Developing a Novel Nanoscale Porphyrinic Metal-Organic Framework: A Bifunctional Platform with Sensitive Fluorescent Detection and Elimination of Nitenpyram in Agricultural Environment

Achieving "Pesticide-Pest Mutual Management" through pest-derived biochar

This study proposes a novel "pesticide-pest mutual management" strategy, transforming the traditional unidirectional impact of pesticides on pests into a sustainable and interactive process. Using the Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis, ALB) as a precursor, a series of nitrogen-rich biochars (ALB-BC) was synthesized to remove and detect insecticides used in ALB control from water. Among them, acid-modified ALB-BC (HBC 400) exhibited an exceptional adsorption capacity for thiacloprid, reaching 1591.06 mg g-1. Mechanistic studies revealed that Lewis acid-base interactions serve as the primary adsorption mechanism, underpinning ALB-BC's high affinity for thiacloprid. Additional mechanisms, including hydrogen bonding, π-π interactions, and pore filling, further enhanced adsorption performance. These interactions were attributed to the high concentrations of carbonyl and hydroxyl groups, as well as nitrogen species (e.g., pyridinic-N, pyrrolic-N) in ALB-BC, derived from the abundant peptide bonds and polysaccharide structures in ALB. Furthermore, ALB-BC effectively extracted and detected poorly water-soluble insecticides (e.g., cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, and fenitrothion) used in ALB control, alongside thiacloprid, achieving recoveries of 84 %-96 % and detection limits of 0.04-0.09 μg L-1. This study highlights the potential of utilizing forestry pest resources for sustainable applications and demonstrates promising prospects in environmental monitoring and pollution mitigation.

Inhibition of the Germination of Root Parasitic Plants by Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8

Crystalline ZIF-8 (C-ZIF-8) and amorphous ZIF-8 (Am-ZIF-8) were prepared and investigated to control the germination of Striga hermonthica, a root parasitic plant, which threatens cereal crops production particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. We have demonstrated that Am-ZIF-8 shows a better performance than C-ZIF-8 in inhibiting Striga seeds germination. This efficient performance of Am-ZIF-8 materials can be attributed to the incomplete deprotonation of 2 methylimidazole (2MIM) during amorphization, leading to the presence of unsaturated Zn-N coordination with the uncoordinated -NH groups available to undergo hydrogen bonding with the strigolactone analog GR24 forming a more stable Am-ZIF-8⋅⋅⋅GR24 hydrogen bonded network. We further established that application of ZIF-8 materials generally has no adverse effects on the growth and quality of rice crops.

Bimetallic PdCu anchored to 3D flower-like carbon material for portable and efficient detection of glyphosate

Glyphosate (Gly), as a widely used broad-spectrum herbicide, may lead to soil and water pollution due to its persistence in the environment. Herein, the co-reduction method was employed to anchor bimetallic PdCu onto the Ni and nitrogen-doped 3D Flower-like Carbon Materials (Ni@NC), creating a composite material (PdCu/Ni@NC) with high specific surface area and good catalytic performance. This composite was used to modify screen-printed electrodes (SPE) to develop a portable and efficient Gly detection platform. In the presence of Cl⁻, the copper active sites convert to CuCl, achieving signal amplification. Upon the addition of Gly, a competitive reaction between Cu and Gly converts CuCl into a Cu-Gly complex, resulting in a sharp decrease in the electrochemical signal. This signal drop is used to detect Gly. The bimetallic PdCu nanoparticles (NPs) endowed the sensing platform with better stability and electrochemical performance due to their synergistic effect, and their stability was simply verified by Density functional theory (DFT). The sensor demonstrates a linear detection range spanning from 1 × 10⁻¹ ³ to 1 × 10⁻⁵ M, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 3.72 × 10⁻¹ ⁴ M. The sensor demonstrated a recovery rate of 95.9 % to 104.5 % in actual samples such as water and soil, indicating its potential for practical application.

Construction of pyridine-functionalized metal-organic frameworks for the detection of flazasulfuron

Two novel Cu-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), namely, poly[[aquadichlorido[μ4-4'-(pyridin-4-yl)-[2,2':6',2''-terpyridine]-4,4''-dicarboxylato][μ3-4'-(pyridin-4-yl)-[2,2':6',2''-terpyridine]-4,4''-dicarboxylato]tricopper(II)] monohydrate], {[Cu3(C22H12N4O4)2Cl2(H2O)]·H2O}n or {[Cu3(PTP)2Cl2(H2O)]·H2O}n, (I), and poly[[diaquabis[μ2-4'-(pyridin-3-yl)-[2,2':6',2''-terpyridine]-4,4''-dicarboxylato]bis(μ2-terephthalato)tricopper(II)] dihydrate], {[Cu3(C22H12N4O4)2(C8H4O4)2(H2O)2]·2H2O}n or {[Cu3(BDC)2(MTP)2(H2O)2]·2H2O}n, (II), have been synthesized successfully with 4'-(pyridin-4-yl)-[2,2':6',2''-terpyridine]-4,4''-dicarboxylic acid (H2PTP) and 4'-(pyridin-3-yl)-[2,2':6',2''-terpyridine]-4,4''-dicarboxylic acid (H2MTP) as the ligands, respectively. Crystal structure analysis reveals that (II) possesses a 2D coordinated layer structure, in which adjacent 2D coordination layers are linked into 3D frameworks through π-π interactions, while the structure of (I) displays dual coordination layers, in which adjacent coordination layers are connected into a 3D framework through hydrogen-bonding interactions. The photophysical properties of the two MOFs were investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy. Complex (II) shows an obvious `turn-on' fluorescence enhancement effect towards flazasulfuron and its potential application for sensing flazasulfuron in water with high selectivity and sensitivity was also investigated in detail.

