Fruits and vegetables are highly susceptible to post-harvest quality deterioration, and traditional preservation technologies can hardly meet the modern industry's demands for precision management and green development. By deeply integrating with sensors, the Internet of Things (IoT) and big data technologies, artificial intelligence (AI) enables full-link refined management covering signal collection, intelligent analysis, scheme formulation and automatic regulation, and facilitates precise control under controlled postharvest experimental conditions. Although research on AI-assisted postharvest handling is expanding rapidly, few studies systematically connect technological innovation to full-scale industrial application scenarios. Existing reviews have largely focused on individual technologies such as machine learning (ML) or only analyzed separate segments of postharvest workflows; rare efforts comprehensively analyze the integrated application of these tools across sorting, storage, cold chain monitoring and shelf-life prediction to realize targeted whole-process preservation regulation. In addition, prior literature has not fully summarized the industrial bottlenecks limiting large-scale on-site deployment. This paper sorts out targeted AI solutions for typical postharvest quality degradation of fruits and vegetables, including water loss, chilling injury, microbial contamination, and senescence caused by respiration and ethylene accumulation. Nevertheless, industrial promotion still faces multiple obstacles: inconsistent data quality, poor algorithm adaptability, high hardware costs, and the lack of unified industry standards and specifications. Looking forward, breaking bottlenecks such as cross-variety generalizable models, lightweight edge hardware and reliable data ecosystems will transform this field from scattered, experience-reliant operations into integrated intelligent decision-making systems. This can also provide technical references for global food security and sustainable agricultural development.
The identification of dyes in ancient textiles is crucial for provenance research and scientific conservation. However, the extremely significant value of these cultural relics necessitates the use of non-destructive analytical techniques. To establish a non-destructive, in-situ, accurate, and rapid method for identifying natural dyes in ancient silk fabric samples, we employed desorption electrospray ionization high-resolution mass-spectrometry imaging (DESI-MSI). By optimizing key instrumental parameters-including sample pretreatment method, DESI spray solvent composition, and DESI heated transfer line (HTL) temperature-we determined the optimal mass-spectrometry imaging conditions. The optimal conditions for achieving the highest mass-spectrometry ion peak signal intensity and the best imaging quality were as follows: employing sample pretreatment using double-sided adhesive tape; a spray solvent composed of methanol (100%, v/v) with 0.1% formic acid and 0.1 mu g/mL of leucine enkephalin; and an HTL temperature of 400 degrees C. The characteristic compound in the G42 silk fabric sample was successfully separated. Based on the characteristic mass-to-charge ratio of the major component, the compound was preliminarily identified as berberine. This result was further verified by tandem mass-spectrometry imaging and tandem mass spectra and finally confirmed by comparison with the mass spectrum of a reference standard. Consequently, the source of the dye in the sample was determined to be amur cork tree. The experiments confirmed the applicability and accuracy of the DESI-MSI method for the non-destructive analysis of precious textiles. This work underscores the urgent need to use such non-destructive techniques to provide technical support for the identification of high-value, inaccessible, or fragile silk artifacts and guide the historical tracing and preservation of these cultural relics.
While chitosan-based films are widely studied for food preservation, their practical application is often limited by inherent limitations in stability of the material, antibacterial efficacy, and long-term preservation capability. Here, we present an innovative one-pot fabrication of a multifunctional, biodegradable food packaging film based on a chitosan-potato starch matrix synergistically enhanced by calcium ascorbate (CA) and Au@Ag. CA acts as both an ionic crosslinker and an active antimicrobial/antioxidant additive, while the embedded Au@Ag nanoparticles synergistically reinforce the functional performance of the composite film. The resulting exhibits considerably improved mechanical strength (tensile strength increased from 7.58 to 8.76 MPa) and enhanced water barrier properties (WVTR reduced from 0.312 to 0.271 g·m-2·h-1). Notably, it demonstrates high water stability, nearly complete UV-blocking (≈99%), and the composite film exhibits considerably enhanced ABTS and DPPH radical-scavenging activities compared to the control CS/PS film (p > 0.05). Antibacterial testing shows 100% inhibition against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). In practical preservation tests, the lower water contact angle (WCA) of CS/PS/CA/Au@Ag film promotes strong adhesion to the grape surface, which enhances contact-active antimicrobial efficacy and results in a longer shelf life than commercial polyethylene (PE) wrap. Combined with excellent biosafety and soil-degradability, this rationally engineered composite represents a sustainable, high-performance alternative to conventional petroleum-based packaging for food preservation.
