Recent advances in biosensing technologies for detecting hormones

Hormones are signaling molecules in multicellular organisms, transported to distal organs to regulate various physiological and behavioral functions. Hormones can be lipid, amide, or peptide derived. Notable functions of hormones include metabolism, development, growth, and reproduction. Hormones also facilitate the response to various environmental cues, injury, and stress factors. Natural or synthetic hormones are in ample use in the agricultural industry, although they may potentiate significant health hazards. Thus rapid and accurate detection of hormones is of great importance. However, traditional chromatographic techniques are lengthy, expensive, often inaccurate, and difficult to execute. Biosensors are simple devices comprised of biorecognition element, transducer, and output system. The applications of biosensors to detect hormones are gaining importance since they are rapid, convenient, inexpensive, and come with high selectivity and sensitivity. Thus choosing biosensors over traditional chromatographic techniques in detecting hormones has several advantages. Recent advances of biosensors in detecting hormones incorporate various technological interventions, notably development of electrochemical, optical, or microbial screening. The key utility of biosensors involves their point-of-care monitoring, improving treatment facilities. However, their practical applications are still inadequate and require long-term sustainability. This chapter summarizes the recent developments of these technological advances as well as their analytical properties in detecting hormones.