{"title":"Methods for the detection and quantification of micro- and nano-plastic particles in the environment","authors":"Aisha Ilyas , Richard D. Webster","doi":"10.1016/j.trac.2026.118682","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trac.2026.118682","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Microplastic pollution has emerged as a significant environmental concern, driving the need for reliable detection methodologies. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current approaches used for microplastic analysis, including sampling strategies, sample treatment methods, and detection techniques. To ensure consistency and comparability across studies, standardized protocols for sampling, sample treatment, and detection are urgently needed. Sampling techniques vary depending on the environmental matrix, e.g., water, sediment, biota, and air. Sample treatment strategies, including digestion, oxidation, and enzymatic degradation, are essential for removing naturally occurring organic contaminants while preserving microplastic integrity. Density separation is often applied to remove the inorganic part of the matrix, and the final treatment step often involves a volume reduction method such as filtration to concentrate microplastics. However, these processes must be carefully optimized to minimize sample loss, degradation, and contamination from plastic apparatus. The review discusses the application of spectroscopic methods such as Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy that remain the most widely used techniques, while also describing emerging methods such as electrochemical studies, hyperspectral imaging, and terahertz spectroscopy. Mass spectrometry (MS) coupled approaches such as gas chromatography (GC-MS), pyrolysis GC-MS, liquid chromatography (LC-MS), and inductively coupled plasma (ICP-MS) that enable quantification are also covered in the following review.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":439,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Analytical Chemistry","volume":"197 ","pages":"Article 118682"},"PeriodicalIF":12.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146049000","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
João Pinto da Costa , Ana Paço , Andy M. Booth , Jes Vollertsen , Alvise Vianello , Teresa Rocha-Santos
{"title":"Stakeholder-centric perspectives on micro- and nanoplastic analysis: needs, gaps, and analytical capabilities","authors":"João Pinto da Costa , Ana Paço , Andy M. Booth , Jes Vollertsen , Alvise Vianello , Teresa Rocha-Santos","doi":"10.1016/j.trac.2026.118697","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trac.2026.118697","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Micro- and nanoplastics are increasingly recognized as ubiquitous environmental contaminants with potential implications for ecological and human health. However, many knowledge gaps remain that inhibit comprehensive analyses of the existing data, and, typically, test materials used differ greatly in morphology, surface chemistry and composition from those occurring in the environment. Herein, a comprehensive, stakeholder-oriented evaluation of current analytical capabilities, data needs, and methodological limitations in the quantification of these materials is presented, drawing on the perspectives and needs of regulatory and monitoring authorities, industry, commercial laboratories, academic researchers, and public health organizations, among others.</div><div>We advocate for a multi-methodological framework tailored to matrix complexity and stakeholder objectives. Recommendations include prioritizing method harmonization, investing in high-throughput, cost-effective technologies, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration to address persistent knowledge gaps. The development of open-access databases and standardized metadata reporting is emphasized as essential for enhancing data comparability and utility across sectors.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":439,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Analytical Chemistry","volume":"197 ","pages":"Article 118697"},"PeriodicalIF":12.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146049041","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Xiang-Peng Li , Jiong-Cheng Wu , Chang-Hao Zhao , Hui-Ke Yang , Gao Zhang , Liang-Can He , Bo-Zhao Li , Wanhai Xu , Da-Yong Hou
