Sensor and biosensor preparation, optimisation and applications of Prussian Blue modified electrodes

Potential of a simple lab-on-a-tube for point-of-care measurements of multiple analytes

This technical note presents a simple and disposable lab-on-a-tube (LOT) for point-of-care measurements of multiple analytes. LOT is a one-step device that can perform both sample collection and multi-sensing on-site. Sample collection is conducted by taking advantage of its inherent micro/macro channel structure while multi-sensing is conducted by integrated microsensors. This approach ensures reliable transportation of various samples into the testing area by either passive capillary force or active suction force, thus avoiding the need for a pump or injection components as used in lab-on-a-chip systems. The developed LOT (Diameter = 1 mm, Sensing length = 4.5 mm, Required sample volume = 3.5 microl) is capable of simultaneously quantifying the concentrations of glucose, lactate and oxygen in human serum samples. The result suggests the LOT hold great potential for many point-of-care applications.

Multifunctional nanoparticles: analytical prospects

Multifunctional nanoparticles are among the most exciting nanomaterials with promising applications in analytical chemistry. These applications include (bio)sensing, (bio)assays, catalysis and separations. Although most of these applications are based on the magnetic, optical and electrochemical properties of multifunctional nanoparticles, other aspects such as the synergistic effect of the functional groups and the amplification effect associated with the nanoscale dimension have also been observed. Considering not only the nature of the raw material but also the shape, there is a huge variety of nanoparticles. In this review only magnetic, quantum dots, gold nanoparticles, carbon and inorganic nanotubes as well as silica, titania and gadolinium oxide nanoparticles are addressed. This review presents a narrative summary on the use of multifunctional nanoparticles for analytical applications, along with a discussion on some critical challenges existing in the field and possible solutions that have been or are being developed to overcome these challenges.

An evolution based biosensor receptor DNA sequence generation algorithm

A biosensor is composed of a bioreceptor, an associated recognition molecule, and a signal transducer that can selectively detect target substances for analysis. DNA based biosensors utilize receptor molecules that allow hybridization with the target analyte. However, most DNA biosensor research uses oligonucleotides as the target analytes and does not address the potential problems of real samples. The identification of recognition molecules suitable for real target analyte samples is an important step towards further development of DNA biosensors. This study examines the characteristics of DNA used as bioreceptors and proposes a hybrid evolution-based DNA sequence generating algorithm, based on DNA computing, to identify suitable DNA bioreceptor recognition molecules for stable hybridization with real target substances. The Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP) approach is applied in the proposed algorithm to evaluate the safety and fitness of the generated DNA sequences. This approach improves efficiency and stability for enhanced and variable-length DNA sequence generation and allows extension to generation of variable-length DNA sequences with diverse receptor recognition requirements.

Rotating disk electrode study of electrocatalytic oxidation of ascorbate at Prussian blue modified electrode

Electrooxidation of ascorbate has been studied with the use of a rotating disk electrode. The results obtained show an efficient electrocatalytic oxidation of ascorbate at the Prussian blue (PB) modified electrode to proceed in solutions of pH 5.5 and 7.3. Depending on solution pH, the onset potential for ascorbate electrooxidation at PB modified electrode appears shifted by 0.1–0.2 V to lower values, as compared to an unmodified glassy carbon electrode. Within the electrode potential window of 0.3 to 0.5 V vs. Ag/AgCl, and electrode rotation velocity of 50–2000 rpm, the catalytic current obeys Koutecky-Levich equation at a submillimolar ascorbate concentration. Kinetic current densities, obtained from the data treatment, are higher for a pH 5.5 solution, and also at higher electrode potential.

Immobilization of acetylcholineesterase-choline oxidase on a gold-platinum bimetallic nanoparticles modified glassy carbon electrode for the sensitive detection of organophosphate pesticides, carbamates and nerve agents

A novel, highly sensitive amperometric biosensor, based on electrodeposition of gold-platinum bimetallic nanoparticles onto 3-aminopropyltriethoxy silane modified glassy carbon electrode for the detection of paraoxon ethyl, aldicarb, and sarin has been developed. The biosensor consists of acetylcholineesterase (AChE)/choline oxidase (ChOx) immobilized by cross-linking with glutaraldehyde on a modified electrode. The properties of nanoparticles modified electrodes are characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), cyclic voltammograms (CVs) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The synergistic action of Au and Pt nanoparticles showed excellent electrocatalytic activity with low applied potential for the detection of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)). The IC(50) and inhibition rate constant (K(i)) values were determined for the inhibitors using immobilized enzymes on modified electrode and the data were compared by spectrophotometric determination of these kinetic parameters using free enzymes in solution. Paraoxon ethyl, sarin, and aldicarb could be detected up to 150-200nM, 40-50nM, and 40-60 microM respectively at 30-40% inhibition level of AChE enzyme and followed linearity in wide range concentration.

