A Novel DNA Biosensor Based on a Pencil Graphite Electrode Modified with Polypyrrole/Functionalized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes for Determination of 6-Mercaptopurine Anticancer Drug

Construction and comparison of BSA-stabilized functionalized GQD composite fluorescent probes for selective trypsin detection

BSA-stabilized amino-functionalized GQDs are the best sensors for trypsin with a low limit of detection.

Development of an Fe3O4@Cu silicate based sensing platform for the electrochemical sensing of dopamine

Abnormal levels of dopamine (DA) in body fluids is an indication of serious health issues, hence development of highly sensitive platforms for the precise detection of DA is highly essential. Herein, we demonstrate an Fe₃O₄@Cu silicate based electrochemical sensing platform for the detection of DA. Morphology and BET analysis shows the formation of ∼320 nm sized sea urchin-like Fe₃O₄@Cu silicate core–shell nanostructures with a 174.5 m² g⁻¹ surface area. Compared to Fe₃O₄ and Fe₃O₄@SiO₂, the Fe₃O₄@Cu silicate urchins delivered enhanced performance towards the electrochemical sensing of DA in neutral pH. The Fe₃O₄@Cu silicate sensor has a 1.37 μA μM⁻¹ cm⁻² sensitivity, 100–700 μM linear range and 3.2 μM limit of detection (LOD). In addition, the proposed Fe₃O₄@Cu silicate DA sensor also has good stability, selectivity, reproducibility and repeatability. The presence of Cu in Fe₃O₄@Cu silicate and the negatively charged surface of the Cu silicate shell play a vital role in achieving high selectivity and sensitivity during DA sensing. The current investigation not only represents the development of a highly selective DA sensor but also directs towards the possibility for the fabrication of other Cu silicate based core–shell nanostructures for the precise detection of DA.

Abnormal levels of dopamine (DA) in body fluids is an indication of serious health issues, hence development of highly sensitive platforms for the precise detection of DA is highly essential.

Nanomaterial-doped conducting polymers for electrochemical sensors and biosensors

This review summarizes recent advances in the development of electrochemical sensors and biosensors based on nanomaterial doped conducting polymers.

One-step construction of a molybdenum disulfide/multi-walled carbon nanotubes/polypyrrole nanocomposite biosensor for the ex-vivo detection of dopamine in mouse brain tissue

We developed a new strategy for construction of a biosensor for the neurotransmitter dopamine. The biosensor was constructed by one-step electrochemical deposition of a nanocomposite in aqueous solution at pH 7.0, consisting of molybdenum disulfide, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, and polypyrrole. A series of analytical methods was performed to investigate the surface characteristics and the improved electrocatalytic effect of the nanocomposite, including cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The constructed biosensor showed high sensitivity (1.130 μAμM-1cm-2) with a dynamic linearity range of 25-1000 nM and a detection limit of 10 nM. Additionally, the designed sensor exhibited strong anti-interference ability and satisfactory reproducibility. The practical application of the sensor was manifested for the ex vivo determination of dopamine neurotransmitters using brain tissue samples of a mouse Parkinson's disease model.

Electrochemical detection of interaction between capsaicin and nucleic acids in comparison to agarose gel electrophoresis

In this study, the biomolecular interaction occurred between nucleic acids and Capsaicin (CPS), the active compound in chilli peppers, which has been reported to have anti-carcinogenic properties, was investigated for the first time herein using disposable electrochemical biosensor. It is aimed to perform the surface-confined interaction between CPS and different types of nucleic acids and under this aim, the experimental conditions were optimized; such as, the concentration of CPS and DNA, DNA immobilization time and interaction time etc. The detection limit of DNA was estimated based on guanine oxidation signal in the linear concentration range of DNA from 1 to 5 μg/mL, and it was found to be 0.62 μg/mL. The effect of time-dependent manner from 1 min to 30 min on the interaction of CPS with nucleic acids was explored upon to the changes at guanine signal coming from double stranded DNA and cDNA as well as PCR samples. The interaction of CPS with double stranded DNA was also determined by agarose gel electrophoresis.

