optimal conditions, the Fe-TA nanospheres were used for the detection of biomolecules. When present, biomolecules inhibit the reaction between TMB and H2O2, causing various colorimetric responses at low detection limits of 0.382, 0.776 and 0.750 µM for Cys, Hcy and GSH. Furthermore, it was successfully applied to real water samples with good recovery results. The developed sensor not only offers a rapid, portable, and user-friendly technique for multi-target analysis of biomolecules at low concentrations but also expands the potential uses of MPNs for other targets in the environmental field.

Wearable sensor platforms for real-time monitoring and early warning of metabolic disorders in humans.

Nowadays, the prevalence of metabolic syndromes (MSs) has attracted increasing concerns as it is closely related to overweight and obesity, physical inactivity and overconsumption of energy, making the diagnosis and real-time monitoring of the physiological range essential and necessary for avoiding illness due to defects in the human body such as higher risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke and diseases related to artery walls. However, the current sensing techniques are inconvenient and do not continuously monitor the health status of humans. Alternatively, the use of recent wearable device technology is a preferable method for the prevention of these diseases. This can enable the monitoring of the health status of humans in different health domains, including environment and structure. The use wearable devices with the purpose of facilitating rapid treatment and real-time monitoring can decrease the prevalence of MS and long-time monitor the health status of patients. This review highlights the recent advances in wearable sensors toward continuous monitoring of blood pressure and blood glucose, and further details the monitoring of abnormal obesity, triglycerides and HDL. We also discuss the challenges and future prospective of monitoring MS in humans.