FNPs-G alleviates salt stress in cucumber by scavenging ROS, maintaining ion homeostasis, accumulating osmolytes, and regulating the phenylpropanoid pathway to enhance cell membrane stability.
In this work, two-dimensional copper-based metal–organic frameworks (Cu-MOFs) nanozymes, including cuprous oxide-tetrakis (4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin (Cu2O-TCPP) and copper-cuprous oxide-tetrakis (4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin (Cu-Cu2O-TCPP), were synthesized, which exhibit dual ascorbate oxidase (AO) and peroxidase (POD)-like activities. The reductants, such as ascorbic acid (AA), can be oxidized by the cascade AO and POD catalysis on Cu-MOFs to oxidize p-phthalic acid (PTA) and generate fluorescence. Consequently, a fluorescence sensing platform for AA and other reducing substances was established. This platform offers potential for efficient and selective monitoring of reductive species and related antioxidant levels in food systems. The results showed that the two Cu-MOFs displayed favorable linear relationships (R2 ≥ 0.99) for the detection of AA, glutathione (GSH) and L-cysteine (L-Cys). Their limits of detection (LOD) were 5.3 μM for Cu2O-TCPP and 92.5 μM for Cu-Cu2O-TCPP. Finally, by detecting real samples of vitamin C tablets and fruits, the accuracy of the two Cu-MOFs nanos enzymes was validated, with Cu2O-TCPP showing higher accuracy.
Dye-laden wastewater from aquaculture and agricultural runoff poses serious environmental challenges, calling for membranes that can deliver both high water flux and efficient dye removal. However, MOF-based composite membranes often still face trade-offs between permeance and separation efficiency, and their practical performance is limited by fouling and insufficient self-regeneration. We hypothesize that defect engineering of Cu–TCPP via tannic-acid-mediated metal–phenolic network (MPN) disruption, together with ZIF-L nanosheet interlayer modulation, can create favorable transport pathways and strengthen adsorption/ion-exchange interactions while enabling ROS-driven self-cleaning. A defect-engineered Cu–TCPP/ZIF-L nanosheet-modified PVDF membrane was prepared using an MPN strategy with tannic acid, and its dye removal performance toward malachite green and crystal violet, together with the underlying mechanisms, was systematically investigated. The optimized membrane achieves a 75.5-fold increase in water permeance to 691.20 L/(m2·h·bar) while maintaining high removal efficiencies of 97.87% for malachite green and 97.77% for crystal violet, and it exhibits self-cleaning behavior enabled by superoxide radicals and singlet oxygen. This work demonstrates an integrated Cu-TCPP–TA/ZIF-L/PVDF membrane design that combines MPN-mediated defect regulation with ZIF-L-assisted lamellar structure modulation for adsorption–degradation-based dye removal in agricultural water-related scenarios.
MOF (metal-organic framework) nanopesticides have been demonstrated to enhance the efficacy of pesticides by releasing sufficient amounts of active ingredients when triggered by environmental and biological factors, which has led to their widespread utilization in pesticide applications. Additionally, nanopesticides face several challenges, including inconsistent field performance, trade-offs between controlled release and loading capacity, and insufficient adhesion/retention on plant surfaces. In order to solve the deficiencies of ZIFs (zeolitic imidazolate frameworks) in terms of drug loading rate and stability, zinc-manganese bimetallic ZIFs (ZnMn-ZIFs) were innovatively designed and prepared as pesticide carriers in this study. Under optimal conditions, the Dinotefuran (DNF) loading capacity of ZnMn-ZIFs increased by 111.3% compared to the unoptimized carrier. In PBS at pH 5, ZnMn-ZIFs/DNF@MPN (metal polyphenol network) demonstrated rapid and efficient release, reaching a cumulative release of 96.26% within 24 h, which underscores its advantage for responsive pesticide delivery in acidic microenvironments. In addition, its photostability was significantly enhanced, and the DNF degradation rate was reduced from 98 to 53% after light exposure. The biosafety assessment showed that the germination rate of the treated by ZnMn-ZIFs/DNF@MPN increased from 87 to 93% in the carrot germination experiment. The ZnMn-ZIFs/DNF@MPN nanopesticide carrier system developed by our institute significantly enhances DNF utilization efficiency, foliar residues rose from 7.30 to 12.43%, and UV degradation fell from 98 to 53%. It demonstrates considerable promise for reducing pesticide dosage and application frequency, safeguarding agricultural product safety, and mitigating residue risks.
