Synthesis and application of FePt/CNTs nanocomposite as a sensor and novel amide ligand as a mediator for simultaneous determination of glutathione, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and tryptophan

A Fast Strategy for Determination of Vitamin B₉ in Food and Pharmaceutical Samples Using an Ionic Liquid-Modified Nanostructure Voltammetric Sensor

Vitamin B₉ or folic acid is an important food supplement with wide clinical applications. Due to its importance and its side effects in pregnant women, fast determination of this vitamin is very important. In this study we present a new fast and sensitive voltammetric sensor for the analysis of trace levels of vitamin B₉ using a carbon paste electrode (CPE) modified with 1,3-dipropylimidazolium bromide (1,3-DIBr) as a binder and ZnO/CNTs nanocomposite as a mediator. The electro-oxidation signal of vitamin B₉ at the surface of the 1,3-DIBr/ZnO/CNTs/CPE electrode appeared at 800 mV, which was about 95 mV less positive compared to the corresponding unmodified CPE. The oxidation current of vitamin B₉ by square wave voltammetry (SWV) increased linearly with its concentration in the range of 0.08-650 μM. The detection limit for vitamin B₉ was 0.05 μM. Finally, the utility of the new 1,3-DIBr/ZnO/CNTs/CPE electrode was tested in the determination of vitamin B₉ in food and pharmaceutical samples.

Polyaniline-graphene based α-amylase biosensor with a linear dynamic range in excess of 6 orders of magnitude

α-amylase is an established marker for diagnosis of pancreatic and salivary disease, and recent research has seen a substantial expansion of its use in therapeutic and diagnostic applications for infection, cancer and wound healing. The lack of bedside monitoring devices for α-amylase detection has hitherto restricted the clinical progress of such applications. We have developed a highly sensitive α-amylase immunosensor platform, produced via in situ electropolymerization of aniline onto a screen-printed graphene support (SPE). Covalently binding an α-amylase specific antibody to a polyaniline (PANI) layer and controlling device assembly using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), we have achieved a highly linear response against α-amylase concentration. Each stage of the assembly was characterized using a suite of high-resolution topographical, chemical and mechanical techniques. Quantitative, highly sensitive detection was demonstrated using an artificially spiked human blood plasma samples. The device has a remarkably wide limit of quantification (0.025-1000IU/L) compared to α-amylase assays in current clinical use. With potential for simple scale up to volume manufacturing though standard semiconductor production techniques and subsequently clinical application, this biosensor will enable clinical benefit through early disease detection, and better informed administration of correct therapeutic dose of drugs used to treat α-amylase related diseases.

Carbon nanotubes buckypaper radiation studies for medical physics applications

Graphite ion chambers and semiconductor diode detectors have been used to make measurements in phantoms but these active devices represent a clear disadvantage when considered for in vivo dosimetry. In such circumstance, dosimeters with atomic number similar to human tissue are needed. Carbon nanotubes have properties that potentially meet the demand, requiring low voltage in active devices and an atomic number similar to adipose tissue. In this study, single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) buckypaper has been used to measure the beta particle dose deposited from a strontium-90 source, the medium displaying thermoluminescence at potentially useful sensitivity. As an example, the samples show a clear response for a dose of 2Gy. This finding suggests that carbon nanotubes can be used as a passive dosimeter specifically for the high levels of radiation exposures used in radiation therapy. Furthermore, the finding points towards further potential applications such as for space radiation measurements, not least because the medium satisfies a demand for light but strong materials of minimal capacitance.

Conducting polymer and its composite materials based electrochemical sensor for Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NADH)

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NADH) is an important coenzyme in the human body that participates in many metabolic reactions. The impact of abnormal concentrations of NADH significantly causes different diseases in human body. Electrochemical detection of NADH using bare electrode is a challenging task especially in the presence of main electroactive interferences such as ascorbic acid (AA), uric acid (UA) and dopamine (DA). Modified electrodes have been widely explored to overcome the problems of poor sensitivity and selectivity occurred from bare electrodes. This review gives an overview on the progress of using conducting polymers, polyelectrolyte and its composites (co-polymer, carbonaceous, metal, metal oxide and clay) based modified electrodes for the sensing of NADH. In addition, developments on the fabrication of numerous conducting polymer composites based modified electrodes are clearly described.

