A Review of Biomass-Derived Nanomaterials as Functional Interfaces for Advanced Electrochemical Hormone Detection

Clinical Snapshot

Key Findings

• P Value: Not reported at the review level

• Effect Size: Not applicable — no meta-analytic effect size calculated; individual study LOD values at picomolar to nanomolar concentrations are cited descriptively

• Primary Outcome: Narrative synthesis of electrochemical sensing performance of biomass-derived nanomaterial-modified electrodes for hormone detection; no pooled primary outcome reported

• Nnt Or Sensitivity: Not reported — no diagnostic accuracy metrics (sensitivity, specificity, AUC) are synthesised at the review level; individual study analytical sensitivity values are discussed narratively without pooling

• Confidence Interval: Not reported — no confidence intervals provided for any synthesised estimate

Clinical Application

Low clinical feasibility at present. The sensors described are at proof-of-concept or early prototype stage. Barriers to clinical translation include: lack of standardised signal quantification, unresolved selectivity challenges in complex biological matrices (serum, urine, saliva), absence of clinical validation studies, and no regulatory approval pathway demonstrated. Scale-up from laboratory to manufacturable point-of-care device remains unaddressed. In the Australian context, hormone testing is predominantly performed via accredited pathology laboratories using immunoassay platforms (e.g., chemiluminescent immunoassay) regulated under the National Pathology Accreditation Advisory Council (NPAAC) standards. Any novel electrochemical hormone sensor would require TGA registration as an in vitro diagnostic medical device (IVD) under the Therapeutic Goods (Medical Devices) Regulations 2002. PBS-listed hormone tests (e.g., TSH, free T4, cortisol, oestradiol) are subject to MBS item number criteria. Point-of-care IVD devices face additional TGA scrutiny under the IVD regulatory framework reform (effective 2024). RCPA and RACGP guidelines for hormone testing do not currently endorse electrochemical biosensor platforms. The technology described in this review is not ready for Australian clinical deployment. Potentially applicable to patients requiring hormone monitoring (e.g., thyroid disorders, reproductive endocrinology, adrenal conditions, diabetes-related hormones) if the technology achieves clinical validation — currently applicable only to research and development contexts

Abstract

The study of high-performance sensing platforms is essential to achieve a high sensitivity for hormonal analytes, short response times, and cost-effectiveness. Nevertheless, standard analytical procedures, such as high-performance liquid chromatography, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (HPLC, ICP-MS, and GC-MS), are rather limited because their sensitivity is low at pM/nM concentrations, and the costs of these processes are too high. Moreover, modern sensor technology can be ill-equipped to selectively respond to intricate biological sample types, and there is no single standard used to quantify sensor signals. This review addresses these knowledge gaps by providing a comprehensive discussion on the role of biomass-derived materials as useful interfaces in electrochemical hormone sensing systems. To achieve improved results, we critically investigated the recent advances in the electrode modification process through biomass-based nanomaterials to promote electron transfer kinetics and interfacial engineering. The present article also discusses contemporary issues such as problems with stability, reproducibility, and selectivity in complex matrices. Furthermore, we highlighted some of the new approaches, such as the development of artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, and wearable point-of-care devices, to create the next generation hormone sensors. Overall, this current review is a comprehensive overview of biomass-derived materials, which have the prospect of enhancing surface modification at the advanced phase, AI integration, and the development of point-of-care diagnostics.

References

1. 1.Malode, S. J., Dube, A., Alodhayb, A. N., & Shetti, N. P. (2026). A review of biomass-derived nanomaterials as functional interfaces for advanced electrochemical hormone detection. ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsbiomaterials.6c00526