Enzyme-Assisted Metal-Organic Framework Sensing System for Diethylstilbestrol Detection

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Materials Science
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) show promise for environmental monitoring.
• Detecting complex pollutants like endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) using MOFs remains challenging due to their stability and structural similarities.
• Enzymatic reactions offer a potential solution for enhancing MOF-based sensing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop the first enzyme-assisted MOF-fluorescent-sensing system.
• To detect endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), specifically diethylstilbestrol (DES).
• To overcome challenges in EDC detection using MOFs.

Main Methods:

• Developed an enzyme-assisted MOF-fluorescent-sensing system.
• Utilized horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to oxidize DES to its quinone form.
• Employed a stilbene-based luminescent MOF for selective capture of the DES quinone product, inducing a fluorescence response.

Main Results:

• The developed system successfully detected diethylstilbestrol (DES).
• Achieved high sensitivity with a detection limit (DL) of 89 nm.
• Demonstrated the ability to distinguish DES from structurally similar EDCs.

Conclusions:

• Enzyme-assisted MOF-fluorescent-sensing is a viable approach for detecting complex environmental pollutants.
• This method offers high sensitivity and selectivity for endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) like DES.
• The combined enzymatic reaction and MOF adsorption strategy enhances sensing capabilities for challenging analytes.