Synthesis and Absorption Properties of Hollow-spherical Dy2Cu2O5 via a Coordination Compound Method with [DyCu(3,4-pdc)2(OAc)(H2O)2]•10.5H2O Precursor

Dy2Cu2O5 nanoparticles with perovskite structures were synthesized via a simple solution method (SSM) and a coordination compound method (CCM) using [DyCu(3,4-pdc)2(OAc)(H2O)2]•10.5H2O (pdc = 3,4-pyridinedicarboxylic acid) as precursor. The as-prepared samples were structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and standard Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) methods. Compared to the aggregated hexahedral particles prepared by SSM, the Dy2Cu2O5 of CCM showed hollow spherical morphology composed of nanoparticles with average diameters of 100-150 nm and a larger special surface area up to 36.5 m2/g. The maximum adsorption capacity (Q m ) of CCM for malachite green (MG) determined by the adsorption isotherms with different adsorbent dosages of 0.03-0.07 g, reached 5.54 g/g at room temperature. The thermodynamic parameters of adsorption process were estimated by the fittings of the isotherms at 298, 318, and 338 K, and the kinetic parameters were obtained from the time-dependent adsorption isotherms. The results revealed that the adsorption process followed a pseudo-second-order reaction. Finally, the adsorption mechanism was studied using a competitive ion (CI) experiments, and the highly efficient selective adsorption was achieved due to strong O-Cu and O-Dy coordination bonds between Dy2Cu2O5 and MG.

Conducting electrospun fibres with polyanionic grafts as highly selective, label-free, electrochemical biosensor with a low detection limit for non-Hodgkin lymphoma gene

A highly selective, label-free sensor for the non-Hodgkin lymphoma gene, with an aM detection limit, utilizing electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is presented. The sensor consists of a conducting electrospun fibre mat, surface-grafted with poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) brushes and a conducting polymer sensing element with covalently attached oligonucleotide probes. The sensor was fabricated from electrospun NBR rubber, embedded with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), followed by grafting poly(acrylic acid) brushes and then electrochemically polymerizing a conducting polymer monomer with ssDNA probe sequence pre-attached. The resulting non-Hodgkin lymphoma gene sensor showed a detection limit of 1aM (1 × 10^-18mol/L), more than 400 folds lower compared to a thin-film analogue. The sensor presented extraordinary selectivity, with only 1%, 2.7% and 4.6% of the signal recorded for the fully non-complimentary, T-A and G-C base mismatch oligonucleotide sequences, respectively. We suggest that such greatly enhanced selectivity is due to the presence of negatively charged carboxylic acid moieties from PAA grafts that electrostatically repel the non-complementary and mismatch DNA sequences, overcoming the non-specific binding.

The memristive effect as a novelty in drug monitoring

Nanoscale devices exhibiting memristive properties show great potential in a plethora of applications. In this work, memristive nanowires are presented for the first time as ideal candidates for absolutely novel, ultrasensitive, highly specific and selective drug-biosensors, also paving the way for real-time monitoring applications, in coupling with the restoration properties of DNA-aptamers. The hysteretic properties exhibited by the hereby-presented special nanodevices, modified via surface treatments, are leveraged along the complete cycle consisting of DNA-aptamer immobilization, target binding, and DNA-aptamer regeneration for successful and effective detection of Tenofovir, an antiviral drug for HIV treatment, in buffer as well as in non-diluted human serum. This results in ultrasensitive, label-free monitoring of the therapeutic compound with a limit of detection of 3.09 pM in buffer and 1.38 nM in full serum. These LODs demonstrate 10 times higher sensitivity for the in-buffer drug detection, and twice better performance for drug sensing in full human serum, ever obtained. The selectivity of the memristive biosensor for Tenofovir detection was verified through both positive and negative controls in full human serum. In addition, the DNA-aptamer regeneration character is portrayed for the first time through a memristive effect, and scanning electron microscopy throws more light on the binding mechanism efficiency through the variation of the nanodevice surface properties at the nanoscale.The results presented in this work demonstrate that the coupling of the memristive effect and aptamer regeneration provides the best ever realized nano-biosensor for drug detection also in full human serum.