A portable europium complex-loaded fluorescent test paper combined with smartphone analysis for the on-site and visual detection of mancozeb in food samples

The on-site detection of mancozeb in food samples holds immense value for food safety. A red-fluorescent europium complex (Eu-PYDC-Phen) has been prepared and employed as a fluorescence probe for mancozeb detection. The optimized probe suspension exhibits excellent detection performances, including a wide linear range (0-0.24 mM), low detection limit (65 nM), rapid response (2 mins) and high selectivity. Moreover, a portable detection platform was carefully designed, integrating the Eu-PYDC-Phen-based fluorescent test strips with smartphone color recognition software. This innovative platform enables visual and on-site detection of mancozeb in tomato, apple, and lettuce, achieving satisfactory recovery rates (90.34 to 106.50%). Furthermore, the integration of machine learning techniques based on hierarchical clustering algorithm has the potential to further improve the prediction and decision-making efficiency in mancozeb detection. This work provides an economical, convenient, and reliable strategy for on-site detection of pesticide in agricultural products, thereby making a meaningful contribution to food safety.

Triple modal aptasensor arrays driven by CHA-mediated DNAzyme for signal-amplified atrazine pesticide accumulation monitoring in agricultural crops

Developing sensors with high selectivity and sensitivity is of great significance for pesticide analysis in environmental assessment. Herein, a versatile three-way sensor array was designed for the detection of the pesticide atrazine, based on the integration of catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA) amplification and three-mode signal transducers. With atrazine, CHA was triggered to generate abundant G-quadruplex. The produced G-quadruplex hybrid could assemble with thioflavin T (TFT) or hemin to mimic enzyme and induce the fluorescence enhancement by TFT, or the colorimetric increase by the oxidized chromogenic substrate and the naked-eye color change by inhibiting the L-cysteine-mediated aggregation of gold nanoparticles. A distinctive three-mode array was successfully constructed with convenience, on-site accessibility and high sensitivity for enzyme-free practical analysis of atrazine. It is also effective and reliable for analyzing real samples including paddy water, paddy soil and polished rice. The detection limits for atrazine were as low as 7.4 pg/mL by colorimetric observation and 0.25 pg/mL by fluorescent detection. Furthermore, the array was exploited to monitor the residue, distribution and bioaccumulation of atrazine in maize and rice for food security and environmental assessment. Hence, this work presented a versatile example for sensitive and on-site all-in-one pesticide analysis arrays with multiple signal report modes.

Metal-Organic Framework-Enabled Sustainable Agrotechnologies: An Overview of Fundamentals and Agricultural Applications

With aggravated abiotic and biotic stresses from increasing climate change, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as versatile toolboxes for developing environmentally friendly agrotechnologies aligned with agricultural practices and safety. Herein, we have explored MOF-based agrotechnologies, focusing on their intrinsic properties, such as structural and catalytic characteristics. Briefly, MOFs possess a sponge-like porous structure that can be easily stimulated by the external environment, facilitating the controlled release of agrochemicals, thus enabling precise delivery of agrochemicals. Additionally, MOFs offer the ability to remove or degrade certain pollutants by capturing them within their pores, facilitating the development of MOF-based remediation technologies for agricultural environments. Furthermore, the metal-organic hybrid nature of MOFs grants them abundant catalytic activities, encompassing photocatalysis, enzyme-mimicking catalysis, and electrocatalysis, allowing for the integration of MOFs into degradation and sensing agrotechnologies. Finally, the future challenges that MOFs face in agrotechnologies were proposed to promote the development of sustainable agriculture practices.

Smartphone-Assisted EY@MOF-5-Based Dual-Emission Fluorescent Sensor for Rapid On-Site Detection of Daclatasvir and Nitenpyram

Fluorescent metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising sensing materials with tunable and robust structural properties and remarkable luminescent capabilities. In this study, a novel dual-emission fluorescent metal-organic framework (EY@MOF-5) composite is synthesized by a one-pot bottle-around-ship approach. Eosin Y (EY) is encapsulated in MOF-5 to enhance its fluorescence properties and selectivity, effectively addressing typical MOF-5 limitations. EY@MOF-5 serves as a versatile dual-functional fluorescent sensor for two different analytes, daclatasvir (DCT) and nitenpyram (NTP), showing an impressive linear range of 10-200 nM and 0.1-300 μM, with detection limits of 233 pM and 65 nM, respectively. The established method is ultrafast, highly sensitive, and extremely selective for DCT and NTP detection in complex biological and food samples. Fluorescence results are compared and validated with the recommended UPLC method. Then, a smartphone-integrated sensing system is introduced for on-site, real-time, and quantitative analysis of DCT and NTP. The smartphone-assisted intelligent sensing method manifests promising results for DCT and NTP monitoring in biological and food samples, demonstrating its promising potential for the on-site detection of biologically and environmentally significant analytes.