Nickel oxide nanoparticles/ionic liquid crystal modified carbon composite electrode for determination of neurotransmitters and paracetamol

Ionic liquid crystals mimic the natural bio-based ionic liquid crystals such as cell membrane structures in their interactions with drugs.

A novel strategy to analyze L-tryptophan through allosteric Trp repressor based on rolling circle amplification

Rolling circle amplification (RCA) has been considered as a powerful tool for nucleic acids detection. Here, a novel repressor-RCA-based method for L-tryptophan (L-Trp) detection was developed. This method utilizes the specific interaction between the RCA circular template and the Trp repressor protein (TrpR) involved in trp operon of Escherichia coli (E. coli). In the absence of L-Trp, the TrpR protein could not bind to the RCA template, and the RCA process can be continued. When L-Trp is present, the activated TrpR will bind to the operon sequence on the RCA template and inhibit the RCA reaction. Thus, the concentration of L-Trp is correlated directly with the fluorescent RCA signals. We succeeded in detecting L-Trp in a single step in simple homogeneous reaction system. The detection limit was estimated to be 0.77 μM (S/N=3) with good linearity. The method can unambiguously distinguish L-Trp from other 19 standard amino acids and L-Trp analogs. This strategy is also promising for detecting many small molecules such as other amino acids and carbohydrates.

Synthesis of structural and optical characterization of surfactant capped ZnO nanocrystalline

The presence of surfactant (CTAB) at three different concentrations viz., (0.5, 1 and 1.5 M) on zinc oxide (ZnO) nanocrystalline at 550°C was synthesized. The optical properties of each surfactant capped zinc oxide nanocrystalline were investigated using UV-Visible absorption. The characterization of these nanocrystalline was performed by X-ray diffractometer Spectrum (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Fourier transformer infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The effect of CTAB on the morphology of the ZnO was studied by SEM/EDS which revealed that the diameter of the product is in the range of 42-70 nm. Out of the three surfactant concentrations CTAB (0.5 M) capped zinc oxide nanoparticle has smallest crystalline size of 19.4 nm. Thus, the presence of surfactant on the surface of zinc oxide plays a significant role in reducing defect. The excitonic UV emission has been observed at 275 nm.

An electrochemical immunosensing method for detecting melanoma cells

An electrochemical immunosensing method was developed to detect melanoma cells based on the affinity between cell surface melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) antigen and anti-MC1R antibody (MC1R-Ab). The MC1R-Abs were immobilized in amino-functionalized silica nanoparticles (n-SiNPs)-polypyrrole (PPy) nanocomposite modified on working electrode surface of screen-printed electrode (SPE). Cyclic voltammetry was employed, with the help of redox mediator ([Fe(CN)6](3-)), to measure the change in anodic oxidation peak current arising due to the specific interaction between MC1R antigens and MC1R-Abs when the target melanoma cells are present in the sample. Various factors affecting the sensor performance, such as the amount of MC1R-Abs loaded, incubation time with the target melanoma cells, the presence of interfering non-melanoma cells, were tested and optimized over different expected melanoma cell loads in the range of 50-7500 cells/2.5 mL. The immunosensor is highly sensitive (20 cells/mL), specific, and reproducible, and the antibody-loaded electrode in ready-to-use stage is stable over two weeks. Thus, in conjunction with a microfluidic lab-on-a-chip device our electrochemical immunosensing approach may be suitable for highly sensitive, selective, and rapid detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in blood samples.

Rapid and fast strategy for the determination of glutathione in the presence of vitamin B6in biological and pharmaceutical samples using a nanostructure based electrochemical sensor

In this study, we describe the simultaneous determination of glutathione and vitamin B₆in pharmaceutical and biological samples for the first time.

A novel gold nanoparticle decorated nanocrystalline zeolite based electrochemical sensor for the nanomolar simultaneous detection of cysteine and glutathione

High electrocatalytic activity of the sensor can be attributed to the highly dispersed gold nanoparticles on the nanocrystalline zeolite matrix.

Multifunctional MWCNTs–NaGdF4:Yb3+,Er3+,Eu3+ hybrid nanocomposites with potential dual-mode luminescence, magnetism and photothermal properties

Novel multifunctional MWCNTs–NaGdF₄:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺,Eu³⁺ hybrid nanocomposites can simultaneously take advantage of up- and down-conversion luminescence, magnetism and photothermal properties.