Electrocatalytic microelectrode detectors for choline and acetylcholine following separation by capillary electrophoresis

Two electrocatalytic enzyme modified microelectrode systems were employed as end-column amperometric detectors of choline (Ch) and acetylcholine (ACh) following separation by capillary electrophoresis (CE). Horseradish peroxidase cross-linked in an osmium based redox polymer hydrogel (HRP-Os) was physically adsorbed on Au microelectrodes followed by chemical cross-linking of the enzymes acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and choline oxidase (ChO). An alternative approach utilized the deposition of the transition metal catalyst, Prussian Blue (PB), on Pt microelectrodes as the electrocatalyst. Utilizing butyrylcholine (BuCh) as an internal standard, the HRP-Os/AChE-ChO and PB/AChE-ChO electrodes exhibited excellent linear responses from 2-2000 microM and 10-2000 microM, respectively, for both Ch and ACh. Detection limits of 0.1 microM or 38 amol were determined for the HRP-Os/AChE-ChO electrode. The limit of detection for ACh and Ch at the PB/AChE-ChO electrode was 5 microM or 9.5 fmol. The electrodes were operated at potentials of +0.10 and -0.10 V vs Ag/AgCl (3 M NaCl), respectively, and thus minimized the potential response from oxidizable interferences. In addition, both electrocatalytic electrodes showed good operational stability for more than 70 h. The enhanced detection capability of the HRP-Os/AChE-ChO and PB/AChE-ChO electrodes in combination with efficient CE separation of Ch and ACh provides a new sensitive and selective strategy for monitoring and quantifying these cholinergic biomarkers in biological fluids.

Assembly and electroanalytical performance of Prussian blue/polypyrrole composite nanoparticles synthesized by the reverse micelle method

We report on the characterization, assembly and electroanalytical performance of Prussian blue/polypyrrole (PBPPy) composite nanoparticles synthesized by the reverse micelle method. Scanning electron microscopy suggests the formation of nanosized PBPPy particles with diameters between 40 and 50 nm. Optical absorption confirms that the particles are composed of Prussian blue (PB) and polypyrrole. PB and PBPPy nanoparticles were anchored onto the surface of cysteine-modified Au electrodes. Cyclic voltammetry experiments show that PB- or PBPPy-modified electrodes exhibit intrinsic electrochemical properties and a high electrocatalytic activity towards H2O2. PBPPy-modified electrodes exhibit a higher sensitivity to H2O2 than PB-modified electrodes. A linear calibration curve in the concentration range 0.99 μM-8.26 mM H2O2 is constructed with a detection limit of 0.23 μM at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. Excellent stability is observed for PBPPy-composite-nanoparticle-modified electrodes even in a pH 6 phosphate buffer solution with a high H2O2 concentration (0.99 mM). Glutaraldehyde and [Formula: see text] were also employed to immobilize glucose oxidase for the development of PBPPy-based biosensors. The results show that PBPPy composite nanoparticles can be used to develop oxidase-based biosensors.

Interaction of D-amino acid oxidase with carbon nanotubes: implications in the design of biosensors

We have investigated the interaction of d-amino acid oxidase (DAAO) with single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT) by spectroscopic ellipsometry. Dynamic adsorption experiments were performed at different experimental conditions. In addition, the activity of the enzyme adsorbed at different conditions was studied. Our results indicate that DAAO can be adsorbed to CNT at different pH values and concentrations by a combination of hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions. Considering that the highest enzymatic activity was obtained by adsorbing the protein at pH 5.7 and 0.1 mg x mL(-1), our results indicate that DAAO can adopt multiple orientations on the surface, which are ultimately responsible for significant differences in catalytic activity.