Exploring Various Photochemical Processes in Optical Sensing of Pesticides by Luminescent Nanomaterials: A Concise Discussion on Challenges and Recent Advancements

Food safety is a burning global issue in this present era. The prevalence of harmful food additives and contaminants in everyday food is a significant cause for concern as they can adversely affect human health. More particularly, among the different food contaminants, the use of excessive pesticides in agricultural products is severely hazardous. So, the optical detection of residual pesticides is an effective strategy to counter the hazardous effect and ensure food safety. In this perspective, nanomaterials have played a leading role in defending the open threat against food safety instigated by the reckless use of pesticides. Now, nanomaterial-based optical detection of pesticides has reached full pace and needs an inclusive discussion. This Review covers the advancement of photoprocess-based optical detection of pesticides categorically using nanomaterials. Here, we have thoroughly dissected the photoprocesses (aggregation and aggregation-induced emission (AIE), charge transfer and intramolecular charge transfer (ICT), electron transfer and photoinduced electron transfer (PET), fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), hydrogen bonding, and inner filter effect) and categorically demarcated their significant role in the optical detection of pesticides by luminescent nanomaterials over the last few years.

Degradation of Pesticides Using Semiconducting and Tetrapyrrolic Macrocyclic Photocatalysts-A Concise Review

Exposure to pesticides is inevitable in modern times, and their environmental presence is strongly associated to the development of various malignancies. This challenge has prompted an increased interest in finding more sustainable ways of degrading pesticides. Advanced oxidation processes in particular appear as highly advantageous, due to their ability of selectively removing chemical entities form wastewaters. This review provides a concise introduction to the mechanisms of photochemical advanced oxidation processes with an objective perspective, followed by a succinct literature review on the photodegradation of pesticides utilizing metal oxide-based semiconductors as photosensitizing catalysts. The selection of reports discussed here is based on relevance and impact, which are recognized globally, ensuring rigorous scrutiny. Finally, this literature review explores the use of tetrapyrrolic macrocyclic photosensitizers in pesticide photodegradation, analyzing their benefits and limitations and providing insights into future directions.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) based luminescent and electrochemical sensors for food contaminant detection

With the increasing population, food toxicity has become a prevalent concern due to the growing contaminants of food products. Therefore, the need for new materials for toxicant detection and food quality monitoring will always be in demand. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) based on luminescence and electrochemical sensors with tunable porosity and active surface area are promising materials for food contaminants monitoring. This review summarizes and studies the most recent progress on MOF sensors for detecting food contaminants such as pesticides, antibiotics, toxins, biomolecules, and ionic species. First, with the introduction of MOFs, food contaminants and materials for toxicants detection are discussed. Then the insights into the MOFs as emerging materials for sensing applications with luminescent and electrochemical properties, signal changes, and sensing mechanisms are discussed. Next, recent advances in luminescent and electrochemical MOFs food sensors and their sensitivity, selectivity, and capacities for common food toxicants are summarized. Further, the challenges and outlooks are discussed for providing a new pathway for MOF food contaminant detection tools. Overall, a timely source of information on advanced MOF materials provides materials for next-generation food sensors.

An upconverted nanoparticle-porphyrin metal-organic framework platform for near-infrared detection of nitenpyram

A ratiometric nitenpyram (NIT) upconversion luminescence sensor UCNPs-PMOF was fabricated from a metal-porphyrin organic framework (PMOF) and pretreated UCNPs. The reaction between NIT and the PMOF releases the H₂TCPP (5,10,15,20-tetracarboxyl phenyl) porphyrin ligand, which enhances the absorption of the system at 650 nm, and reduces the upconversion emission intensity of the sensor at 654 nm through a luminescence resonance energy transfer (LRET) mechanism, thus achieving the quantitative detection of NIT. The detection limit was 0.21 μM. Meanwhile, the emission peak of UCNPs-PMOF at 801 nm does not change with the concentration of NIT, and the emission intensity ratio (I_{654 nm}/I_{801 nm}) is used to achieve the ratiometric luminescence detection of NIT, and the detection limit is 0.22 μM. UCNPs-PMOF has good selectivity and anti-interference to NIT. In addition, it has a good recovery rate in actual sample detection, which indicates that it has high practicability and reliability in NIT detection.

Nano-based smart formulations: A potential solution to the hazardous effects of pesticide on the environment

Inefficient usage, overdose, and post-application losses of conventional pesticides have resulted in severe ecological and environmental issues, such as pesticide resistance, environmental contamination, and soil degradation. Advances in nano-based smart formulations are promising novel methods to decrease the hazardous impacts of pesticide on the environment. In light of the lack of a systematic and critical summary of these aspects, this work has been structured to critically assess the roles and specific mechanisms of smart nanoformulations (NFs) in mitigating the adverse impacts of pesticide on the environment, along with an evaluation of their final environmental fate, safety, and application prospects. Our study provides a novel perspective for a better understanding of the potential functions of smart NFs in reducing environmental pollution. Additionally, this study offers meaningful information for the safe and effective use of these nanoproducts in field applications in the near future.