Au nanoparticle/graphene nanocomposite as a platform for the sensitive detection of NADH in human urine

Here we report on a facile, rapid, sensitive, selective and highly stable electrochemical sensing platform for β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) based on uncapped Au nanoparticle/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanocomposites without the aid of any redox mediators and enzymes. The Au nanoparticle/rGO composite sensing platform was directly formed on a glassy carbon electrode through an in situ electrochemical reduction of GO and Au(3+) with a 100% usage of the precursors. The as-prepared Au nanoparticle/rGO composites demonstrated excellent direct electrocatalytic oxidation toward NADH, providing a large electrochemical active surface area as well as a favorable environment for electron transfer from NADH to the electrode via the enhanced mobility of charge carriers. The Au nanoparticle/rGO composites offered a ~2.3 times higher electrocatalytic current density with a negative shift of 112mV, in comparison to Au nanoparticles. The sensor developed in this study displayed a high sensitivity of 0.916µA/µMcm(2) and a wide linear range of from 50nM to 500µM with a limit of detection of 1.13nM (S/N=3). The interferences from the common interferents such as glutathione, glucose, ascorbic acid and quanine were negligible. The prepared sensor was further tested for the determination of NADH in human urine samples, showing the Au nanoparticle/rGO nanocomposites simultaneously formed by one-step electrochemical reduction have promising biomedical applications.

A high sensitive electrochemical nanosensor for simultaneous determination of glutathione, NADH and folic acid

In the present study, we report electrosynthesis of 4,5-bis(4-chloroanilino)-1,2-benzendiol (BCB) and its application as a selective electrochemical mediator at a surface of carbon paste electrode (CPE) modified ZnO/CNTs nanocomposite as a simple and rapid voltammetric sensor. The sensor showed an efficient catalytic activity for the electro-oxidation of glutathione (GSH), which leads to a lowered overpotential by more than 203 mV compared to unmodified carbon paste electrode. For the mixture containing GSH, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and folic acid (FA), the electrooxidation signals were well separated. The square wave voltammetry (SWV) currents increased linearly with their concentration at the ranges of 0.006-161, 1.0-650 and 3.0-700 μM, respectively with the detection limits of 0.002, 0.3 and 1.0 μM. Finally, the electrode was successfully applied for the voltammetric determination of analytes in real samples with satisfactory results.

Application of CdO nanoparticle ionic liquid modified carbon paste electrode as a high sensitive biosensor for square wave voltammetric determination of NADH

In this paper we report the synthesis and application of CdO nanoparticle (CdO/NPs) and 1,3-dipropylimidazolium bromide as high sensitive sensors for voltammetric determination of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) using carbon paste electrode. The cyclic voltammogram showed an irreversible oxidation peak at 0.68 V (vs. Ag/AgClsat), which corresponded to the oxidation of NADH. Compared to common carbon paste electrode, the electrochemical response was greatly improved for NADH electrooxidation at a surface of CdO/NP modified ionic liquid carbon paste electrode (IL/CdO/NP/CPE). The linear response range and detection limit were found to be 0.09-750 μmol L(-1) and 0.05 μmol L(-1), respectively. Result shows that other physiological species did not interfere in the determination of NADH at the surface of the proposed sensor in the optimum condition. The proposed sensor was successfully applied for the determination of NADH in tap water, urine and pharmaceutical serum samples.

An electrochemical nanocomposite modified carbon paste electrode as a sensor for simultaneous determination of hydrazine and phenol in water and wastewater samples

In this study, we report preparation of a high sensitive electrochemical sensor for determination of hydrazine in the presence of phenol in water and wastewater samples. In the first step, we describe synthesis and characterization of ZnO/CNTs nanocomposite with different methods such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). In the second step, application of the synthesis nanocomposite describes the preparation of carbon paste electrode modified with N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,5-dinitrobenzamide as a high sensitive and selective voltammetric sensor for determination of hydrazine and phenol in water and wastewater samples. The mediated oxidation of hydrazine at the modified electrode was investigated by cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Also, the values of catalytic rate constant (k) and diffusion coefficient (D) for hydrazine were calculated. Square wave voltammetry (SWV) of hydrazine at the modified electrode exhibited two linear dynamic ranges with a detection limit (3σ) of 8.0 nmol L(-1). SWV was used for simultaneous determination of hydrazine and phenol at the modified electrode and quantitation of hydrazine and phenol in some real samples by the standard addition method.