The nutritional quality and amino acid profiles of 165 tomato samples (66 regular and 99 cherry varieties) from Beijing and Shandong in Northern China were assessed. The results showed that the regional origin was associated with differences in Dry Matter (8.88% vs. 6.73%), Soluble Solids (8.04% vs. 5.80%), total titratable acidity (5.57 vs. 4.08 g/kg), and Lycopene levels (67.32 vs. 38.22 mg/kg). Shandong tomatoes generally showed higher values than those from Beijing. Vitamin C levels were comparable between the two regions (17.79 vs. 13.98 mg/100 g), suggesting no linkage between Vitamin C variation and Dry Matter differences in this dataset. These regional differences likely reflect integrated effects of cultivation systems, varietal composition, and environmental conditions. They may not be explained by geographic origin alone. Principal component analysis revealed regional clustering driven by the accumulation of sugars, organic acids, and amino acids, with glutamate and aspartate contributing strongly to flavor-related variation. These findings provide insights into regional tomato quality and may support precision cultivation and breeding strategies.
Immunoassays based on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) often suffer from limited sensitivity. Herein, we synthesized weakly charged AuNPs using ascorbic acid and establish a competitive immunoassay for the detection of triazophos. The weak electronegativity of these AuNPs reduces electrostatic repulsion during antibody adsorption, leading to increased antibody loading and favorable antibody orientation, thereby enhancing detection sensitivity. The triazophos antibody and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were electrostatically adsorbed onto the AuNP surface to form an antibody-AuNP-enzyme probe complex. In the immunoassay, triazophos in the sample competes with the coated antigen for binding to the Ab@AuNPs@HRP probe, and quantification is achieved through an HRP-catalyzed colorimetric reaction. The proposed method demonstrated a linear range of 1.08–22.48 µg/L, an IC50 value of 4.93 µg/L, and a detection limit as low as 0.06 µg/L. This approach eliminates the need for enzyme-labeled secondary antibodies, offering advantages such as lower cost, simpler operation, higher sensitivity, and good specificity.
The study investigated the effects of Chinese star anise on the warmed-over flavor (WOF) in precooked Chinese stewed beef (PSB) after 6 d of refrigerated storage by analyzing sensory attributes, aroma profiles, fatty acid composition, lipid oxidation, total sulfhydryl (SH) content, and protein secondary structure. All star anise addition levels (1-4%, w/w) significantly reduced key WOF-related volatiles compared with the control, and 1% addition gave the lowest odor activity values. Only 3% star anise significantly suppressed lipid oxidation, as indicated by the lowest TBARS value and the highest total unsaturated fatty acid content (∑UFA). At this level, key WOF-related compounds, including hexanal and 2,3-octanedione, decreased by over 90%. At 4%, a pro-oxidant tendency was observed. TBARS increased and ∑UFA decreased compared with the 3% group. Whereas, most lipid-derived compounds remained stable or decreased. Star anise further changed protein secondary structure and SH content, suggesting that star anise-derived components may interact with beef protein. This may alter protein conformation and influence the retention and release of WOF-related volatiles. Moreover, star anise enriched the flavor profile of the PSB and masked WOF perception. Among endowed volatiles form star anise, (E)-anethole was the dominant contributor, with the highest endowment rate value of 4.91%. Sensory evaluation revealed that the 1% group achieved the highest overall acceptance, with better balance between meaty and star anise-like aromas and weaker WOF perception. These findings support the use of star anise as an ingredient-driven strategy to mitigate WOF and improve flavor quality in industrial production of PSB.