Selective detection of nitenpyram by silica-supported carbon quantum dots

In this study, a fluorescent sensor of nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) and silica gel hybrid was developed for the quantitative detection of nitenpyram, a toxic neonicotinoid existing in groundwater and/or surface water.The prepared N-CQDs@SiO₂ sensor exhibited remarkable sensing selectivity and sensitivity towards nitenpyram among the four pesticides and six metal ions. A prominent fluorescence quenching of N-CQDs@SiO₂ at 445 nm was observed in the presence of nitenpyram with a linear response range of 0-300.0 mg L^-1 and an estimated limit of detection of 1.53 mg L^-1. The main cause for selective sensing is that nitenpyram absorbs the excitation light of N-CQDs@SiO₂, leading to fluorescence quenching of the sensor through the inner filter effect.

Target-Responsive Metal-Organic Framework Nanosystem with Synergetic Sensitive Detection and Controllable Degradation against the Pesticide Triazophos in Contaminated Samples for Environment Assessment and Food Safety

Developing sensitive practical sensors for monitoring pesticide residues in edible foods and environmental samples is vital for food safety and environmental protection. Enzyme-inhibited biosensors offer effective alternative sensing strategies by using the inherent characteristics of pesticides. To further improve the degradation function of pesticide sensors, here, a target-triggered porphyrin metal-organic framework (MOF)-based nanosystem was designed with the synergetic bifunction of sensitive detection and controllable degradation of the triazophos pesticide. As a result of triazophos-inhibited glutathione consumption, the MOF collapsed and released the ligand porphyrin, leading to the recovery of fluorescence and photosensitization of the free porphyrin. The fluorescence recovery resulted in a sensitive detection limit of 0.6 ng mL^-1 for triazophos, which was also applied for the determination of contaminated samples and bioaccumulation in rice. Furthermore, the target-activated photocatalytic ability of porphyrin endowed the system with the ability to effectively generate reactive oxygen species for degrading triazophos with a removal rate of ∼85%, achieving eco-friendly synergetic detection and photodegradation in a controllable way. Therefore, the intelligent multifunctional MOF system demonstrated the potential of programmable systems for jointly controllable tracking and elimination of pesticide residues in the environment and opened a new avenue for designing a precise mechanism for stimulus-triggered degradation of pesticide residues accompanied by sensitive detection for environmental friendliness and food safety.

BODIPY as a Multifunctional Theranostic Reagent in Biomedicine: Self-Assembly, Properties, and Applications

The use of boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) in biomedicine is reviewed. To open, its synthesis and regulatory strategies are summarized, and inspiring cutting-edge work in post-functionalization strategies is highlighted. A brief overview of assembly model of BODIPY is then provided: BODIPY is introduced as a promising building block for the formation of single- and multicomponent self-assembled systems, including nanostructures suitable for aqueous environments, thereby showing the great development potential of supramolecular assembly in biomedicine applications. The frontier progress of BODIPY in biomedical application is thereafter described, supported by examples of the frontiers of biomedical applications of BODIPY-containing smart materials: it mainly involves the application of materials based on BODIPY building blocks and their assemblies in fluorescence bioimaging, photoacoustic imaging, disease treatment including photodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy, and immunotherapy. Lastly, not only the current status of the BODIPY family in the biomedical field but also the challenges worth considering are summarized. At the same time, insights into the future development prospects of biomedically applicable BODIPY are provided.

Constructing functional metal-organic frameworks by ligand design for environmental applications

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with unique physical and chemical properties are composed of metal ions/clusters and organic ligands, including high porosity, large specific surface area, tunable structure and functionality, which have been widely used in chemical sensing, environmental remediation, and other fields. Organic ligands have a significant impact on the performance of MOFs. Selecting appropriate types, quantities and properties of ligands can well improve the overall performance of MOFs, which is one of the critical issues in the synthesis of MOFs. This article provides a comprehensive review of ligand design strategies for functional MOFs from the number of different types of organic ligands. Single-, dual- and multi-ligand design strategies are systematically presented. The latest advances of these functional MOFs in environmental applications, including pollutant sensing, pollutant separation, and pollutant degradation are further expounded. Furthermore, an outlook section of providing some insights on the future research problems and prospects of functional MOFs is highlighted with the purpose of conquering current restrictions by exploring more innovative approaches.

Multi-emitter metal-organic frameworks as ratiometric luminescent sensors for food contamination and spoilage detection

Food contamination and spoilage is a worldwide concern considering its adverse effect on public health and food security. Real time monitoring food quality can reduce the risk of foodborne disease to consumers. Particularly, the emergence of multi-emitter luminescent metal-organic frameworks (LMOFs) as ratiometric sensory materials has provided the possibility for food quality and safety detection with high sensitivity and selectivity taking advantage of specific host-guest interactions, pre-concentrating and molecule-sieving effects of MOFs. Furthermore, the excellent sensing performance of multi-emitter MOF-based ratiometric sensors including self-calibration, multi-dimensional recognition and visual signal readout is able to meet the increasing rigor requirement of food safety evaluation. Multi-emitter MOF-based ratiometric sensors have become the focus of food safety detection. This review focuses on design strategies for different multiple emission sources assembly to construct multi-emitter MOFs materials based on at least two emitting centers. The design strategies for creating multi-emitter MOFs can be mainly classified into three categories: (1) multiple emission building blocks assembly in a single MOF phase; (2) single non-luminescent MOF or LMOF phase as a matrix for chromophore guest(s); (3) heterostructured hybrids of LMOF with other luminescent materials. In addition, the sensing signal output modes of multi-emitter MOF-based ratiometric sensors have critically discussed. Next, we highlight the recent progress for the development of multi-emitter MOF as ratiometric sensors in food contamination and spoilage detection. Their future improvement and advancing direction potential for their practical application is finally discussed.

