Biochemistry & Analytical Biochemistry

Redefining Biochemical Measurement and Green Innovations for Sustainable Analytical Practice

Karim Al Mansour^* Department of Eco Analytical Biochemistry, Nile Valley University, Cairo, Egypt
^*Correspondence: Karim Al Mansour, Department of Eco Analytical Biochemistry, Nile Valley University, Cairo, Egypt, Email:

Received: 27-Aug-2025, Manuscript No. BABCR-25-30076; Editor assigned: 29-Aug-2025, Pre QC No. BABCR-25-30076 (PQ); Reviewed: 12-Sep-2025, QC No. BABCR-25-30076; Revised: 19-Sep-2025, Manuscript No. BABCR-25-30076 (R); Published: 26-Sep-2025, DOI: 10.35248/2161-1009.25.14.588

Description

Advances in analytical biochemistry are no longer limited to what can be measured but increasingly concerned with how measurement happens. Laboratory protocols that once consumed large volumes of hazardous solvents and required energy intensive sample treatments are being replaced by methods that minimize ecological impact and reduce human health risks. In emerging practice, green analytical biochemistry defines itself by use of benign reagents, minimized waste, and designs that lighten resource loads while preserving or improving detection power.

Recently attention has focused on solvent systems. Conventional organic solvents, volatile and often toxic, are being substituted with alternatives such as water or mixtures that use biosourced components. Ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents, when well chosen, permit selective extraction or separation of analytes while reducing volatility and hazardous exposure. For example, extraction of pesticide residues from soil or water using ionic liquids has shown comparable recoveries to traditional solvents but with lower environmental release of harmful vapors. Sample preparation has also moved toward solid phase microextraction or liquid phase microextraction instead of bulk solvent extractions; these formats require far less reagent, reduce waste, and often offer simpler workflows.

Separation and detection instrumentation has also adopted greener practice. Chromatographic techniques have been adapted to use supercritical carbon dioxide as mobile phase in place of organic solvent mixtures. Such substitution reduces both chemical waste and energy demands since supercritical fluid systems may operate at lower pressures or temperatures, depending on design. Sample throughput has increased while analysis time shrinks, and resolution remains high through optimized column substrates and advanced control of flow and pressure. Miniaturized systems, micro LC or capillary formats, deliver separation with less sample and less reagent.

Another vector has been energy input. Microwave assisted digestion or extraction and ultrasound assisted processes provide rapid heating or mass transfer with lower total energy use than conventional heating or long extractions. Photo induced reactions using visible or near visible light for dervitization or detection reduce reliance on ultraviolet or harsh chemical reagents. These energy saving methods often allow faster turnaround for analysis.

Automation and data processing support greener protocols. Methods that reduce human intervention tend to avoid repeated sample handling and transfer losses. Automated extraction stations, online sampling, or flow systems allow continuous monitoring and reduce downtime. Chemometric techniques, able to analyze overlapped signals or correct for interference, allow dilution or simpler sample cleanup without sacrificing analytical accuracy. These strategies reduce waste of reagents and decrease time required per sample.

Electrodes, sorbents, and stationary phases increasingly use biodegradable or recycled materials. Natural polymers such as cellulose, chitosan, or biomasses are being processed into sorbents for capture of metal ions or small organics. Nanomaterial supports derived from biomass or agricultural byproducts further reduce reliance on mining or petroleum derived components. The end of life disposal of consumables is being considered at design stage, with some devices engineered so that parts can be reused or safely degraded.

Green analytical biochemistry has found strong use in environmental monitoring, food safety, and pharmaceutical analysis. For instance, measurement of trace contaminants in drinking water, detection of antibiotic residues in milk, or verification of active ingredients in herbal medicines have benefitted from greener extraction detection workflows. Such applications require both sensitivity and reliability; recent reports demonstrate that green solvents combined with gas or liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry or spectroscopy reach detection limits comparable to older, solvent heavy methods.

Some green solvents may interfere with detectors or degrade column performance; methods must be validated for each new matrix. Scale up of greener sample prep techniques may reveal issues of supply, cost, or long term stability. Equipment designed for small volume or low reagent use may need redesign or more frequent maintenance when used in harsher sample types (e.g. high particulate loads). However, continual refinement of protocols, material science, and instrumentation design suggests that greener measurement in biochemistry is not only viable but increasingly widespread.