Salt stress is one of the most significant factors limiting the output and quality of cucumber. The emergence of nanomaterials offers a new approach for overcoming the current limitations in non-biological stress management and achieving high-yield agriculture. Herein, we develop a PEG-modified Fe3O4 nanozyme (FNPs-G) and investigate its effect on the salt tolerance of cucumber seeds and seedlings. The results showed that FNPs-G significantly increased the germination rate by approximately 50% and promoted embryonic root growth (7.2% increase). Under salt stress, the foliar application of FNPs-G enhanced salt tolerance by increasing POD and CAT activities (38% and 17.4%, respectively), elevating proline (54.6%) and soluble sugar (3.13-fold) levels, and reducing H2O2 (24.6%) and MDA (33.8%) accumulation. The results of transcriptional and metabolic analyses indicate that the foliar application of FNPs-G can further mitigate salt stress in cucumber by enhancing phenylalanine metabolism, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and steroid biosynthesis. It also significantly facilitates tyrosine and arginine biosynthesis and upregulates the expression of genes encoding intracellular hydrolases and oxidoreductases, thereby maintaining cellular homeostasis. This study provides a theoretical and mechanistic basis for future investigations into the potential effects of FNPs-G during the fruiting stage and their influence on fruit quality under saline conditions.
Ammonia synthesis with highly catalytic efficiency remains a fundamental challenge due to the kinetically demanding multi-electron/proton transfer. We address this by designing cooperative Cu-substituted sandwich-type polyoxometalate embedded in photoactive MOF (Cu4POM@NU1000) with varied loadings, which synergistically merges efficient light harvesting, multi-electron storage, transition metals and proton transfer in one architecture. Preliminary study reveals that higher Cu4POM loading enhanced the photocatalytic N2 fixation ability. Thus, 1.41-Cu4POM@NU1000 composite was selected for systematic evaluation of photocatalytic performance. Under visible light irradiation in pure water, it exhibited an ammonia generation rate 1.8 times of the NU1000 alone while maintaining stability. In-situ spectroscopic and trapping experiments reveal that the embedded Cu4POM acts as electron sponges and proton-coupled redox mediator, concurrently accelerating water photo-oxidation (providing H+) and promoting the sequential hydrogenation of adsorbed N2. DFT calculations further proved and highlighted the advantage of Cu4POM in driving hydrogenation of adsorbed N2 and the desorption of NH3 while NU1000 facilitates the initial N2 adsorption process. Finally, a seven-day outdoor experiment utilizing natural sunlight and atmospheric nitrogen confirmed this promising strategy toward green ammonia production for agricultural use.
Plastics, renowned for their flexibility, stability, and cost-effectiveness, have become indispensable materials in modern life. However, their extensive use has led to a global environmental and health crisis. Especially, plastic products infiltrate agroecosystems through atmospheric deposition, irrigation water, soil contamination, and the degradation of plastic mulch films, posing significant risks to vegetable quality and safety. Traditional disposal methods, such as incineration and landfilling, are energy-intensive and ecologically harmful, necessitating the development and application of innovative technologies for plastic removal. This paper reviews representative advanced (micro)plastic removal technologies, with a particular focus on frameworks-containing photocatalysis as a promising green method for processing (micro)plastics. First, we analyze and compare traditional, then discuss emerging removal technologies. Next, we elaborate on the principles of photocatalytic degradation of plastic products, discuss key influencing factors, and classify various photocatalysts. Additionally, we highlight the limitations of conventional photocatalysts, such as TiO2 and ZnO, and emphasize the advantages of framework materials (e.g., MOFs, COFs, ZIFs) in photocatalytic degradation, including their structural tunability and development potential. Finally, based on the current progress and applications of framework photocatalysts, we identify existing limitations and propose future research directions. This review provides a theoretical foundation and innovative technological insights to address the global challenge of plastic pollution.
