The versatility of metal-organic frameworks-based biosensor for antioxidant detection

Abstract

Antioxidants are crucial in mitigating oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS), contributing to chronic diseases and biomolecular damage. Beyond their biological significance, antioxidants are widely used in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals to enhance stability and shelf life. Conventional detection methods—such as spectrophotometric assays (DPPH, ABTS, ORAC) and chromatographic techniques (HPLC, LC-MS)—are accurate but suffer from high costs, complex workflows, and limited portability. Biosensors offer a promising alternative, combining high sensitivity, rapid analysis, and real-time monitoring. Among these, metal-organic framework (MOFs) based biosensors stand out due to their tunable porosity, high surface area, and multifunctional design, enabling precise antioxidant detection via fluorescent, colorimetric, electrochemical, or hybrid mechanisms. These sensors achieve enhanced selectivity and signal amplification by integrating MOFs with various functional materials (e.g., graphene, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)) or biomimetic catalysts (nanozymes), even in complex matrices like biological fluids or food extracts. However, challenges remain in improving commercial applications’ selectivity, stability, and scalability. This review examines MOF-based biosensing platforms, their design strategies, and detection mechanisms while addressing key obstacles in transitioning from lab-scale to real-world deployment. By highlighting recent advances and unmet needs, we aim to guide the development of next-generation biosensors for antioxidant monitoring in clinical, industrial, and environmental settings.