Chiral voltammetric sensor for tryptophan enantiomers by using a self-assembled multiwalled carbon nanotubes/polyaniline/sodium alginate composite

Enhanced Enantioselective Discrimination Regulated by Achiral Ligands in Chiral Metal-Organic Frameworks

Enantioselective recognition is a fundamental property of chiral linkers in chiral metal-organic frameworks (CMOFs). However, clarifying the efficient enantioselective discrimination tailored by achiral linkers remains challenging to explain the chiral recognition mechanism and efficiency. Here, two CMOFs ([Zn2(l-Phe)2(bpa)2]n and [Zn2(l-Phe)2(bpe)2]n) with the completely different enantioselective recognition are synthesized from different nonchiral ligands and the same chiral ligands. The enantioselective recognition of CMOF is undoubtedly related to l-Phe, which differs in the hydrogen bonding to the Trp enantiomer. However, the electrochemical signals are weak and undifferentiated. [Zn2(l-Phe)2(bpe)2]n produces a flattened coplanar conformation with the -C═C- tether in the achiral ligand. The flattened achiral bpee ligand and its surrounding chiral phenylalanine molecules interact through multiple π-π stacking and hydrogen bonding, which together create a chiral sensor that facilitates the recognition of l-Trp. However, [Zn2(l-Phe)2(bpa)2]n produces a stepped conformation due to the -C-C- tether in the achiral ligand; despite the recognition effect of bpea, the recognition is unsatisfactory. Therefore, the chiral recognition of the two CMOFs stems from the synergistic effect between chiral and achiral ligands. This work shows that nonchiral ligands are also crucial in determining enantiomeric discrimination and opens up a new avenue for designing chiral materials.

Chiral Selectors in Voltammetric Sensors Based on Mixed Phenylalanine/Alanine Cu(II) and Zn(II) Complexes

A practical application composite based on mixed chelate complexes [M(S-Ala)2(H2O)n]–[M(S-Phe)2(H2O)n] (M = Cu(II), Zn(II); n = 0–1) as chiral selectors in enantioselective voltammetric sensors was suggested. The structures of the resulting complexes were studied by XRD, ESI-MS, and IR- and NMR-spectroscopy methods. It was determined that enantioselectivity depends on the metal nature and on the structure of the mixed complex. The mixed complexes, which were suggested to be chiral selectors, were stable under the experimental conditions and provided greater enantioselectivity in the determination of chiral analytes, such as naproxen and propranolol, in comparison with the amino acids they comprise. The best results shown by the mixed copper complex [Cu(S-Ala)2]–[Cu(S-Phe)2] were: ipS/ipR = 1.27 and ΔEp = 30 mV for Nap; and ipS/ipR = 1.37 and ΔEp = 20 mV for Prp. The electrochemical and analytical characteristics of the sensors and conditions of voltammogram recordings were studied by differential pulse voltammetry. Linear relationships between the anodic current and the concentrations of Nap and Prp enantiomers were achieved in the range of 2.5 × 10−5 to 1.0 × 10−3 mol L−1 for GCE/PEC-[Cu(S-Ala)2]–[Cu(S-Phe)2] and 5.0 × 10−5 to 1.0 × 10−3 for GCE/PEC–[Zn(S-Ala)2(H2O)]–[Zn(S-Phe)2(H2O)], with detection limits (3 s/m) of 0.30–1.24 μM. The suggested sensor was used to analyze Nap and Prp enantiomers in urine and plasma samples.

Highly Synergistic Sensor of Graphene Electrode Functionalized with Rutile TiO2 Microstructure to Detect L-Tryptophan Compound

Electrochemical processes are an effective method for detecting dangerous food ingredients. The synergetic between the reduction-oxidation (redox) processes inspired several papers and spurred research towards studying the new materials that can further adapt to optimize the rapid detection of chemical compounds. In this study, we report the eco-synthesis using graphene/TiO₂ rutile (G/TiO₂) electrode microstructures easily prepared through the physical method by mixing graphene and TiO₂ powder and its application for sensing L-tryptophan (Trp) compound. The material characterization results show that the graphene surface is smoother than the G/TiO₂ material. Graphene has been detected using X-ray diffraction (XRD) at a value of 2 thetas 26.39° and TiO₂ forms rutile crystals (110). The FTIR spectrum exhibits the functional groups from graphene of -OH, C-H, C=C, C-O, and TiO₂ identified with Ti-O bonds. The electrochemical test against G/TiO₂ electrode microstructures for Trp compound shows that 0.5 g TiO₂ rutile was the best composition functionalized with graphene material under 0.1M K₃[Fe(CN)₆] + 0.1M NaNO₃ electrolyte with a scan rate of 0.1 V/s. Determination of the detection limit was obtained at 0.005 mg/L with a HorRat value of 1.05%. The stability test was carried out for 25 days, and the addition of Pb(NO₃)₂ as an interference compound had a significant effect on the decrease in electrode performance.

