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

Sensitive detection of multiple pathogens using a single DNA probe

A simple but promising electrochemical DNA nanosensor was designed, constructed and applied to differentiate a few food-borne pathogens. The DNA probe was initially designed to have a complementary region in Vibrio parahaemolyticus (VP) genome and to make different hybridization patterns with other selected pathogens. The sensor was based on a screen printed carbon electrode (SPCE) modified with polylactide-stabilized gold nanoparticles (PLA-AuNPs) and methylene blue (MB) was employed as the redox indicator binding better to single-stranded DNA. The immobilization and hybridization events were assessed using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The fabricated biosensor was able to specifically distinguish complementary, non-complementary and mismatched oligonucleotides. DNA was measured in the range of 2.0×10(-9)-2.0×10(-13)M with a detection limit of 5.3×10(-12)M. The relative standard deviation for 6 replications of DPV measurement of 0.2µM complementary DNA was 4.88%. The fabricated DNA biosensor was considered stable and portable as indicated by a recovery of more than 80% after a storage period of 6 months at 4-45°C. Cross-reactivity studies against various food-borne pathogens showed a reliably sensitive detection of VP.

SERS encoded nanoparticle heterodimers for the ultrasensitive detection of folic acid

In this paper, gold–silver nanoparticle (AuNP–AgNP) heterodimers were assembled with highly yield as an active SERS substrate, based on antigen–antibody immunoreaction. The developed SERS sensor has successful achieved the ultrasensitive detection of folic acid (FA) with the limit of detection (LOD) as 0.86 pg/mL. And the linear range was from 0.005 ng/mL to 1 ng/mL. The results also demonstrated that this developed method showed high specificity and excellent recovery for the human serum samples, indicating its promising potential in bio-diagnosis and the environmental monitoring.

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.

Fabrication of highly sensitive and selective nanocomposite film based on CuNPs/fullerene-C60/MWCNTs: An electrochemical nanosensor for trace recognition of paracetamol

Designing an electrochemical sensor for versatile clinical applications is a sophisticated task and how dedicatedly functionalized composite materials can perform on this stage is a challenge for today and tomorrow's Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. In the present work, we demonstrate a new strategy for the development of novel electrochemical sensor based on catalytic nanocomposite film. Fullerene-C60 and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were dropped on the pre-treated carbon paste electrode (CPE) and copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) electrochemically deposited on the modified CPE to form nanocomposite film of CuNPs/C60/MWCNTs/CPE. In this work, an electrochemical method based on square wave voltammetry (SWV) employing CuNPs/C60/MWCNTs/CPE has been presented for the recognition and determination of paracetamol (PT). Developed electrochemical sensor was characterized using cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and chronocoulometry. The composite film made the fabricated sensor to display high sensitivity and good selectivity for PT detection. The influence of the optimization parameters such as pH, accumulation time, deposition potential, scan rate and effect of loading of composite mixture of C60-MWCNTs and CuNPs on the electrochemical performance of the sensor were evaluated. A linear range from 4.0 × 10(-9) to 4.0 × 10(-7) M for PT detection was obtained with a detection limit of 7.3 × 10(-11) M. The fabricated sensor was successfully applied to the detection of PT in biological samples with good recovery ranging from 99.21 to 103%.

Signal-on electrochemical detection of antibiotics at zeptomole level based on target-aptamer binding triggered multiple recycling amplification

In the work, a signal-on electrochemical DNA sensor based on multiple amplification for ultrasensitive detection of antibiotics has been reported. In the presence of target, the ingeniously designed hairpin probe (HP1) is opened and the polymerase-assisted target recycling amplification is triggered, resulting in autonomous generation of secondary target. It is worth noting that the produced secondary target could not only hybridize with other HP1, but also displace the Helper from the electrode. Consequently, methylene blue labeled HP2 forms a "close" probe structure, and the increase of signal is monitored. The increasing current provides an ultrasensitive electrochemical detection for antibiotics down to 1.3 fM. To our best knowledge, such work is the first report about multiple recycling amplification combing with signal-on sensing strategy, which has been utilized for quantitative determination of antibiotics. It would be further used as a general strategy associated with more analytical techniques toward the detection of a wide spectrum of analytes. Thus, it holds great potential for the development of ultrasensitive biosensing platform for the applications in bioanalysis, disease diagnostics, and clinical biomedicine.

Silsesquioxane-cored star amphiphilic polymer as an efficient dispersant for multi-walled carbon nanotubes

One octopus-shaped amphiphilic polymer was used to functionalize MWNTs for the first time.