Metal-porphyrinic framework nanotechnologies in modern agricultural management

Metal-porphyrinic frameworks are an important subclass of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). These porous materials exhibit a large number of applications for sustainable development and related environmental considerations. Their attractive features include (1) as a free base or metalated with zinc(II) or iron(II or III), they are environmentally benign, and (2) they absorb visible light and are emissive and semi-conducting, making them convenient tools for sensing agrochemicals. But the key feature that makes these nano-sized pristine materials or their composites in many ways superior to most MOFs is their ability to photo-generate reactive oxygen species with visible light, including singlet oxygen. This review describes important issues related to agriculture, including controlled delivery of pesticides and agrochemicals, detection of pesticides and pathogenic metals, elimination of pesticides and toxic metals, and photodynamic antimicrobial activity, and has an important implication for food safety. This comprehensive review presents the progress of the rather rapid developments of these functional and increasingly nano-sized materials and composites in the area of sustainable agriculture.

A comprehensive review on the pretreatment and detection methods of neonicotinoid insecticides in food and environmental samples

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The metabolism and residue status of neonicotinoids were briefly summarized in this work.

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Sample pretreatment techniques for the analysis of neonicotinoids were critically discussed.

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The commonly used detection methods for neonicotinoids residues were also pointed out.

In recent years, the residues of neonicotinoid insecticide in food and environmental samples have attracted extensive attention. Neonicotinoids have many adverse effects on human health, such as cancer, chronic disease, birth defects, and infertility. They have substantial toxicity to some non-target organisms (especially bees). Hence, monitoring the residues of neonicotinoid insecticides in foodstuffs is necessary to guarantee public health and ecological stability. This review aims to summarize and assess the metabolic features, residue status, sample pretreatment methods (solid-phase extraction (SPE), Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe (QuEChERS), and some novel pretreatment methods), and detection methods (instrument detection, immunoassay, and some innovative detection methods) for neonicotinoid insecticide residues in food and environmental samples. This review provides detailed references and discussion for the analysis of neonicotinoid insecticide residues, which can effectively promote the establishment of innovative detection methods for neonicotinoid insecticide residues.

Portable metal-organic framework alginate beads for high-sensitivity fluorescence detection and effective removal of residual pesticides in fruits and vegetables

Pesticides have been emerged as major organic pollutants in environment, owing to widely spread and intrinsic high toxicity in agricultural productivity. Herein, we designed and synthesized a practicability and portable metal-organic framework (MOF) based composite beads MOF-alginate-Ca²⁺-polyacrylic acid (kgd-M1@ACPs) consist of biocompatible host material (sodium alginate) and fluorescent center with blue emission (where kgd-M1 stands for {[Cd(tbia)·H₂O]·2H₂O}_n), which was further developed for high-efficiency and naked-eye 2,6-dichloro-4-nitroaniline (DCN) monitoring in fruits and vegetables. Significantly, the kgd-M1@ACPs shows obvious fluorescent quench towards toxic pesticide DCN with a low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.09 μM and high recovery from 98.08 to 104.37%. Moreover, the kgd-M1@ACPs also presents an excellent DCN adsorption ability. This work demonstrates that smart material kgd-M1@ACPs is expected to be a good candidate for detection and removal of DCN in real fruits and vegetables, which will present a broad prospect for monitoring and treating pesticides.

Metal-Organic Frameworks in Agriculture

Agrochemicals, which are crucial to meet the world food qualitative and quantitative demand, are compounds used to kill pests (insects, fungi, rodents, or unwanted plants). Regrettably, there are some important issues associated with their widespread and extensive use (e.g., contamination, bioaccumulation, and development of pest resistance); thus, a reduced and more controlled use of agrochemicals and thorough detection in food, water, soil, and fields are necessary. In this regard, the development of new functional materials for the efficient application, detection, and removal of agrochemicals is a priority. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with exceptional sorptive, recognition capabilities, and catalytical properties have very recently shown their potential in agriculture. This Review emphasizes the recent advances in the use of MOFs in agriculture through three main views: environmental remediation, controlled agrochemical release, and detection of agrochemicals.

Ultrafast photodegradation of nitenpyram by Ag/Ag3PO4/Zn-Al LDH composites activated by persulfate system: Removal efficiency, degradation pathway and reaction mechanism

In this study, an investigation is conducted into the degradation of nitenpyram (NTP) using highly efficient APMMO/PDS/Vis system. As photocatalysts, silver phosphate (AP) and calcined Zn-Al layered double hydroxides (MMO) exhibit high efficiency in achieving charge separation. Besides, the injection of electrons into peroxydisulfate (PDS) from the APMMO can contribute to obtaining the species in the active state with higher efficiency. Based on the APMMO/PDS/Vis system, 50 mg/L of nitenpyram (NTP, 50 mL) can be completely removed in 60 min using 0.8 g/L photocatalyst and 0.2 g/L PDS under the optimum condition and visible light (780 nm > λ > 420 nm). Meanwhile, as demonstrated under visible light within 30 min, an ultrahigh degradation efficiency can be achieved by NTP based on APMMO1/PDS/Vis system. Besides, the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) technique and radical quenching experiments suggested ¹O₂, h⁺, SO₄^-•, •O₂^-, and •OH are all contributory to the removal of pollutants. Given the outcomes achieved by LC/MS system and mass spectrometry, the primary degradation intermediates of NTP end up being converted into photodegradation products (such as 2-Chloropyridine, 6-Chloropurine Riboside and dl-Leucine). Additionally, there are three potential photodegradation pathways to NTP degradation have been deployed. Moreover, the NTP light degradation occurring in APMMO1/PDS/Vis system is competent under the three types of real water sample. Accordingly, the high-efficiency APMMO1/PDS/Vis system is fit for use in water pollution control for agricultural productions.