{"title":"Progress and trends in PET/NIRF-based dual-modality imaging probes","authors":"Xiang-Peng Li , Jiong-Cheng Wu , Chang-Hao Zhao , Hui-Ke Yang , Gao Zhang , Liang-Can He , Bo-Zhao Li , Wanhai Xu , Da-Yong Hou","doi":"10.1016/j.trac.2026.118706","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trac.2026.118706","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The demand for precise clinical diagnosis and treatment monitoring has significantly contributed to the development of molecular imaging, providing a powerful tool for tumor imaging. However, the information provided by single-modal imaging techniques remains limited. By combining two complementary imaging technologies, dual-modality imaging offers more accurate diagnosis and research tools for diagnosis and treatment of tumors. This paper reviews the design strategies and progress of dual-modality imaging probes, particularly those incorporating near-infrared (NIR) or PET in combination with complementary imaging modalities, and introduces their recent biomedical applications in tumor diagnosis and treatment monitoring. In addition, we focus on chemical construction methods of probes, synergistic mechanisms of imaging, and in vivo metabolic properties, and analyze the current challenges and future development directions of clinical translation. Through interdisciplinary cooperation, the designed dual-modality probes are expected to play a key role in improving diagnostic efficiency of various complex diseases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":439,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Analytical Chemistry","volume":"197 ","pages":"Article 118706"},"PeriodicalIF":12.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146076714","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Microneedles biosensors for disease diagnosis: From fabrication to AI enhancement","authors":"Min Wu, Lei Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.trac.2026.118731","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trac.2026.118731","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Early and accurate disease diagnosis is crucial for timely intervention and improved patient recovery. However, current diagnostic methods face significant technical challenges in enabling minimally invasive dynamic monitoring, and conventional sensors lack the ability to analyze large-scale datasets accurately and efficiently. Microneedles (MNs) technology, as a minimally invasive platform for biosensing, offers an innovative approach for biomarker monitoring when integrated with artificial intelligence (AI). Unlike existing reviews that broadly discuss AI applications in biosensing, this review focuses on the MNs biosensors, systematically analyzing material diversity, structural design innovations, and sensing mechanisms. We highlight how AI specifically address MNs-related challenges in high-dimensional biometric data processing, thereby significantly improving biosensing performance. Furthermore, we critically evaluate current bottlenecks and propose pathways for future development. This work provides a reference for the development of intelligent MNs biosensing, particularly in advancing the transformation of healthcare systems from passive detection to proactive, integrated diagnosis and treatment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":439,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Analytical Chemistry","volume":"197 ","pages":"Article 118731"},"PeriodicalIF":12.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146185678","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Machine-learning assisted 2D field-effect transistors for intelligent biosensing and analysis","authors":"Yulin Ye , Hongwei Hou , Lei Yang , Jinghong Li","doi":"10.1016/j.trac.2026.118703","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trac.2026.118703","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Two-dimensional (2D) materials enable field-effect transistor (FET) with atomic-scale channels, high carrier mobility, and strongly surface-dominated conduction, offering powerful platforms for biosensing and analysis. However, translating high-dimensional yet complex electrical signals from 2D material-based FET (2D FET) into reliable analytical outputs and decisions remains challenging. Machine learning (ML) provides a principled framework to handle non-linear responses, device-to-device variability, and high-dimensional datasets arising from multichannel and time-resolved measurements. This review introduces the principles of 2D FET sensing, including material/device architectures, transduction mechanisms, and key performance metrics. The integration of ML in 2D material design, device fabrication, and signal analytics is also discussed. Recent advances in biosensing small molecules, nucleic acids, proteins, neuromorphic activities and clinically health models are summarized. Key challenges in materials processing, interface chemistry, signal analytics, and translational deployment are finally discussed, underscoring the significance of integrating ML algorithms with advanced 2D FET sensors for next-generation health-care systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":439,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Analytical Chemistry","volume":"197 ","pages":"Article 118703"},"PeriodicalIF":12.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146185717","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Seyed Morteza Naghib , Mohammad Ali Khorasani , Azam Bagheri Pebdeni , Fariborz Sharifianjazi , Ketevan Tavamaishvili
