Amperometric glucose sensor based on coimmobilization of glucose oxidase and Poly(p-phenylenediamine) at a platinum microdisk electrode

Tailored diffusion limiting membrane for microneedle glucose sensors with wide linear range

Continuous glucose monitoring is very important to daily blood glucose control in diabetic patients, but its accuracy is limited by the narrow linear range of the response of biosensor to the glucose concentration because of the oxygen starvation in tissue and the limited maximum conversion rate of glucose oxidase. In this work, a biocompatible diffusion limiting membrane based on two medical-grade polyurethanes is developed via blending modification to restrict the diffusion flux of glucose to match the oxygen concentration and the maximum conversion rate. The expansiveness of the linear range for the nanomaterials-modified electrode in the glucose biosensor can be achieved through the regulation of two polyurethanes, the solvent, and the thickness of the membrane. In addition, the mass transport of hydrogen peroxide and interfering substances is also limited of the membrane. The in vitro experiments demonstrated that the membrane-modified microneedle biosensor exhibited a rapid response to the concentration variation of glucose, a wide linear range that is sufficient to cover the blood concentration of healthy and diabetic people, the ability to resist the oxygen concentration fluctuation and interfering substances, good reproducibility and long-term stability. The custom wearable electrochemical system, possessing these characteristics, has been proven to accurately monitor the blood concentration in a living rat in real time. This demonstrates a significant potential for application in both daily and clinical blood glucose monitoring.

On-Chip Glucose Detection Based on Glucose Oxidase Immobilized on a Platinum-Modified, Gold Microband Electrode

We report the microfabrication and characterization of gold microband electrodes on silicon using standard microfabrication methods, i.e., lithography and etching techniques. A two-step electrodeposition process was carried out using the on-chip platinum reference and gold counter electrodes, thus incorporating glucose oxidase onto a platinum-modified, gold microband electrode with an o-phenylenediamine and ß-cyclodextrin mixture. The as-fabricated electrodes were studied using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The two-step electrodeposition process was conducted in low sample volumes (50 µL) of both solutions required for biosensor construction. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were utilised for electrochemical characterization at each stage of the deposition process. The enzymatic-based microband biosensor demonstrated a linear response to glucose from 2.5-15 mM, using both linear sweep voltammetry and chronoamperometric measurements in buffer-based solutions. The biosensor performance was examined in 30 µL volumes of fetal bovine serum. Whilst a reduction in the sensor sensitivity was evident within 100% serum samples (compared to buffer media), the sensor demonstrated linear glucose detection with increasing glucose concentrations (5-17 mM).

Silk Fibroin: An Emerging Biocompatible Material for Application of Enzymes and Whole Cells in Bioelectronics and Bioanalytical Sciences

Enzymes and whole cells serve as the active biological entities in a myriad of applications including bioprocesses, bioanalytics, and bioelectronics. Conserving the natural activity of these functional biological entities during their prolonged use is one of the major goals for validating their practical applications. Silk fibroin (SF) has emerged as a biocompatible material to interface with enzymes as well as whole cells. These biomaterials can be tailored both physically and chemically to create excellent scaffolds of different forms such as fibers, films, and powder for immobilization and stabilization of enzymes. The secondary structures of the SF-protein can be attuned to generate hydrophobic/hydrophilic pockets suitable to create the biocompatible microenvironments. The fibrous nature of the SF protein with a dominant hydrophobic property may also serve as an excellent support for promoting cellular adhesion and growth. This review compiles and discusses the recent literature on the application of SF as a biocompatible material at the interface of enzymes and cells in various fields, including the emerging area of bioelectronics and bioanalytical sciences.