MOF-based multi-stimuli-responsive supramolecular nanoplatform equipped with macrocycle nanovalves for plant growth regulation

Controllable and on-demand delivery of agrochemicals such as plant hormones is conducive to improving agrochemicals utilization, tackling water and environmental pollution, reducing soil acidification, and realizing the goals of precision agriculture. Herein, a smart plant hormone delivery system based on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and supramolecular nanovalves, namely gibberellin (GA)-loaded CLT6@PCN-Q, is constructed through supramolecular host-guest interaction to regulate the growth of dicotyledonous Chinese cabbage and monocotyledonous wheat. The porous nanoscale MOF (NMOF) with a uniform diameter of 97 nm modified by quaternary ammonium (Q) stalks is served as a cargo reservoir, followed by the decoration of carboxylated leaning tower[6]arene (CLT6) based nanovalves on NMOF surfaces through host-guest interactions to fabricate CLT6@PCN-Q with a diameter of ∼101 nm and a zeta potential value of -13.2 mV. Interestingly, the as-fabricated supramolecular nanoplatform exhibits efficient cargo loading and multi-stimuli-responsive release under various external stimuli including pH, temperature, and competitive agent spermine (SPM), which can realize the on-demand release of cargo. In addition, GA-loaded CLT6@PCN-Q is capable of effectively promoting the seeds germination of wheat and stem growth of dicotyledonous Chinese cabbage and monocotyledonous wheat (1.86 and 1.30 times of control groups, respectively). The smart supramolecular nanoplatform based on MOFs and supramolecular nanovalves paves a way for the controlled delivery of plant hormones and other agrochemicals for promoting plant growth, offering new insights and methods to realize precision agriculture. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: To achieve controllable and sustainable release of cargos such as agrochemicals, a smart MOF-based multi-stimuli-responsive supramolecular nanoplatform equipped with supramolecular nanovalves was fabricated via the host-guest interaction between quaternary ammonium stalks-functionalized nanoMOFs and water-soluble leaning tower[6]arene. The as-prepared supramolecular nanoplatform with uniform diameter distribution demonstrated good cargo release in response to various external stimuli. The installation of synthetic macrocycles could effectively reduce cargo loss in the pre-treatment process. This type of supramolecular nanoplatform exhibited good promoting effect on seed germination and plant growth dicotyledonous Chinese cabbage and monocotyledonous wheat. As an eco-friendly, controlled, and efficient cargo delivery system, this supramolecular nanoplatform will be a promising candidate in precision agriculture and controlled drug release to attract the broad readership.

Highly sensitive fluorescent quantification of acid phosphatase activity and its inhibitor pesticide Dufulin by a functional metal-organic framework nanosensor for environment assessment and food safety

Developing a rapid and accurate strategy of sensing Dufulin is a vital challenge for risk assessment and food crops along with its spreading usage. Herein a dye-encapsulated azoterephthalate metal-organic framework (MOF)-based fluorescent sensing system was designed for Dufulin analysis by acid phosphatase (ACP) enzyme-controlled collapse of MOF framework and subsequent release of the encapsulated dye. The fluorescence intensity of the DMOF/AAP/ACP system was negatively related to the dosage of Dufulin (0-5 μg mL^-1) with detection limit of 2.96 ng mL^-1. The sensing system able to rapidly and sensitively sense the activity of ACP and Dufulin, and was also applicable for assessment of the real samples including paddy water and soil, polished rice and cucumber. Accordingly, this study illustrated the feasibility and the potential of MOF-derived nanosensors for improving pesticide analysis and opening up the design of the enzyme-based probes for pesticide sensing in environmental assessment and food safety.

Porphyrin-based MOFs as heterogeneous photocatalysts for the eradication of organic pollutants and toxins

Water and air pollution are among the major environmental challenges of this era. Waste management, economic sustainable development and renewable energy are unavoidable concomitant considerations. Over the past five years, nanosized metal-organic frameworks (nano-MOFs) have been developed for the elimination of pollutants in wet media and air-born toxins using the highly efficient reactive oxygen species (ROS) of type I (H2O2, •OH, O[Formula: see text] and of type II (1O[Formula: see text]. The ROS are catalytically and efficiently generated through photosensitization, and porphyrins and metalloporphyrins are pigments of choice for this purpose. This short review summarizes the fundamentals of ROS generation by porphyrin-based nano-MOFs (mainly through the formation of ROS type II) and their composites (leading to ROS type I), which includes energy and electron transfer processes, and their applications in these environmental issues.

