Emerging Trends and Challenges in Molecular Imprinted Polymer-Based Electrochemical and Optical Sensors for Food Safety
摘要
Molecularly imprinted polymers, also known as artificial antibodies, have the potential to develop customized imprints of particular template molecules within a solidified polymeric environment. Analyte-specific molecular recognition is considered a crucial aspect of sensor performance. The effectiveness of sensors is dependent upon selectivity and mass transfer at the sites where analyte recognition occurs. Consequently, it is crucial to take into account the factors influencing mass transfer, such as structural characteristics, stability, and morphological features. This has led to the development of advanced molecularly imprinted probes aimed at enhancing sensor performance. Fiber optic sensors have become increasingly utilized because of their beneficial characteristics. The SPR technique, utilizing the Kretschmann configuration, has gained significant attraction in biosensing applications owing to its rapid and label-free detection capabilities. MIP-based electrochemical sensors employing nanotubes, graphene oxide, and metal oxide nanoparticles and magnetic composites present a promising option for the development of electrochemical sensors, as their distinctive magnetic properties facilitate rapid separation and easy preparation. This review provides the recent developments and research progress made in electrochemical and fiber optical sensors in the framework of MIP-integrated sensors for food security. The progress in surface imprinting and the benefits, including rapid mass transfer and removal of template molecules, are also discussed.
Graphical Abstract