Multi-Organs-on-Chips: Towards Long-Term Biomedical Investigations

With advantageous features such as minimizing the cost, time, and sample size requirements, organ-on-a-chip (OOC) systems have garnered enormous interest from researchers for their ability for real-time monitoring of physical parameters by mimicking the in vivo microenvironment and the precise responses of xenobiotics, i.e., drug efficacy and toxicity over conventional two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures, as well as animal models. Recent advancements of OOC systems have evidenced the fabrication of 'multi-organ-on-chip' (MOC) models, which connect separated organ chambers together to resemble an ideal pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) model for monitoring the complex interactions between multiple organs and the resultant dynamic responses of multiple organs to pharmaceutical compounds. Numerous varieties of MOC systems have been proposed, mainly focusing on the construction of these multi-organ models, while there are only few studies on how to realize continual, automated, and stable testing, which still remains a significant challenge in the development process of MOCs. Herein, this review emphasizes the recent advancements in realizing long-term testing of MOCs to promote their capability for real-time monitoring of multi-organ interactions and chronic cellular reactions more accurately and steadily over the available chip models. Efforts in this field are still ongoing for better performance in the assessment of preclinical attributes for a new chemical entity. Further, we give a brief overview on the various biomedical applications of long-term testing in MOCs, including several proposed applications and their potential utilization in the future. Finally, we summarize with perspectives.

Facile preparation of ion-doped poly(p-phenylenediamine) nanoparticles for photothermal therapy

Ion-doped poly(p-phenylenediamine) nanoparticles were synthesized and used as a photothermal agent for photothermal therapy for the first time.

Sensing of Salivary Glucose Using Nano-Structured Biosensors

The anxiety and pain associated with frequent finger pricking has always been troublesome for diabetics measuring blood glucose (BG) in their daily lives. For this reason, a reliable glucose monitoring system that allows noninvasive measurements is highly desirable. Our main objective is to develop a biosensor that can detect low-level glucose in saliva (physiological range 0.5–20 mg/dL). Salivary glucose (SG) sensors were built using a layer-by-layer self-assembly of single-walled carbon nanotubes, chitosan, gold nanoparticles, and glucose oxidase onto a screen-printed platinum electrode. An electrochemical method was utilized for the quantitative detection of glucose in both buffer solution and saliva samples. A standard spectrophotometric technique was used as a reference method to validate the glucose content of each sample. The disposable glucose sensors have a detection limit of 0.41 mg/dL, a sensitivity of 0.24 μA·s·dL·mg⁻¹, a linear range of 0.5–20 mg/dL in buffer solution, and a response time of 30 s. A study of 10 healthy subjects was conducted, and SG levels between 1.1 to 10.1 mg/dL were successfully detected. The results revealed that the noninvasive SG monitoring could be an alternative for diabetes self-management at home. This paper is not intended to replace regular BG tests, but to study SG itself as an indicator for the quality of diabetes care. It can potentially help patients control and monitor their health conditions, enabling them to comply with prescribed treatments for diabetes.

Microfluidic Organ/Body-on-a-Chip Devices at the Convergence of Biology and Microengineering

Recent advances in biomedical technologies are mostly related to the convergence of biology with microengineering. For instance, microfluidic devices are now commonly found in most research centers, clinics and hospitals, contributing to more accurate studies and therapies as powerful tools for drug delivery, monitoring of specific analytes, and medical diagnostics. Most remarkably, integration of cellularized constructs within microengineered platforms has enabled the recapitulation of the physiological and pathological conditions of complex tissues and organs. The so-called “organ-on-a-chip” technology, which represents a new avenue in the field of advanced in vitro models, with the potential to revolutionize current approaches to drug screening and toxicology studies. This review aims to highlight recent advances of microfluidic-based devices towards a body-on-a-chip concept, exploring their technology and broad applications in the biomedical field.