The strength in Numbers! Porphyrin hybrid nanostructured materials for chemical sensing

The development of chemical sensors is an urgent need for both environmental and health issues. The breakthrough needed for the advancement of these devices is the development of efficient receptors. Porphyrins have been widely used as sensing layers in chemical sensors, but their integration with nanostructures can greatly boost the performance of these macrocycles, improving from one side the stability of the sensing layer, and from the other, offering additional interaction mechanisms with target analytes. We present here some recent examples of hybrid materials prepared by the integration of porphyrins with metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, porphyrin-based metal organic frameworks and their exploitation as sensing layers in chemical sensors.

Nanoscale Metal-Organic Frameworks as Fluorescence Sensors for Food Safety

Food safety has attracted attention worldwide, and how to detect various kinds of hazardous substances in an efficient way has always been a focus. Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are a class of hybrid porous materials formed by organic ligand and metal ions. Nanoscale MOFs (NMOFs) exhibit great potential in serving as fluorescence sensors for food safety due to their superior properties including high accuracy, great stability, fast response, etc. In this review, we focus on the recent development of NMOFs sensing for food safety. Several typical methods of NMOFs synthesis are presented. NMOFs-based fluorescence sensors for contaminants and adulterants, such as antibiotics, food additives, ions and mycotoxin etc. are summarized, and the sensing mechanisms are also presented. We explore these challenges in detail and provide suggestions about how they may be surmounted. This review could help the exploration of NMOFs sensors in food related work.

Advance in Methodology and Strategies To Unveil Metabolic Mechanisms of Pesticide Residues in Food Crops

Pesticide residues are a food safety concern. A good detection method is critical for rapid and accurate determination of pesticide metabolites in crops and studying metabolism. The pretreatment methods have mainly been ultrasonic extraction-solid-phase extraction and QuEChERS, while detection methods have been radio-chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass spectrometry. This perspective briefed the progress of analytical methods used for studying pesticide transformation in crops over the past decade. With the combination of the characteristics of the pesticide molecular structure and the transformation principles of pesticides in crops, we presented specific methods for elucidating new metabolites and the approaches to identify metabolites using multi-high-resolution mass spectrometry.

New frontiers and prospects of metal-organic frameworks for removal, determination, and sensing of pesticides

Pesticides have been widely used in agriculture to control, reduce, and kill insects. Humans are also being using pesticides to control insidious animals in daily life. By these practices, a huge volume of pesticides is introduced to the environment. Despite broad-spectrum applicability, pesticides also have hazardous effects on both humans and animals at high and low concentrations. Long-term exposure to pesticides can cause different diseases, like leukemia, lymphoma, and cancers of the brain, breasts, prostate, testis, and ovaries. Reproductive disorders from pesticides include birth defects, stillbirth, spontaneous abortion, sterility, and infertility. Therefore, the application of determination and treatment methods for pre-concentration and removal of these toxic materials from the environment appears a vital concern. To date, different materials and approaches have been employed for these purposes. Among these approaches, multifunctional metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)-assisted adsorption and determination processes have always been in the spotlight. These facts are due to exclusive properties of MOFs in terms of the crystallinity, large surface area, high chemical, and physical stability, and controllable structure as well as unique features of adsorption and determination process in terms of simple, easy, cheap, available method and ability to use in large and industrial scales. In the present work, we illustrate the exceptional features of MOFs as well as the possible mechanism for the adsorption of pesticides by MOFs. The use of these fantastic materials for pre-concentration and removal of pesticides are extensively explored. In addition, the performance of MOFs was compared with other adsorbents. Finally, the new frontiers and prospects of MOFs for the determination, sensing, and removal of pesticides are presented.

Detection of Carboxylesterase 1 and Chlorpyrifos with ZIF-8 Metal-Organic Frameworks Using a Red Emission BODIPY-Based Probe

In this work, a red emission fluorescent probe CBZ-BOD@zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) was fabricated based on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for detecting carboxylesterase 1 (CES1). The small molecule probe CBZ-BOD was first synthesized and then used to prepare the functionalized MOF material. ZIF-8 was chosen as an encapsulation shell to improve the detection properties of CBZ-BOD. Using this unique porous materials, ultrasensitive quantification of CES1 and chlorpyrifos was successfully realized. The low detection limit and high fluorescence quantum yield were calculated as 1.15 ng/mL and 0.65 for CBZ-BOD@ZIF-8, respectively. CBZ-BOD@ZIF-8 has good biocompatibility and was successfully applied to monitor the activity of CES1 in living cells. A molecular docking study was used to explore the binding of CES1 and CBZ-BOD, finding that CES1 can bind with the probe before and after hydrolysis. This type of materialized probe can inspire the development of fluorescent tools for further exploration of many pathological processes.

A historical perspective on porphyrin-based metal-organic frameworks and their applications

Porphyrins are important molecules widely found in nature in the form of enzyme active sites and visible light absorption units. Recent interest in using these functional molecules as building blocks for the construction of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have rapidly increased due to the ease in which the locations of, and the distances between, the porphyrin units can be controlled in these porous crystalline materials. Porphyrin-based MOFs with atomically precise structures provide an ideal platform for the investigation of their structure-function relationships in the solid state without compromising accessibility to the inherent properties of the porphyrin building blocks. This review will provide a historical overview of the development and applications of porphyrin-based MOFs from early studies focused on design and structures, to recent efforts on their utilization in biomimetic catalysis, photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, sensing, and biomedical applications.

