Next generation smart functionalized nanocomposites for ultrasensitive and real time detection of purine derived metabolic biomarkers.

The monitoring of metabolic biomarkers is currently undergoing a radical change from traditional centralized laboratory standards to decentralized point-of-care testing, particularly in the management of metabolic disorders, such as gout, and renal dysfunction. This review explores next-generation functionalized nanocomposites such as metal-organic frameworks, two-dimensional (2D) transition-metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides (MXenes) and Single-Atom Nanozymes (SANs) which function as sensitive elements in sensing platforms for biomarkers detection and serve as robust, non-enzymatic mimics to address the stability challenges associated with natural enzymes. Hydrothermal and green co-precipitation methods are strategic routes to fabrication, with enhanced scalability and catalytic activity. Representative analytical benchmarks demonstrate the superior performance of these platforms for metabolic biomarkers detection achieving a picomolar limit of detection (LOD) of 102 pM for Ag-Fe2O3@PAn composites and an ultra-trace fluorescence LOD of 15 pM for tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin (TCPP)-Zn0.1Co2O4 nanorods. In addition, a Nitrogen-coordinated Cobalt Single-Atom/Graphene-based Nanozyme (A-Co-NG) exhibits an extensively linear range of up to 41 950 µM with a 33 µM LOD. The review emphasizes novel biomimetic engineering approaches designed to address ongoing real-world issues, including biofouling and the interference caused by the overlapping signals from ascorbic acid and dopamine. The ingenuity and adaptability of these materials in wearable formats and applications, such as smart diapers and smartphone-assisted colorimetric sensors, offers a non-invasive roadmap for continuous real-time monitoring of metabolic processes and personalized health care. This review offers a comprehensive survey of the technological landscape for metabolic biomarkers measurements, transitioning from centralized laboratory diagnostics to decentralized point-of-care testing (POCT). It presents sophisticated sensing systems that employ highly sensitive sensors for the instantaneous identification of purine-based metabolic biomarkers, indicating a notable shift in technological advancements and their implications for human interaction. Furthermore, the review examines significant obstacles that impact the effectiveness of these technologies, limiting their practical use in real-world situations.