With the constantly escalating demand for safe food packaging, the utilization of biodegradable polysaccharide-based nanocomposite films is being explored as an alternative to traditional petrochemical polymer films (polyvinyl alcohol, polybutylene succinate, etc.). Polysaccharide-based films have excellent mechanical properties, water vapor transmission rates, and other physical characteristics. Films can fulfill numerous demands for fruit packaging in daily life. Additionally, they can be loaded with various types of non-toxic and non-biocidal materials such as bioactive substances and metal nanomaterials. These materials enhance bacterial inhibition and reduce oxidation in fruits while maintaining fundamental packaging functionality. The article discusses the design and preparation strategies of polysaccharide-based nanocomposite films and their application in fruit preservation. The types of films, the addition of materials, and their mechanisms of action are further discussed. In addition, this research is crucial for fruit preservation efforts and for the preparation of polysaccharide-based films in both scientific research and industrial applications.
Introduction Enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) is a widely adopted method for detecting pesticide residues such as imidacloprid because of its speed, low cost, and simplicity. However, antibody adsorption immobilization on solid-phase surfaces often leads to spatial crowding, resulting in reduced accessibility of antigen-binding sites and compromised assay sensitivity. Objective This study aimed to address the limitations of conventional immunoassays by introducing DNA tetrahedron (TDN) as spatial mediators. Spatial mediation of antibodies using TDN allows for sequential targeting and full exposure of the antibody to the recognition site. Methods Firstly, the sequence of TDN was designed using python language. And then, the TDN was labelled on the surface of magnetic beads (MBs) for spatial mediation orientation of antibody to form MB@TDN@Ab immunoprobe, exposing the specific recognition Fab region of the antibody. The sensitization mechanism of immunoassay based on TDN spatial mediation was explored for detecting imidacloprid in vegetables. Results The MB@TDN@Ab immunoprobe acquired a higher affinity constant (Dissociation equilibrium constant (Kd) = 3.21 µg/mL) than MB@Ab immunoprobe (Kd = 19.16 µg/mL). The immunoassay based on TDN spatial mediation achieved an IC50 (1.40 ng/mL) and a linear detection range (0.05 ∼ 50 ng/mL). Compared with the immunoassay based on MB@Ab immunoprobe (IC50 = 2.66 ng/mL and linear range = 0.05 ∼ 5 ng/mL), the sensitivity and linear range immunoassay based on MB@TDN@Ab immunoprobe are much higher and broader. Conclusion A convenient, efficient and sensitive immunoassay was established for detecting imidacloprid in vegetables in the study. The MB@TDN@Ab immunoprobe improves immunoassay performance while supporting safer food monitoring practices. These findings contribute to sustainable agricultural safety, public health assurance, and innovation in biosensing technologies.
Zeolite imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) are ideal candidates for pesticide carriers due to their simple preparation and biocompatibility. However, the reported ZIF carriers generally have low loading capacity with an unclear structure-property relationship. Herein, two novel defective bimetallic ZnM-ZIFs (M = Cu and Ni) based on leafy ZIF-L were prepared as carriers, and the correlation between structural property and loading capacity was studied using gray correlation analysis. The results showed that the second metal created defects in leafy ZnM-ZIFs that increased its mesoporosity and oxygen vacancy, thus improving the pesticide loading rate. Among them, Zn0.6Cu0.4-ZIF (30.96%) and Zn0.4Ni0.6-ZIF (19.03%) showed the highest loading rate for imidacloprid (IMI), which was 2.31 and 1.42 times higher than that of ZIF-L, respectively. After coating the metal-phenolic network (MPN) as a blocker, the final ZnM-ZIF@IMI@MPN showed higher insecticidal activity against Bemisia tabaci (1.47-1.98 times) and longer efficacy duration (1.51-1.65 times) than IMI technical (TC). Besides, the ZnM-ZIF@IMI@MPN exhibited higher photostability (2.33-2.97 times that of the TC), good pH-responsive release, stronger foliar adhesion, and favorable safety. This work gives deep insight into the effect of the second metal on the loading performance of ZnM-ZIF and provides a strategy for developing a defective bimetallic ZIF pesticide system.