A highly selective and recyclable sensor for the electroanalysis of phosphothioate pesticides using silver-doped ZnO nanorods arrays

Silver-doped ZnO nanorods (Ag/ZnO) arrays have in-situ grown onto indium tin oxide (ITO) via the one-pot hydrothermal route towards a highly selective and recyclable electroanalysis of phosphothioate pesticides (PTs) with phoxim (Phox) as a model. It was discovered that the Ag/ZnO arrays-modified electrode could obtain a steady and sharp electrochemical output of solid-state Ag/AgCl at a low potential (i.e., 0.12 V). More importantly, the achieved Ag/AgCl signals could decrease selectively induced by sulfide (S)-containing Phox by the specific Cl-S displacement reaction, which would trigger AgCl into non-electroactive Ag-Phox complex. The Ag/ZnO arrays-modified sensors present a linear range from 0.050 to 700.0 μM for the detection of Phox, with a limit of detection down to 0.010 μM. The practical applicability of the developed electroanalysis strategy was successfully employed to detect Phox in the tap water and cabbage samples. Moreover, the photocatalytic performances of the Ag/ZnO arrays were subsequently verified for the degradation of Phox, displaying the higher photocatalytic efficiency than pure ZnO nanorods. Besides, the as-developed sensor can allow for the recyclable detection of Phox by the Ag/ZnO-photocatalyzed removal of Phox after each of the detection cycles. Therefore, the sensors platform based on Ag/ZnO arrays can be expected to have potential for the electrochemical monitoring and photocatalytic degradation of toxic pesticides in the food and environmental fields.

Construction of a red emission fluorescent protein chromophore-based probe for detection of carboxylesterase 1 and carbamate pesticide in culture cells

Designing fluorescent probe for detecting carboxylesterase 1 is remains challenging. Herein, a red emission human carboxylesterase 1 (CES1) probe (CAE-FP) was synthesized based on fluorescent protein chromophore. Probe CAE-FP can specific detect human CES1 with high selectively. The fluorescence quantum yield was calucated as 0.19. The carboxylic acid ester in CAE-FP could be easily hydrolyzed by CES1 under physiological conditions, and this process could induce the obvious fluorescence signal in red emission region. The detection limit of CES1 was calculated as 84.5 ng/mL. Due to the biological detoxification mechanism of carboxylesterase and the obvious inhibitory effect of pesticides on its activity, CAE-FP was applied to detect carbamate pesticide and have achieved good application results. Since fluorescent protein chromophore has excellent biocompatibility, probe CAE-FP with good cell membrane permeable and was successfully applied to monitor the real activities of CES1 in living cells. In summary, this is one of the few reported fluorescent probes that can specific detect the real-time activity of CES1 in biological samples. Besides, we first applied the fluorescent protein chromophore to construct the specific target enzyme probe. This work would contribute to further investigate CES1-associated physiological and pathological processe.

Effective nitenpyram detection in a dual-walled nitrogen-rich In(iii)/Tb(iii)–organic framework

A heterometallic MOF probe with the advantages of strong fluorescence, simple synthesis, high density of Lewis acidic and basic sites, and repeatable use, has been designed and synthesized, which exhibits a rapid and sensitive reaction to nitenpyram.

Introducing reticular chemistry into agrochemistry

For survival and quality of life, human society has sought more productive, precise, and sustainable agriculture. Agrochemistry, which solves farming issues in a chemical manner, is the core engine that drives the evolution of modern agriculture. To date, agrochemistry has utilized chemical technologies in the form of pesticides, fertilizers, veterinary drugs and various functional materials to meet fundamental demands from human society, while increasing the socio-ecological consequences due to inefficient use. Thus, more useful, precise, and designable scaffolding materials are required to support sustainable agrochemistry. Reticular chemistry, which weaves molecular units into frameworks, has been applied in many fields based on two cutting-edge porous framework materials, namely metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent-organic frameworks (COFs). With flexibility in composition, structure, and pore chemistry, MOFs and COFs have shown increasing functionalities associated with agrochemistry in the last decade, potentially introducing reticular chemistry as a highly accessible chemical toolbox into agrochemical technologies. In this critical review, we will demonstrate how reticular chemistry shapes the future of agrochemistry in the fields of farm sensing, agro-ecological preservation and reutilization, agrochemical formulations, smart indoor farming, agrobiotechnology, and beyond.

Excitation of Surface Plasmon Resonance on Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Metasurfaces for Pesticide Sensors

With the rapid advances in functional optoelectronics, the research on carbon-based materials and devices has become increasingly important at the terahertz frequency range owing to their advantages in terms of weight, cost, and freely bendable flexibility. Here, we report an effective material and device design for a terahertz plasmonic metasurface sensor (PMS) based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs). CNT metasurfaces based on silicon wafers have been prepared and obvious resonant transmission peaks are observed experimentally. The enhanced resonant peaks of transmission spectra are attributed to the surface plasmon polariton resonance, and the transmission peaks are further well explained by the Fano model. Furthermore, the different concentration gradients of pesticides (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic and chlorpyrifos solutions) have been detected by the designed PMSs, showing the lowest detection mass of 10 ng and the sensitivities of 1.38 × 10^-2/ppm and 2.0 × 10^-3/ppm, respectively. Good linear relationships between transmission amplitude and pesticide concentration and acceptable reliability and stability have been obtained. These materials and device strategies provide opportunities for novel terahertz functional devices such as sensors, detectors, and wearable terahertz imagers.