Exploring the frontiers of emerging amino acid sensors: A review

Amino acids are an integral part of living species as they are building blocks of proteins. Due to their extremely stable biocompatible nature and a major component of body metabolism, they have been widely employed in the fields of drug delivery, cell imaging, nutrition, and human health. The emerging interest in the field of amino acid sensing for biological applications creates beneficial and novel opportunities for the fabrication of new-generation materials. The small change in the physiological level of amino acids leads to metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and serious neurological situations. Therefore, the development of highly sustainable methods for the detection of trace amounts of amino acids is necessary for efficient clinical diagnosis. Thus, the current review offers an in-depth exploration of the current advancements in designing various types of emerging sensors (such as nanoparticles, metal–organic frameworks, carbon-based systems, organic ligands, and polymeric systems) that may facilitate precise and sensitive detection of various traces of amino acids as compared to the conventionally available systems in an effort to moderate the environmental impacts. These emerging sensors along with their opportunities and deployment in the real-world scenario has also been discussed. Simultaneously, these sensors not only retain their selectivity, but also rely on the physio-chemical behavior of material system that breaks the original limitations and connecting different fields to complement each other. Further, the review addresses the latest technologies, systems, and the significant challenges associated with amino acid sensing such as sensor stability, selectivity against interference, and practical implementation, as well as their potential future contributions to the field of biology. This review not only highlights the remarkable advancements in amino acid sensing systems but also emphasizes their potential contributions to the fields of biology, healthcare, and environmental monitoring. This review gives a new perspective on the development of sensing platforms for amino acids.