Atrazine is a selective systemic herbicide of the chlorotriazine class that is commonly used for controlling annual broadleaf and grassy weeds. However, its residue can harm the environment and human health. We have therefore developed a novel idiotypic-based noncompetitive immunoassay for the detection of atrazine by exploiting the distinctive recognition properties of anti-idiotypic antibodies. This method utilizes atrazine as a "key" to specifically dissociation the "lock" of an anti-idiotypic antibody and detection antibody immunocomplex, thereby enabling both qualitative and quantitative analysis of atrazine. Following all necessary optimizations, this method was capable exhibiting a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.52 ng/mL with R2 = 0.990, and a linear range of 1.76 to 2604.61 ng/mL. This immunoassay offered its potential towards detection of atrazine in water and 10 kinds of vegetable samples with a recovery ranging from 70.76 to 119.28 %. The idiotypic-based noncompetitive immunoassay provides a well suitable method for low-molecular-weight contaminants immunoassay.
At present, it is highly important to develop nanopesticide, which can improve the effect of pesticides and reduce the risks of environmental. Zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) is usually used as a nanocarrier of nanopesticide, which has a porous structure and stimuli-responsive properties. However, the drug loading performance and stability of ZIF are poor. To solve these disadvantages, we successfully prepared bimetallic ZIF nanocarriers by hybridizing and structurally regulating ZIF-L with Co. Here, we propose that Zn and Co bimetallic ZIF (ZnCo-ZIF) was used for efficient loading and controlled release of thiamethoxam (THX). Notably, the specific surface area of ZnCo-ZIF with flower-cluster structure was 8.7338 m2/g, which could provide a large number of active sites for THX loading. Besides, it was found that the maximum THX loading rate of ZnCo-ZIF was 12.7% by optimizing the load experimental conditions, which was 1.4 times higher than that initial. After that, ZnCo-ZIF@THX was modified by the metal-phenol network (MPN), which formed through the chelation of tannic acid (TA) and iron ions. In the PBS release medium, the cumulative release rate of the ZnCo-ZIF@THX@MPN reaches 100% for 24h. In addition, the photostability of ZnCo-ZIF@THX@MPN had been greatly improved, which the photodegradation half-life of it was 4.17 times that of THX technical drug. After MPN encapsulation, the maximum retention and rainwater resistance of the nanopesticide on vegetable leaves were also improved. The bemisia tabaci was used as the model insect, and the mortality of ZnCo-ZIF@THX@MPN against was increased to 88.15%. Finally, the safety experiment shows ZnCo-ZIF@THX@MPN had no inhibitory effect on pakchoi seed germination and had good biosafety. This work provides a new idea for the development that the facile synthesis of bimetallic flower-cluster nanocarriers and load of thiamethoxam.
Effective detection of agricultural pollutants in complex matrices is crucial for food safety. Lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) is a vital onsite tool due to its simplicity, portability, low cost, and rapid detection. However, the efficiency and sensitivity of the conventional single-target detection mode limits its utility for detecting multiple contaminants in complex agricultural matrices. High-throughput and sensitive multiplex lateral flow immunoassay (MLFIA) technologies have become mainstream in agricultural product safety inspection. This review highlights four high-throughput formats of MLFIA—single-line multicolor, multiline, multiplex, and microarray methods—and their suitability for multianalyte detection. Furthermore, a range of high-sensitivity signal transduction methods, colorimetric, fluorescent, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), and magnetic nanoparticle-based systems, have been evaluated for adaptability to complex scenarios. The limitations, challenges and future development trends of MLFIA are proposed, with the goal of providing useful references for researchers to promote the rapid development and practical application of MLFIA in multiple agricultural fields.
In this study, two types of Cu-MOFs (Cu-TCPP and CuO-TCPP) with a two-dimensional layered porous structure were prepared via in situ polymerization using Cu2+, CuO, and TCPP as raw materials. Both Cu-MOFs exhibited peroxidase-like activity, capable of catalyzing the oxidation of TMB by H2O2 to form oxTMB, resulting in an absorption peak at 652 nm and a color change from colorless to blue. Subsequently, the addition of AA can reduce oxTMB back to TMB, causing the color of the system to lighten or become colorless. Based on this principle, a simple and rapid colorimetric method for AA detection was established and successfully applied to the detection of TAC in fruits and vegetables. The results showed that Cu-TCPP and CuO-TCPP had a large linear range of ascorbic acid detection of 0.01–100 mM (Cu-TCPP) and 0.05–100 mM (CuO-TCPP). This study not only provides a novel method for preparing nanozymes with peroxidase-like activity, but also offers a simple approach for analyzing the TAC of food.