Micro- and Nanoengineered Devices for Rapid Chemotaxonomic Profiling of Medicinal Plants

Chemotaxonomic profiling based on secondary metabolites offers a reliable approach for identifying and authenticating medicinal plants, addressing limitations associated with traditional morphological and genetic methods. Recent advances in microfluidics and nanoengineered technologies—including lab...

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Main Authors: Sajid Ali, Adnan Amin, Muhammad Saeed Akhtar, Wajid Zaman
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Nanomaterials
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/12/899
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author Sajid Ali
Adnan Amin
Muhammad Saeed Akhtar
Wajid Zaman
author_facet Sajid Ali
Adnan Amin
Muhammad Saeed Akhtar
Wajid Zaman
author_sort Sajid Ali
collection DOAJ
description Chemotaxonomic profiling based on secondary metabolites offers a reliable approach for identifying and authenticating medicinal plants, addressing limitations associated with traditional morphological and genetic methods. Recent advances in microfluidics and nanoengineered technologies—including lab-on-a-chip systems as well as nano-enabled optical and electrochemical sensors—enable the rapid, accurate, and portable detection of key metabolites, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolics. Integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques further enhances the analytical capabilities of these technologies, enabling automated, precise plant identification in field-based applications. Therefore, this review aims to highlight the potential applications of micro- and nanoengineered devices in herbal medicine markets, medicinal plant authentication, and biodiversity conservation. We discuss strategies to address current challenges, such as biocompatibility and material toxicity, technical limitations in device miniaturization, and regulatory and standardization requirements. Furthermore, we outline future trends and innovations necessary to fully realize the transformative potential of these technologies in real-world chemotaxonomic applications.
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series Nanomaterials
spelling doaj-art-22a7e46a8fc4407fb2480e100735b3e62025-08-20T03:16:35ZengMDPI AGNanomaterials2079-49912025-06-01151289910.3390/nano15120899Micro- and Nanoengineered Devices for Rapid Chemotaxonomic Profiling of Medicinal PlantsSajid Ali0Adnan Amin1Muhammad Saeed Akhtar2Wajid Zaman3Department of Horticulture and Life Science, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Life Sciences, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Chemistry, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Life Sciences, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of KoreaChemotaxonomic profiling based on secondary metabolites offers a reliable approach for identifying and authenticating medicinal plants, addressing limitations associated with traditional morphological and genetic methods. Recent advances in microfluidics and nanoengineered technologies—including lab-on-a-chip systems as well as nano-enabled optical and electrochemical sensors—enable the rapid, accurate, and portable detection of key metabolites, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolics. Integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques further enhances the analytical capabilities of these technologies, enabling automated, precise plant identification in field-based applications. Therefore, this review aims to highlight the potential applications of micro- and nanoengineered devices in herbal medicine markets, medicinal plant authentication, and biodiversity conservation. We discuss strategies to address current challenges, such as biocompatibility and material toxicity, technical limitations in device miniaturization, and regulatory and standardization requirements. Furthermore, we outline future trends and innovations necessary to fully realize the transformative potential of these technologies in real-world chemotaxonomic applications.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/12/899chemotaxonomymedicinal plantsmicrofluidicsnanoengineered sensorslab-on-a-chipsurface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy
spellingShingle Sajid Ali
Adnan Amin
Muhammad Saeed Akhtar
Wajid Zaman
Micro- and Nanoengineered Devices for Rapid Chemotaxonomic Profiling of Medicinal Plants
Nanomaterials
chemotaxonomy
medicinal plants
microfluidics
nanoengineered sensors
lab-on-a-chip
surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy
title Micro- and Nanoengineered Devices for Rapid Chemotaxonomic Profiling of Medicinal Plants
title_full Micro- and Nanoengineered Devices for Rapid Chemotaxonomic Profiling of Medicinal Plants
title_fullStr Micro- and Nanoengineered Devices for Rapid Chemotaxonomic Profiling of Medicinal Plants
title_full_unstemmed Micro- and Nanoengineered Devices for Rapid Chemotaxonomic Profiling of Medicinal Plants
title_short Micro- and Nanoengineered Devices for Rapid Chemotaxonomic Profiling of Medicinal Plants
title_sort micro and nanoengineered devices for rapid chemotaxonomic profiling of medicinal plants
topic chemotaxonomy
medicinal plants
microfluidics
nanoengineered sensors
lab-on-a-chip
surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/12/899
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