Detection and quantification of lactoferrin: Innovations, applications, and challenges

• Published in: Food chemistry 2025-02, Vol.466, p.142204, Article 142204
• Main Authors: Abedi-Firoozjah, Reza, Behnam, Behnam, Balouch Zehi, Zakiyeh, Tavassoli, Milad, Sadeghi, Ehsan, Assadpour, Elham, Zhang, Fuyuan, Jafari, Seid Mahdi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; antioxidants; antiparasitic agents; Biosensing Techniques - instrumentation; Biosensing Techniques - methods; Biosensors; Electrochemical; enzyme activity; family; Food; food chemistry; food production; glycoproteins; growth retardation; hazard characterization; Humans; Lactoferrin; Lactoferrin - analysis; nanomaterials; neoplasms; Optical; product safety; transferrin
• ISSN: 0308-8146; 1873-7072; 1873-7072
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.142204

Lactoferrin (LF), is an 80 kDa glycoprotein with diverse bio-functions in the human body. It is involved in host defense, tumor growth inhibition, anti-inflammatory and enzymatic activity, and demonstrates antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, and antiparasitic properties. As part of the transferrin family, LF is recognized as an iron-binding glycoprotein. Reliable analytical methods are crucial for ensuring consumer safety and enhancing food production through hazard analysis and good manufacturing practices. This review details recent advancements in analytical methods, offering an in-depth look at their primary applications for LF detection. The article underscores the advantages and disadvantages of common analytical techniques, such as conventional and modern methods. Additionally, it explores developments in biosensors related to detection mechanisms, including the use of nanomaterials as signal probes and carriers for loading signal probes; also addressing sensitivity and performance evaluation. Finally, it considers the challenges and potential opportunities in the advancement of biosensors for LF detection. [Display omitted] •Lactoferrin (LF), an allergenic protein, can be identified using nano/biosensor systems.•Optical and electrochemical methods can be excellent choices for detecting LF.•The detection of LF is greatly enhanced by utilizing nanomaterials and biological receptors.•The identification systems were evaluated to determine the best performance.•The discussion covered challenges and future outlook of biosensors for detecting LF.