Glucose biosensor based on GOx/HRP bienzyme at liquid-crystal/aqueous interface

Glucose oxidase (GOx) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were co-immobilized to the polyacrylicacid block of a poly(acrylicacid-b-4-cyanobiphenyl-4'-undecylacrylate) (PAA-b-LCP) copolymer in water. PAA-b-LCP was strongly anchored by the LCP block in 4-cyano-4'-pentylbiphenyl (5CB) which was contained in a transmission electron microscope (TEM) grid for glucose detection. The optimal conditions for the performance of the TEM grid glucose biosensor were studied in terms of the activity and stability of the immobilized enzymes. Glucose in water was detected by the 5CB changing from a planar to a homeotropic orientation, as observed through a polarized optical microscope. The TEM biosensor detected glucose concentrations at ⩾0.02 mM, with an optimal GOx/HRP molar ratio of 3/1. This glucose biosensor has characteristics of enzyme sensitivity and stability, reusability, the ease and selective glucose detection which may provide a new way of detecting glucose.

Electropolymerized phenol derivatives as permselective polymers for biosensor applications

Amperometric biosensors are often coated with a polymeric permselective film to avoid electroactive interference by reducing agents present in the target medium. Phenylenediamine and phenol monomers are commonly used to form these permselective films in the design of microsensors and biosensors. This paper aims to evaluate the permselectivity, stability and lifetime of polymers electrosynthesized using either constant potential amperometry (CPA) or cyclic voltammetry (CV) from naturally occurring phenylpropanoids in monomeric and dimeric forms (eugenol, isoeugenol, dehydrodieugenol and magnolol). Sensors were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and permselectivity analysis. Magnolol formed an electro-deposited polymer with a more defined three-dimensional texture in comparison with the other films. The phenol-derived films showed different permselectivity towards H2O2 over ascorbic acid and dopamine, likely to be related to the thickness and compactness of the polymer. The CV-derived films had a better permselectivity compared to the CPA-corresponding polymers. Based on these results, the permselectivity, stability and lifetime of a biosensor for glucose were studied when a magnolol coating was electro-deposited. The structural principles governing the permselectivity of the magnolol-derived film are suggested to be mainly related to the conformational flexibility of this monomer. Newly designed biosensors, coated with electropolymerized natural phenol derivatives, may represent promising analytical devices for different application fields.

Glucose monitoring using a polymer brush modified polypropylene hollow fiber-based hydraulic flow sensor

Tight regulation of blood glucose levels of diabetic patients requires durable and robust continuous glucose sensing schemes. This manuscript reports the fabrication of ultrathin, phenylboronic acid (PBA) functionalized polymer brushes that swell upon glucose binding and which were integrated as the sensing interface in a new polypropylene hollow fiber (PPHF)-based hydraulic flow glucose sensor prototype. The polymer brushes were prepared via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization of sodium methacrylate followed by postpolymerization modification with 3-aminophenyl boronic acid. In a first series of experiments, the glucose-response of PBA-functionalized poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) brushes grafted from planar silicon surfaces was investigated by quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) experiments. The QCM-D experiments revealed a more or less linear change of the frequency shift for glucose concentrations up to ∼10 mM and demonstrated that glucose binding was completely reversible for up to seven switching cycles. The AFM experiments indicated that glucose binding was accompanied by an increase in the film thickness of the PBA functionalized PMAA brushes. The PBA functionalized PMAA brushes were subsequently grafted from the surface of PPHF membranes. The hydraulic permeability of these porous fibers depends on the thickness and swelling of the PMAA brush coating. PBA functionalized brush-coated PPHFs showed a decrease in flux upon exposure to glucose, which is consistent with swelling of the brush coating. Because they avoid the use of enzymes and do not rely on an electrochemical transduction scheme, these PPHF-based hydraulic flow sensors could represent an interesting alternative class of continuous glucose sensors.