Polysilicon nanogap lab-on-chip facilitates multiplex analyses with single analyte

Rationally designed biosensing system supports multiplex analyses is warranted for medical diagnosis to determine the level of analyte interaction. The chemically functionalized novel multi-electrode polysilicon nanogap (PSNG) lab-on-chip is designed in this study, facilitates multiplex analyses for a single analyte. On the fabricated 69nm PSNG, biocompatibility and structural characteristics were verified for the efficient binding of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG). With the assistance of microfluidics, hCG sample was delivered via single-injection to 3-Aminopropyl(triethoxy)silane (APTES) and Glycidoxypropyl(trimethoxy)silane (GPMS) modified PSNG electrodes and the transduced signal was used to investigate the dielectric mechanisms for multiplex analyses. The results from amperometric response and impedance measurement delivered the scale of interaction between anti-hCG antibody and hCG that exhibited 6.5 times higher sensitivity for the chemical linker, APTES than GPMS. Under optimized experimental conditions, APTES and GPMS modified immunosensor has a limit of detection as 0.56mIU/ml and 2.93mIU/ml (at S/N=3), with dissociation constants (Kd) of 5.65±2.5mIU/ml and 7.28±2.6mIU/ml, respectively. These results suggest that multiplex analysis of single target could enhance the accuracy of detection and reliable for real-time comparative analyses. The designed PSNG is simple, feasible, requires low sample consumption and could be applied for any given multiplex analyses.

Biomedical Probes Based on Inorganic Nanoparticles for Electrochemical and Optical Spectroscopy Applications

Inorganic nanoparticles usually provide novel and unique physical properties as their size approaches nanometer scale dimensions. The unique physical and optical properties of nanoparticles may lead to applications in a variety of areas, including biomedical detection. Therefore, current research is now increasingly focused on the use of the high surface-to-volume ratios of nanoparticles to fabricate superb chemical- or biosensors for various detection applications. This article highlights various kinds of inorganic nanoparticles, including metal nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, nanocomposites, and semiconductor nanoparticles that can be perceived as useful materials for biomedical probes and points to the outstanding results arising from their use in such probes. The progress in the use of inorganic nanoparticle-based electrochemical, colorimetric and spectrophotometric detection in recent applications, especially bioanalysis, and the main functions of inorganic nanoparticles in detection are reviewed. The article begins with a conceptual discussion of nanoparticles according to types, followed by numerous applications to analytes including biomolecules, disease markers, and pharmaceutical substances. Most of the references cited herein, dating from 2010 to 2015, generally mention one or more of the following characteristics: a low detection limit, good signal amplification and simultaneous detection capabilities.

Molybdenum disulphide and graphene quantum dots as electrode modifiers for laccase biosensor

A nanocomposite formed from molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) and graphene quantum dots (GQDs) was proposed as a novel and suitable support for enzyme immobilisation displaying interesting electrochemical properties. The conductivity of the carbon based screen-printed electrodes was highly improved after modification with MoS2 nanoflakes and GQDs, the nanocomposite also providing compatible matrix for laccase immobilisation. The influence of different modification steps on the final electroanalytical performances of the modified electrode were evaluated by UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X ray diffraction, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The developed laccase biosensor has responded efficiently to caffeic acid over a concentration range of 0.38-100µM, had a detection limit of 0.32µM and a sensitivity of 17.92nAµM(-1). The proposed analytical tool was successfully applied for the determination of total polyphenolic content from red wine samples.

Silver nanoparticles enhanced a novel TCPO-H₂O₂-safranin O chemiluminescence system for determination of 6-mercaptopurine

The present study deals with first attempt to introduce safranin O as the fluorophore for peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence system. The reaction of bis-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl) oxalate (TCPO) with H2O2 catalyzed by silver nanoparticles can transfer energy to safranin O via the formation of dioxetanedione intermediate and emits orange-red light. The relationship between CL intensity and the concentration of TCPO, fluorophore, hydrogen peroxide and nanocatalyst was investigated. The Ag nanoparticles were synthesized by chemical reduction method and characterized using scanning electron microscopy, particle size analyzer and UV-spectroscopy. Moreover, the system was applied successfully to detect a drug, 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) in pharmaceuticals. Under optimum conditions, a linear working range for 6-MP concentrations from 5.5 × 10(-7) to 5.5 × 10(-5)mol L(-1) (r>0.9831, n=6) was obtained with a detection limit of 1.6 × 10(-7)mol L(-1). The relative standard deviation for 6 repetitive determinations was less than 3.8% and recoveries of 98% and 103% were obtained.