Advances in Nanozyme Catalysis for Food Safety Detection: A Comprehensive Review on Progress and Challenges

Abstract

The prosperity of enzyme-mimicking catalysis has promoted the development of nanozymes with diversified activities, mainly including catalase-like, oxidase-like, peroxidase-like, and superoxide dismutase-like characteristics. Thus far, the reported nanozymes can be roughly divided into five categories, comprising noble metals, metal oxides, carbon-based nanostructures, metal-organic frameworks, and covalent organic frameworks. This review systematically summarizes the research progress of nanozymes for improving catalytic activity toward sensing applications in food safety monitoring. Specifically, we highlight the unique advantages of nanozymes in enhancing the performance of colorimetric, fluorescence, and electrochemical sensors, which are crucial for detecting various food contaminants. Moreover, this review addresses the challenges faced in food safety detection, such as the need for high sensitivity, selectivity, and stability under complex food matrices. Nanozymes offer promising solutions by providing robust catalytic activity, adjustable enzyme-like properties, and excellent stability, even in harsh environments. However, practical implementation challenges remain, including the need for a deeper understanding of nanozyme catalytic mechanisms, improving substrate selectivity, and ensuring long-term stability and large-scale production. By focusing on these aspects, this review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of nanozyme-based sensors for food safety detection and to inspire future research directions.

Keywords: biomimic catalysis; food safety monitoring; nanozymes; sensing application.

Figure 11

(A) Detection of glyphosate using ZrOX-OH nanozyme-catalyzed dephosphorylation of AMPPD [282]; (B) Detection of EB virus antibodies using MOF-FeP [283]; (C) Enhanced detection of dopamine by CoMoO₄ nanorods in the chemiluminescence system of luminol/H₂O₂ [286]; (D) Detection of H₂O₂ using Prussian blue/MIL-101 nanozyme-based paper sensor [285].

Figure 1

The timeline for the development of nanozymes [40].

Figure 2

Catalytic kinetic activity of MOFs toward substrates: (A) Schematic diagram (Catalytic kinetic activity of ZiF-67 (a,d), unwashed MIP@MOF (b,e), washed MIP@MOF (c,f) as the substrates) [70] and (B) Mechanism diagram [69].

Figure 3

(A) Gold nanoparticle assembly guided by DNA origami templates [89]; (B) Etching to synthesize Pt nanocubes: (a) Schematic illustration for the growth process of PdAuNRs and (b) the compared route for other PdAu nanostructure [90]; (C) Selective deposition to form Pd-Au bimetallic nanocrystals [91]; (D) Electrochemical directional opportunity to form three-dimensional rhodium nanoframeworks [93].

Figure 4

(A) Synthesis of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles by pulsed laser ablation [111]; (B) Synthesis of Pt/TiO₂ nanoparticles by hydrothermal/solvothermal method [113]; (C) Synthesis of OM-CeO₂@C nanozymes by pyrolysis of MOFs precursors [114].

Figure 5

(A) Eu/Zr-MOF@TC [163] and (B) RF-Nico-LDH [164] synthesized by the hydrothermal method.

Figure 6

(A) Synthesis of In₂S₃/TpBpy COFs by solvothermal method [177]; (B) Synthesis of COFs at room temperature by ball milling [178]; (C) Preparation of ultrathin COF films by liquid–liquid interfacial self-assembly [179]; (D) Synthesis of photoresponsive COFs [180].

Figure 7

(A) Schematic diagram of antioxidant detection using Au₂Pt bimetallic nanozyme arrays [219]; (B) Practical detection of pesticides using the inhibitory/enhancing effects of Pt NPs nanozymes (UV–vis absorbance spectra of the TMB-Pt NPs chromogenic system under different conditions for figures a, b, c, and d) [220]; (C) Schematic diagram of pesticide detection using the inhibitory/enhancing effects of Pt NPs nanozymes [221]; (D) Practical detection of organophosphorus pesticides using CeO₂@NC nanozymes ((a) UV/Vis spectra change with various concentrations of paraoxon. (b) Standard curve for paraoxon detection. (c) Comparison of UV absorbance of different pesticides.(d) UV absorbance of paraoxon and parathion) [223].

Figure 8

(A) Schematic diagram of xanthine detection using an ultrabright lysozyme-functionalized fluorescent probe ((a) Fabrication of MT-LZ@GNCs. (b) Fluorescence sensing strategy of MT-LZ@GNCs/Fe/C NS) [234]; (B) Schematic diagram of catechol detection by NH₂-Cu-MOF ratiometric fluorescence [237]; (C) Schematic diagram of the degradation mechanism for Fe₃O₄@CeO₂/Tb-MOF magnetic fluorescent nanozyme detection [238].

Figure 9

(A) Detection of organophosphorus pesticides using MnO₂ nanosheet-based homogeneous electrochemical sensors [251]; (B) Construction of smartphone-assisted dual-mode biosensors using SA-Fe-NZ [253]; (C) Detection of p-nitrophenol using Ni-NCs/PEI composites [254]; (D) Detection of hydrazine by electrodepositing gold nanoparticles on MIL-53 (Fe, Ni) MOF-derived nanostructures [255].

Figure 10

(A) Detection of antioxidants using Fe-SA/Ti₃C₂Tx nanozyme-enhanced Raman spectroscopy [272]; (B) Dual-mode paper sensor based on AuNPs/4-MPy for Hg²⁺ detection [273]; (C) Detection of Cr (VI) by dual-functional AuNPs-catalyzed oxidation of TMB [274]; (D) Detection of microplastics using biomimetic Ag/ZnO nanorod arrays [276].