Liquid crystal-based proton sensitive glucose biosensor

A transmission electron microscopy (TEM) grid filled with 4-cyno-4-pentylbiphenyl (5CB) on the octadecyltrichloro silane-coated glass in an aqueous medium was developed to construct a glucose biosensor by coating poly(acrylicacid-b-4-cynobiphenyl-4-oxyundecylacrylate) (PAA-b-LCP) at the aqueous/5CB interface and immobilizing glucose oxidase (GOx) covalently to the PAA chains. The glucose was detected from a homeotropic to planar orientational transition of 5CB by polarized optical microscopy under crossed polarizers. The maximum immobilization density of the GOx, 1.3 molecules/nm(2) obtained in this TEM grid cell enabled the detection of glucose at concentrations as low as 0.02 mM with a response time of 10 s. This liquid crystal-based glucose sensor provided a linear response of birefringence of the 5CB to glucose concentrations ranging from 0.05 to 2 mM with a Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) of 0.32 mM. This new and sensitive glucose biosensor has the merits of low production cost and easy detection through the naked eye and might be useful for prescreening the glucose level in the human body.

Characteristics of polysilicon wire glucose sensors with a surface modified by silica nanoparticles/γ-APTES nanocomposite

This report investigates the sensing characteristics of polysilicon wire (PSW) glucose biosensors, including thickness characteristics and line-width effects on detection limits, linear range and interference immunity with membranes coated by micropipette/spin-coating and focus-ion-beam (FIB) processed capillary atomic-force-microscopy (C-AFM) tip scan/coating methods. The PSW surface was modified with a mixture of 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane (γ-APTES) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-treated hydrophobic fumed silica nanoparticles (NPs). We found that the thickness of the γ-APTES+NPs nonocomposite could be controlled well at about 22 nm with small relative standard deviation (RSD) with repeated C-AFM tip scan/coatings. The detection limit increased and linear range decreased with the line width of the PSW through the tip-coating process. Interestingly, the interference immunity ability improves as the line width increases. For a 500 nm-wide PSW, the percentage changes of the channel current density changes (ΔJ) caused by acetaminophen (AP) can be kept below 3.5% at an ultra-high AP-to-glucose concentration ratio of 600:1. Simulation results showed that the line width dependence of interference immunity was strongly correlated with the channel electrical field of the PSW biosensor.

Continuous glucose monitoring in subjects with type 1 diabetes: improvement in accuracy by correcting for background current

BACKGROUND

A cause of suboptimal accuracy in amperometric glucose sensors is the presence of a background current (current produced in the absence of glucose) that is not accounted for. We hypothesized that a mathematical correction for the estimated background current of a commercially available sensor would lead to greater accuracy compared to a situation in which we assumed the background current to be zero. We also tested whether increasing the frequency of sensor calibration would improve sensor accuracy.

METHODS

This report includes analysis of 20 sensor datasets from seven human subjects with type 1 diabetes. Data were divided into a training set for algorithm development and a validation set on which the algorithm was tested. A range of potential background currents was tested.

RESULTS

Use of the background current correction of 4 nA led to a substantial improvement in accuracy (improvement of absolute relative difference or absolute difference of 3.5-5.5 units). An increase in calibration frequency led to a modest accuracy improvement, with an optimum at every 4 h.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to no correction, a correction for the estimated background current of a commercially available glucose sensor led to greater accuracy and better detection of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. The accuracy-optimizing scheme presented here can be implemented in real time.

Polysilicon wire glucose sensor highly immune to interference

This study investigated the interference elimination ability of a glucose sensor made of polysilicon wire (PSW) with a surface modified by 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane mixed with polydimethylsiloxane-treated hydrophobic fumed silica nanoparticles plus ultra-violet illumination (γ-APTES+NPs+UV). Glucose sensing of the PSW sensor in the presence of five common interferences such as ascorbic acid (AA), uric acid (UA), acetaminophen (AP), L-cysteine (Lys), and citric acid (CA) was performed. We found that the disturbance caused by the interferences was low for interference-to-glucose concentration ratios up to 600:1 if the PSW surface is modified with γ-APTES+NPs+UV. The outstanding interference immunity of this PSW glucose sensor is believed to be mainly due to the fact that it is a dry-type sensor and the extremely low leakage of the γ-APTES+NPs membrane which allows the PSW to show three orders of magnitude lower leakage current than with the γ-APTES membrane only. In addition to its excellent interference immunity, the PSW glucose sensor with a line width of 100 nm also exhibits a wide linear detection range, an ultra-high sensitivity, an ultra low detection limit, and it can be reused more than a thousand times without much sensitivity degradation.