A Review of Sensors and Biosensors Modified with Conducting Polymers and Molecularly Imprinted Polymers Used in Electrochemical Detection of Amino Acids: Phenylalanine, Tyrosine, and Tryptophan

Recently, the studies on developing sensors and biosensors-with an obvious interdisciplinary character-have drawn the attention of many researchers specializing in various fundamental, but also complex domains such as chemistry, biochemistry, physics, biophysics, biology, bio-pharma-medicine, and bioengineering. Along these lines, the present paper is structured into three parts, and is aimed at synthesizing the most relevant studies on the construction and functioning of versatile devices, of electrochemical sensors and biosensors, respectively. The first part presents examples of the most representative scientific research focusing on the role and the importance of the phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan amino acids, selected depending on their chemical structure and their impact on the central nervous system. The second part is dedicated to presenting and exemplifying conductor polymers and molecularly imprinted polymers used as sensitive materials in achieving electrochemical sensors and biosensors. The last part of the review analyzes the sensors and biosensors developed so far to detect amino acids with the aid of conductor polymers and molecularly imprinted polymers from the point of view of the performances obtained, with emphasis on the detection methods, on the electrochemical reactions that take place upon detection, and on the electroanalytical performances. The present study was carried out with a view to highlighting, for the benefit of specialists in medicine and pharmacy, the possibility of achieving and purchasing efficient devices that might be used in the quality control of medicines, as well as in studying and monitoring diseases associated with these amino acids.

Development of an Efficient Voltammetric Sensor for the Monitoring of 4-Aminophenol Based on Flexible Laser Induced Graphene Electrodes Modified with MWCNT-PANI

Sensitive electrodes are of a great importance for the realization of highly performant electrochemical sensors for field application. In the present work, a laser-induced carbon (LIC) electrode is proposed for 4-Aminophenol (4-AP) electrochemical sensors. The electrode is patterned on a commercial low-cost polyimide (Kapton) sheet and functionalized with a multi-walled carbon nanotubes polyaniline (MWCNT-PANI) composite, realized by an in-situ-polymerization in an acidic medium. The LIC electrode modified with MWCNT-PAPNI nanocomposite was investigated by SEM, AFM, and electrochemically in the presence of ferri-ferrocyanide [Fe(CN)6]3-/4- by cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy. The results show a significant improvement of the electron transfer rate after the electrode functionalization in the presence of the redox mediators [Fe(CN)6]3-/4-, related directly to the active surface, which itself increased by about 18.13% compared with the bare LIG. The novel electrode shows a good reproducibility and a stability for 20 cycles and more. It has a significantly enhanced electro-catalytic activity towards electrooxidation reaction of 4-AP inferring positive synergistic effects between carbon nanotubes and polyaniline PANI. The presented electrode combination LIC/MWCNT-PANI exhibits a detection limit of 0.006 μM for the determination of 4-AP at concentrations ranging from 0.1 μM to 55 μM and was successfully applied for the monitoring in real samples with good recoveries.

Hybrid light-emitting devices for the straightforward readout of chiral information

Bipolar electrochemistry has gained increasing attention in recent years as an attractive transduction concept in analytical chemistry in general and, more specifically, in the frame of chiral recognition. Herein, we use this concept of wireless electrochemistry, based on the combination of the enantioselective oxidation of a chiral probe with the emission of light from a light-emitting diode (LED), as an alternative for an easy and straightforward readout of the presence of chiral molecules in solution. A hybrid polymer-microelectronic device was designed, using an inherently chiral oligomer, that is, oligo-(3,3'-dibenzothiophene) and a polypyrrole strip as the anode and cathode of a miniaturized LED. The wireless induced redox reactions trigger light emission when the probe with the right chirality is present in solution, whereas no light emission is observed for the opposite enantiomer. The average light intensity shows a linear correlation with the analyte concentration, and the concept opens the possibility to quantify the enantiomeric excess in mixtures of the molecular antipodes.