{"title":"Coordinated MOF-2D nanosheet hybrids: Bridging structural design and multifunctional biosensing/theragnostic applications","authors":"Seyed Morteza Naghib , Mohammad Ali Khorasani , Azam Bagheri Pebdeni , Fariborz Sharifianjazi , Ketevan Tavamaishvili","doi":"10.1016/j.trac.2026.118670","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trac.2026.118670","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Coordinated metal-organic framework (MOF)-2D nanosheet hybrids represent a rapidly advancing class of multifunctional materials that bridge precise structural design with versatile biosensing and theranostic applications. This review comprehensively examines the synthesis strategies, coordination chemistry and unique physicochemical properties of MOF-2D nanosheets, emphasizing their role in enhancing sensitivity, selectivity and catalytic activity. We explore their stimuli-responsive behaviors enabling smart therapeutic activation, including controlled drug delivery, advanced imaging and photothermal therapy. The synergistic interplay between coordination sites and 2D nanosheet morphology is highlighted as a key factor driving superior biosensing performance and therapeutic efficacy. Additionally, we discuss current challenges related to stability, scalability and clinical translation, alongside emerging trends and next-generation designs poised to propel this field forward. This study offers crucial insights into the rational engineering of MOF-2D nanosheet hybrids, underscoring their potential as transformative platforms in precision medicine and multifunctional diagnostics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":439,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Analytical Chemistry","volume":"197 ","pages":"Article 118670"},"PeriodicalIF":12.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146185721","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"New trends in extraction of drugs from environmental water samples","authors":"R.M. Marcé, F. Borrull, N. Fontanals","doi":"10.1016/j.trac.2026.118708","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trac.2026.118708","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This review critically examines the most relevant extraction techniques for the determination of licit and illicit drugs in environmental water samples, with a focus on developments reported between 2020 and 2025. Particular attention is devoted to solid-phase extraction, including both commercially available and in-house prepared materials, emphasizing the advantages offered by newly developed materials, that also include those from natural sources. Miniaturized approaches are highlighted as a significant trend in extraction methods. Solvent-based techniques are also addressed, with special consideration given to the adoption of greener and more sustainable solvents, such as deep eutectic solvents and ionic liquids, and innovative designs aimed at improving the sustainability of analytical protocols. Furthermore, the review discusses several miniaturized sorptive-based techniques and the novel green and sustainable materials applied to them. The optimization of the protocols for drug determination and the quality parameters achieved when applied to environmental water samples are thoroughly discussed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":439,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Analytical Chemistry","volume":"197 ","pages":"Article 118708"},"PeriodicalIF":12.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146185951","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pramod K. Kalambate , Amol V. Pansare , Francis Ashamary , Elangovan Sivasurya , Sushil Pokhrel , Rajender Boddula , Devaraj Manoj
{"title":"Attomolar and beyond: Ultra-sensitive electrochemical biosensors for next-generation detection","authors":"Pramod K. Kalambate , Amol V. Pansare , Francis Ashamary , Elangovan Sivasurya , Sushil Pokhrel , Rajender Boddula , Devaraj Manoj","doi":"10.1016/j.trac.2026.118726","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trac.2026.118726","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This review highlights recent advances in electrochemical biosensors that integrate nanomaterials with specific bioreceptors for the sensitive and selective detection of nucleic acid biomarkers, protein biomarkers, viruses, and environmental contaminants. These sensors achieve extremely low detection limits, down to attomolar (aM), zeptomolar (zM), or yoctomolar (yM), enabling early and accurate diagnosis. The review summarizes research since 2013 on sensor design, highlighting the combined roles of nanomaterials and bioreceptors in enhancing performance. Important factors such as sensor design, sensing mechanisms, nanomaterial properties, surface modifications, and bioreceptor selection, along with strategies to improve sensitivity and selectivity, are discussed in detail. Key recent examples of electrochemical biosensors are presented, including their detection limits, working ranges, target molecules, and underlying sensing principles. The article also outlines major challenges in developing and commercializing ultra-sensitive sensors and provides future perspectives for advancing sensor technologies with improved performance, usability, and real-time capabilities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":439,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Analytical Chemistry","volume":"197 ","pages":"Article 118726"},"PeriodicalIF":12.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146185975","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Xuelian Hu , Ning Zhang , Siyu Zhang , Wanyue Pang , Guozhen Fang , Shuo Wang , Yiwei Tang