Simple electrochemical route to nanofiber junctions and dendrites of conducting polymer

We first report a simple and rapid electrochemical approach to synthesize novel nanofiber junctions and dendrites of conducting poly(o-phenylenediamine) without any surfactant or template. Through controlling some parameters such as the time and potential of electrodeposition and concentration of the reactant, nanofiber junctions and dendrites of conducting polymer can be easily obtained on the solid surface. This research provides a new method to synthesize complicated nanofiber junctions and dendrites on the conducting surface, which may find potential applications in nanodevice and electrochemical sensors.

Mixing aqueous ferric chloride and O-phenylenediamine solutions at room temperature: a fast, economical route to ultralong microfibrils of assemblied O-phenylenediamine dimers

The direct mix of aqueous ferric chloride and o-phenylenediamine (OPD) solutions at room temperature has been demonstrated for the first time to be an effective, economic, and fast method for preparing microfibrils on a large scale. The formation of such large microfibrils is attributed to the self-assembly of the OPD dimers generated by the oxidation of OPD monomers by ferric chloride. It is also interesting that the resulting microfibrils can be broken into shorter ones by a simple sonication process and the final length of the microfibrils obtained can be controlled by varying the sonication time. The influences of both the amount of ferric chloride and the oxidant type on the size and the morphology of the microstructures are also examined.

Multianalyte immunoassay based on insulating-controllable PoPD film at arrayed electrodes integrated on a silicon chip

A novel, simple and label-free multianalyte immunoassay system is presented here by integrating arrayed electrodes on a silicon chip via MEMS. The chip is consisted of six Au disk electrodes, an Au counter electrode and an Ag/AgCl reference electrode. Semi-insulating poly(o-phenylenediamine) (PoPD) was utilized to co-polymerize and immobilize antibodies at the arrayed Au electrodes, and wider linear detection range was obtained than those prepared with completely insulating PoPD. Electrochemical cyclic voltammogram (CV), AC impedance spectroscopy, AFM and fluorescence microscopy were employed to characterize the system. The arrayed electrodes offered exact control of deposition position via electrochemical operation, allowing selectively immobilization of different antibodies at desired positions on a single chip. Specific recognition of antibody (Ab) to corresponding antigen (An) was quantitatively monitored by cyclic voltammograms in the presence of electrochemical redox probe, ferrocene methanol. The proposed immunoassay chips showed sensitive response to three liver fibrosis markers, hyaluronic acid (HA), collagen type IV (IV-C) and lamin (LN) at ng/mL level simultaneously and specifically in a tiny amount of volume, usually 50 microL. The results obtained via chips were well consistent with those obtained by commercial radio immunoassays (RIA).

Carbon-Nanotube-Enhanced Direct Electron-Transfer Reactivity of Hemoglobin Immobilized on Polyurethane Elastomer Film

In this study, we investigate the direct electron-transfer reactivity of immobilized hemoglobin (Hb) on a polyurethane elastomer (PUE) film for biosensor designs. The PUE film synthesized by an additional polymerization possesses good biocompatibility, uniformity, and conformability and is ready for protein immobilization. Electrochemical and spectroscopic measurements show that the presence of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) increased the protein-PUE interaction, varied polymer morphology, improved the permeability and the conductivity of the PUE film, and thus facilitated the direct electron transfer between the immobilized Hb and the conductivity surface through the conducting tunnels of MWNTs. The immobilized Hb maintains its bioactivities and displays an excellent electrochemical behavior with a formal potential of -(334 +/- 7) mV. The addition of NaNO2 leads to an increase of the electrocatalytic reduction current of nitrite at -0.7 V. This allows us to develop a nitrite sensor with a linear response range from 0.08 to 3.6 mM. The proposed method opens a way to develop biosensors by using nanostructured materials mixed with low electrical conductivity matrixes.