Ultrasensitive and selective 4-aminophenol chemical sensor development based on nickel oxide nanoparticles decorated carbon nanotube nanocomposites for green environment

Nickel oxide nanoparticles decorated carbon nanotube nanocomposites (NiO·CNT NCs) were prepared in a basic medium by using facile wet-chemical routes. The optical, morphological, and structural properties of NiO·CNT NCs were characterized using Fourier transformed infra-red (FT-IR), Ultra-violet visible (UV/Vis) spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray energy dispersed spectroscopy (XEDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods. Selective 4-aminophenol (4-AP) chemical sensor was developed by a flat glassy carbon electrode (GCE, surface area: 0.0316cm²) fabricated with a thin-layer of NCs. Electrochemical responses including higher sensitivity, large dynamic range (LDR), limit of detection (LOD), and long-term stability towards 4-AP were obtained using the fabricated chemical sensors. The calibration curve was found linear (R²=0.914) over a wide range of 4-AP concentration (0.1nmol/L-0.1mol/L). In perspective of slope (2×10^-5μA/μM), LOD and sensitivity were calculated as 15.0±0.1pM and ~6.33×10^-4μA/(μM·cm) respectively. The synthesized NiO·CNT NCs using a wet-chemical method is a significant route for the development of ultrasensitive and selective phenolic sensor based on nano-materials for environmental toxic substances. It is suggested that a pioneer and selective development of 4-AP sensitive sensor using NiO·CNT NCs by a facile and reliable current vs voltage (I-V) method for the major application of toxic agents in biological, green environmental, and health-care fields in near future.

New synthesis of poly ortho-methoxyaniline nanostructures and its application to construct modified multi-wall carbon nanotube/graphite paste electrode for simultaneous determination of uric acid and folic acid

Uric acid (UA) and folic acid (FA) are compounds of biomedical interest. In humans, about 70% of daily uric acid disposal occurs via the kidneys, and in 5–25% of humans, impaired renal (kidney) excretion leads to hyperuricemia. Folate is another form folic acid of which is known as, is one of the B vitamins. It is used as a supplement by women to prevent neural tube defects developing during pregnancy. Polyortho-methoxyaniline nanostructures (POMANS) was synthesized with a new two phase (organic-water) synthesis method. The POMANS was characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform IR (FTIR). This polymer was used to construct a modified multi-wall carbon nanotube, graphite paste electrode (POMANS-MWCNT/GPE). Linear sweep voltammograms (LSV), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry were used to investigate the suitability of polyortho-methoxyaniline with multi-wall carbon nanotubes paste electrode as a modifier for the electrocatalytic oxidation of UA and FA in aqueous solutions with various pHs. The results showed that POMANS-MWCNT/GPE had high anodic peak currents for the electrooxidation of UA and FA in pH 6.0.Under the optimized conditions, The catalytic peak currents obtained, was linearly dependent on the UA and FA concentrations in the range of 0.6–52 and 0.5–68 μM with two segments and the detection limits 0.157 and 0.113 μM for UA and FA were, respectively. Finally, the proposed method was also examined as a sensitive, simple and inexpensive electrochemical sensor for the simultaneous determination of UA and FA in real samples such as urine and serum.

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For the first time, POMANS was synthesized with a new method of two-phase organic & water.

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POMANS-MWCNT/GPE was used for simultaneous determination of UA and FA at optimum pH 6.0.

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Parameters n and α were also determined for UA and FA.

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Electrochemical simultaneous determination of UA and FA with modified electrode real samples.

Application of novel Ni(II) complex and ZrO2 nanoparticle as mediators for electrocatalytic determination of N-acetylcysteine in drug samples

The electrooxidation of N-acetylcysteine (N-AC) was studied by a novel Ni(II) complex modified ZrO₂ nanoparticle carbon paste electrode [Ni(II)/ZrO₂/NPs/CPE] using voltammetric methods. The results showed that Ni(II)/ZrO₂/NPs/CPE had high electrocatalytic activity for the electrooxidation of N-AC in aqueous buffer solution (pH = 7.0). The electrocatalytic oxidation peak currents increase linearly with N-AC concentrations over the concentration ranges of 0.05-600μM using square wave voltammetric methods. The detection limit for N-AC was equal to 0.009μM. The catalytic reaction rate constant, k_h, was calculated (7.01 × 10² M^-1 s^-1) using the chronoamperometry method. Finally, Ni(II)/ZrO₂/NPs/CPE was also examined as an ultrasensitive electrochemical sensor for the determination of N-AC in real samples such as tablet and urine.