Electropolymerization of taurine on gold surface and its sensory application for determination of captopril in undiluted human serum

Polytaurine film was electrodeposited on gold (Au) electrode through cyclic voltammetry from taurine and phosphate buffer solution. The electrocatalytic effect of polytaurine modified Au (PT/Au) electrode was investigated for electro-oxidation of captopril (CAP). Electrocatalytical activity of PT/Au electrode was studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronoamperometry and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). DPV was used to evaluate the analytical performance of CAP in the presence of phosphate buffer solution and good limit of detection was obtained by this sensor. The experimental conditions influencing the determination of CAP were optimized and under optimal conditions, the oxidation peak current was proportional to CAP concentration in the range of 0.06-0.2 μM, while the detection limit was 0.03 μM (S/N=3). The results revealed that PT promotes the rate of oxidation by increasing the peak current. Finally, the applicability of the method to direct assay of human serum is described. The proposed sensor was successfully applied to determine cadaverine in fish samples, yielding satisfactory results. The spiked recoveries were in the range of 96.0-105.0%.

A voltammetric sensor based on NiO/CNTs ionic liquid carbon paste electrode for determination of morphine in the presence of diclofenac

A novel ionic liquid modified NiO/CNTs carbon paste electrode (IL/NiO/CNTCPE) had been fabricated by using hydrophilic ionic liquid 1-methyl-3-butylimidazolium chloride [MBIDZ]Cl as a binder. The cyclic voltammogram showed an irreversible oxidation peak at 0.61 V (vs. Ag/AgCl(sat)), which corresponded to the oxidation of morphine. Compared to common carbon paste electrode, the electrochemical response was greatly improved for morphine electrooxidation. This modified electrode exhibited a potent and persistent electron mediating behavior followed by well separated oxidation peaks of morphine and diclofenac. Detection limit of morphine was found to be 0.01 μM using square wave voltammetry (SWV) method. The proposed sensor was successfully applied for the determination of morphine in human urine and pharmaceutical samples.

A novel modified carbon paste electrode based on NiO/CNTs nanocomposite and (9, 10-dihydro-9, 10-ethanoanthracene-11, 12-dicarboximido)-4-ethylbenzene-1, 2-diol as a mediator for simultaneous determination of cysteamine, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and folic acid

A carbon paste electrode (CPE) modified with (9, 10-dihydro-9, 10-ethanoanthracene-11, 12-dicarboximido)-4-ethylbenzene-1, 2-diol (DEDE) and NiO/CNTs nanocomposite was used for the sensitive voltammetric determination of cysteamine (CA), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and folic acid (FA) for the first time. The synthesized materials were characterized with different methods such as XRD, cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and square wave voltammetry (SWV). The modified electrode exhibited a potent and persistent electron mediating behavior followed by well-separated oxidation peaks of CA, NADH and FA. The peak currents were linearly dependent on CA, NADH and FA concentrations using square wave voltammetry (SWV) method in the ranges of 0.01-250, 1.0-500, and 3.0-550 µmol L⁻¹, with detection limits of 0.007, 0.6, and 0.9 µmol L⁻¹, respectively. The modified electrode was used for the determination of CA, NADH and FA in biological and pharmaceutical samples.

Photocatalytic Decomposition of Methyl Red Dye by Using Nanosized Zinc Oxide Deposited on Glass Beads in Various pH and Various Atmosphere

Photocatalytic decomposition of methyl red (MR) as a pollutant in wastewater samples is investigated in this study. This photodegradation was investigated in water in neutral, alkaline, and acidic media under external UV light irradiation by zinc oxide nanosized catalysts on granule glass. The effect of four atmosphere types including air, nitrogen, oxygen, and argon was investigated. Finally, it was found that photodecomposition using nanosized ZnO layered on glass is a new alternative route for efficient wastewater treatment. The results showed that the titled dye is degraded by various rate under different atmosphere and pH.