Rapid self-assembly of oligo(o-phenylenediamine) into one-dimensional structures through a facile reprecipitation route

The self-assembly of oligo(o-phenylenediamine) (OPD) into 1-D nanostructures on a macroscopic length scale was found when they were transferred from N-methyl pyrrolidone to deionized water. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and confocal fluorescence microscopy were used to investigate the morphology of the precipitates. Results showed that large amounts of OPD 1-D supertructures could be obtained through the simple reprecipitation route, and the length of the fibers could be tuned from microscale to macroscale by adjusting the ratio of two solvents. X-ray diffraction patterns and UV-vis spectra revealed that pi-pi interactions between OPD molecules that facilitated the formation of 1-D structures became predominant when they were transferred from a good solvent to a bad one. Accordingly, a possible formation mechanism was proposed.

Glucose biosensor based on glucose oxidase immobilized in sol-gel chitosan/silica hybrid composite film on Prussian blue modified glass carbon electrode

An improved amperometric glucose biosensor based on glucose oxidase immobilized in sol-gel chitosan/silica hybrid composite film, which was prepared from chitosan (CS) and methyltrimethoxysilane (MTOS), on the surface of Prussian blue (PB)-modified glass carbon electrode was developed. The film was characterized by FT-IR. Effects of some experimental variables such as ratio of CS to silica, buffer pH, temperature, and applied potential on the current response of the biosensor were investigated. The biosensor fabricated under optimal conditions had a linear response to glucose over the range 5.0 x 10(-5) to 2.6 x 10(-2) M with a correlation coefficient of 0.9948 and a detection limit of 8.0 x 10(-6) M based on S/N = 3. The biosensor had a fast response time of less than 10 s, a high sensitivity of 420 nA mM(-1), a long-term stability of over 60 days, and a good selectivity. The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant K(m) was found to be 3.2 x 10(-3) M. The activation energy for enzymatic reaction was calculated to be 21.9 kJ mol(-1). This method has been used to determine the glucose concentration in real human blood samples.

Selective glucose detection based on the concept of electrochemical depletion of electroactive species in diffusion layer

A glucose detection approach based on the concept of electrochemical depletion of electroactive species in diffusion layer was established, using scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). By controlling the glucose oxidase (GOD) modified electrode (substrate electrode) at a proper potential of electrochemical oxidation of interfering electroactive species, i.e., ascorbic acid (AA), an interference-free microcircumstance was formed in the diffusion layer of the substrate electrode. Consequently, we could successfully sense hydrogen peroxide generated from an enzymatic reaction by locating a Pt ultramicroelectrode (UME) (tip electrode, 5 microm in radius) into the diffusion layer of the substrate electrode. Properties of this interference-removing approach based on electrochemical depletion were systematically investigated. Results showed that the interference-removing efficiency was significantly determined by the tip-substrate distance and substrate potential. When the tip-substrate distance was 11 microm (2.2 times of the tip electrode radius) and the substrate potential was 0.5 V, nearly 90% of AA (0.5 mM) could be depleted within 30s without consumption of H2O2. Under these conditions, 0.1 mM AA showed no influence on the detection of 0.5 mM glucose. The linear range of glucose detection is 0.01-1 mM with a detection limit (DL) of 0.005 mM (correlation coefficient is 0.9948). This research will open a new way for developing selective micro-biosensors.