Surface Imprints: Advantageous Application of Ready2use Materials for Bacterial Quartz-Crystal Microbalance Sensors

Four different materials (two ab initio synthesized polyurethanes; ready-to-use: Epon1002F and poly(vinyl alcohol)/N-methyl-4(4'-formylstyryl)pyridinium methosulfate acetal) for the generation of Escherichia coli surface imprints are compared in this work. The use of commercially available, ready-to-use materials instead of self-synthesized polymers represents an innovative and convenient way of molecular imprint fabrication. This was herein investigated for large, biological templates. Fully synthesized imprint materials (polyurethanes) were developed and optimized regarding their OH excess and the use of catalyst in the polymerization reaction. No to low OH excess (0-10%) and a noncatalyzed synthesis were determined to be superior for the imprinting of the Gram-negative bacteria. Imprints were characterized using atomic force microscopy, with Epon1002F yielding the most distinguished imprints, along with a smooth surface. The imprints were afterward tested as plastic antibody coatings in a mass-sensitive quartz-crystal microbalance measurement. Dilutions of E. coli suspensions, down to a limit of detection of 1.4 × 10⁷ CFU/mL, were successfully measured. Best results were obtained with Epon1002F and self-synthesized, stoichiometric polyurethane. Since ready-to-use Epon1002F was superior in terms of signal intensities and sensitivity, it can advantageously replace self-synthesized polymers for the generation of imprinted sensor surfaces. Easy day-to-day reproducibility and further shortening of imprint fabrication time are other advantages of employing the ready-to-use material instead of conventionally synthesized polymers.

A novel ionic liquid functionalized graphene oxide supported gold nanoparticle composite film for sensitive electrochemical detection of dopamine

A simple and sensitive electrochemical sensor for detection of dopamine has been developed based on ionic liquid functionalized graphene oxide supported gold nanoparticles (GO-IL-AuNPs) coated onto a glassy carbon electrode.

A nanostructure label-free DNA biosensor for ciprofloxacin analysis as a chemotherapeutic agent: an experimental and theoretical investigation

A nanostructure DNA biosensor based on pencil graphite electrode modified with polypyrrole, single wall carbon nanotubes and ds-DNA (PGE/PP/SWCNTs/DNA) was suggested for the determination of ciprofloxacin.

Selective staining of CdS on ZnO biolabel for ultrasensitive sandwich-type amperometric immunoassay of human heart-type fatty-acid-binding protein and immunoglobulin G

We report on an ultrasensitive metal-labeled amperometric immunoassay of proteins, which is based on the selective staining of nanocrystalline cadmium sulfide (CdS) on ZnO nanocrystals and in-situ microliter-droplet anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) detection on the immunoelectrode. Briefly, antibody 1 (Ab₁), bovine serum albumin (BSA), antigen and ZnO-multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) labeled antibody 2 (Ab₂-ZnO-MWCNTs) were successively anchored on a β-cyclodextrin-graphene sheets (CD-GS) nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE), forming a sandwich-type immunoelectrode (Ab₂-ZnO-MWCNTs/antigen/BSA/Ab₁/CD-GS/GCE). CdS was selectively grown on the catalytic ZnO surfaces through chemical reaction of Cd(NO₃)₂ and thioacetamide (ZnO-label/CdS-staining), due to the presence of an activated cadmium hydroxide complex on ZnO surfaces that can decompose thioacetamide. A beforehand cathodic "potential control" in air and then injection of 7μL of 0.1M aqueous HNO₃ on the immunoelectrode allow dissolution of the stained CdS and simultaneous cathodic preconcentration of atomic Cd onto the electrode surface, thus the following in-situ ASV detection can be used for immunoassay with enhanced sensitivity. Under optimized conditions, human immunoglobulin G (IgG) and human heart-type fatty-acid-binding protein (FABP) are analyzed by this method with ultrahigh sensitivity, excellent selectivity and small reagent-consumption, and the limits of detection (LODs, S/N=3) are 0.4fgmL^-1 for IgG and 0.3fgmL^-1 for FABP (equivalent to 73 FABP molecules in the 6μL sample employed).

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using onion extract and their application for the preparation of a modified electrode for determination of ascorbic acid

A high-quality method for one-pot biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using onion extracts as reductant and stabilizer is reported. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). UV-Vis spectroscopy results showed that the AgNP absorption band was located at a peak of 397 nm in aqueous solution. Both XRD and TEM results confirmed that the AgNPs were mainly spherical with average diameters of 6.0 nm by TEM and about 5.3-10.2 nm calculated using XRD data. The ability of AgNPs to reduce charge transfer resistance was also investigated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Finally, the effect of synthesized NPs on ascorbic acid signal was investigated by square wave voltammetry. The peak current of square wave voltammograms of ascorbic acid increased linearly with its concentration in the range of 0.4-450.0μM. The detection limit for ascorbic acid was 0.1μM.

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.