{"title":"Ratiometric fluorescence signals-driven MIP sensors: Advances in construction strategies and applications in food safety hazard factors","authors":"Xuelian Hu , Ning Zhang , Siyu Zhang , Wanyue Pang , Guozhen Fang , Shuo Wang , Yiwei Tang","doi":"10.1016/j.trac.2026.118685","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trac.2026.118685","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ratiometric fluorescence signals-driven molecularly imprinted polymer (RFSD-MIP) sensors represent a valuable analytical tool with promising applications in food safety hazard factors (FSHFs) monitoring. However, concerns persist regarding real-world applications of traditional MIP-based optical sensors due to poor anti-interference ability and low accuracy. Integrating MIP with dual/multi-emission nanomaterials not only presents viable solutions to these challenges but also expands applications. RFSD-MIP sensors have recently brought about unprecedented changes in precise, reliable, and swift food monitoring. Drawing on RFSD-MIP research for trace FSHFs detection, this review focuses on the sensing modes and underlying mechanisms, as well as the predominant components essential for constructing RFSD-MIP and relevant synthesis approaches. Furthermore, this review emphasizes the application of dual/multi-emission RFSD-MIP sensors in detecting FSHFs, along with various intriguing strategies for achieving on-site sensing and multi-target detection. Finally, the review discusses pressing challenges in the practical fabrication and application of RFSD-MIP and explores future perspectives.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":439,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Analytical Chemistry","volume":"197 ","pages":"Article 118685"},"PeriodicalIF":12.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146185723","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jiangyue Zhang , Taojie Pan , Jiayu Zhang , Yang Gu , Zhanpeng Zhu , Xiaoyu Zhong , Jie Wang , Yuchen Li , Xinke Gao , Jingyi Wang , Jiayi Li , Yulu Lin , Li Wang , Yanfei Han , Kun Zhang , Ping Yu , Kun Yin , Xu Wang , Yajun Zhang , Peng Zhang
{"title":"Genetically encoded fluorescent neurotransmitter sensors: A new frontier in molecular diagnostics and real-time brain imaging","authors":"Jiangyue Zhang , Taojie Pan , Jiayu Zhang , Yang Gu , Zhanpeng Zhu , Xiaoyu Zhong , Jie Wang , Yuchen Li , Xinke Gao , Jingyi Wang , Jiayi Li , Yulu Lin , Li Wang , Yanfei Han , Kun Zhang , Ping Yu , Kun Yin , Xu Wang , Yajun Zhang , Peng Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.trac.2026.118730","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trac.2026.118730","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Genetically encoded fluorescent sensors (GEFS) represent a transformative advance in molecular diagnostics and real-time neuroimaging. By coupling neurotransmitter recognition domains to fluorescent reporters, GEFS enable direct visualization of neurochemical signaling with millisecond temporal precision and subcellular spatial resolution. Recent innovations in periplasmic binding protein (PBP)- and G-protein-coupled receptor activation-based (GRAB) architectures have produced sensors with exceptional brightness, kinetics, and specificity for dopamine, serotonin, acetylcholine, glutamate, γ-aminobutyric acid, and other neuromodulators. Integration with electrophysiology, multiphoton and mesoscopic imaging, fiber photometry, and machine-learning analytics is bridging molecular signaling with circuit function in health and disease. Applications in Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, autism spectrum disorders, and addiction models highlight their utility as dynamic biomarkers of neurotransmission and therapeutic response. Emerging red-shifted and ratiometric sensors, non-viral delivery systems, and AI-assisted analytics are driving GEFS toward quantitative, clinically relevant neurochemical imaging and precision medicine.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":439,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Analytical Chemistry","volume":"197 ","pages":"Article 118730"},"PeriodicalIF":12.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146185955","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}