Portable sensor devices based on multifunctional framework materials: Recent advances for food safety assurance by on-site detection

: Food contamination has emerged as a critical issue in the realm of global public health. Although traditional detection techniques provide high sensitivity for identifying contaminants in food, their complexity, time-consuming, and reliance on specialized personnel restrict the practical application. Consequently, there is an urgent need to develop rapid, smart, and portable on-site detection techniques to safeguard food safety. Framework material-mediated sensing platforms have gained significant prominence in the analysis of food contaminants. By integrating them with portable devices, on-site detection of food safety becomes possible. In this review, we for the first time thoroughly summarized the recent advances in framework materials sensor platforms integrating with portable analytical devices for the on-site detection of food contaminants. To start with, the common functions of structurally diverse framework materials in sensors were introduced and discussed. Subsequently, attention was focused on the research progress on integrating multifunctional framework materials with portable sensing devices (e.g., test strips, hydrogels, non-invasive smart labels, and microfluidic chips) for point-of-care testing (POCT) detection. Ultimately, the applications of portable sensing devices based on framework materials in monitoring various food contaminants were summarized in detail, pointing to the direction for on-site POCT detection in food safety. More importantly, the challenges and opportunities of framework materials in food safety monitoring were also considered. Emerging analysis technology based on framework materials provides a highly sensitive, cost-effective, and fast detection platform for food contaminants. Notably, the integration of portable devices with framework materials can address the demand for on-site detection of food safety. We anticipate that the ongoing design and optimization of tunable framework materials will create expanded opportunities for POCT portable detection in food safety. • Multifunctionality of framework materials in sensors was systematically presented. • On-site portable detection devices based on framework materials were discussed. • Applications of portable devices for food safety on-site detection were outlined. • Portable sensors based on framework materials will be smarter and more digital.