A novel glucose biosensor based on the nanoscaled cobalt phthalocyanine–glucose oxidase biocomposite

We report on the utilization of a novel nanoscaled cobalt phthalocyanine (NanoCoPc)-glucose oxidase (GOD) biocomposite colloid to create a highly responsive glucose biosensor. The biocomposite colloid is constructed under enzyme-friendly conditions by adsorbing GOD molecules on CoPc nanoparticles via electrostatic interactions. The glucose biosensor can be easily achieved by casting the biocomposite colloid on a pyrolytic graphite electrode (PGE) without any auxiliary matter. It has been found that GOD can be firmly immobilized on PGE surface and maintain its bioactivity after conjugating with NanoCoPc. NanoCoPc displays intrinsic electrocatalytic ability to the oxidation of the product of enzymatic reaction H2O2 and shows a higher catalytic activity than that of bulk CoPc. Under optimal conditions, the biosensor shows a wide linear response to glucose in the range of 0.02-18 mM, with a fast response (5s), high sensitivity (7.71 microA cm(-2) mM(-1)), as well as good thermostability and long-term life. The detection limit was 5 microM at 3 sigma. The general interferences coexisted in blood except ascorbic acid and L-cysteine do not affect glucose determination, and further coating Nafion film on the surface of the biosensor can effectively eliminate the interference from ascorbic acid and L-cysteine. The biosensor with Nafion film has been used for the determination of glucose in serum with an acceptable accuracy.

Multilayer assembly of Prussian blue nanoclusters and enzyme-immobilized poly(toluidine blue) films and its application in glucose biosensor construction

A multilayered glucose biosensor via sequential deposition of Prussian blue (PB) nanoclusters and enzyme-immobilized poly(toluidine blue) films was constructed on a bare Au electrode using electrochemical methods. The whole configuration of the present biosensor can be considered as an integration of several independent hydrogen peroxide sensing elements. In each sensing element, the poly(toluidine blue) film functioned as both the supporting matrix for the glucose oxidase immobilization and the inhibitor for the diffusion of interferences, such as ascorbic acid and uric acid. Meanwhile, the deposited Prussian blue nanocluster layers acts as a catalyst for the electrochemical reduction of hydrogen peroxide formed from enzymatic reaction. Performance of the whole multilayer configuration can be tailored by artificially arranging the sensing elements assembled on the electrode. Under optimal conditions, the biosensors exhibit a linear relationship in the range of 1 x 10(-4) to 1 x 10(-2) mol/L with the detection limit down to 10(-5) mol/L. A rapid response for glucose could be achieved in less than 3 s. For 1 mM glucose, 0.5 mM acetaminophen, 0.2 mM uric acid, and 0.1 mM ascorbic acid have no obvious interferences (<5%) for glucose detection at an optimized detection potential. The present multilayered glucose biosensor with a high selectivity and sensitivity is promising for practical applications.

Acetylcholine and choline amperometric enzyme sensors characterized in vitro and in vivo

Acetylcholine (ACh) and choline (Ch) are important neuroactive molecules, yet detection of these substances in vivo presents significant analytical challenges. New multienzyme amperometric biosensors are presented here with measurement of physiologically relevant levels of ACh and Ch in vivo. Poly(m-(1,3)-phenylenediamine) (pmPD) electropolymerized on a platinum iridium wire (Pt) served as a template for immobilization of enzymes. A multienzyme layer containing choline oxidase (ChOx) and ascorbic acid oxidase (AAO) for a Ch sensor or ChOx, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and AAO for a ACh/Ch sensor was immobilized with bovine serum albumin by cross-linking with glutaraldeyhyde. The pmPD enzyme sensors displayed enhanced sensitivity, stability, and selectivity compared to the same multienzyme systems immobilized to solvent cast Nafion and cellulose acetate-modified Pt. Sensor response was linear up to 100 microM ACh or Ch. Detection limits were 0.66 +/- 0.46 microM ACh and 0.33 +/- 0.09 microM Ch, and response times were <1 s. Selectivity for Ch and ACh relative to potential interferences and pharmacological agents commonly used to examine cholinergic physiology was demonstrated. Temperature and pH dependence and the effect of storage conditions on sensor sensitivity and selectivity were determined. Exogenous and endogenous Ch and ACh were measured in the rat brain in vivo.

Adhesion and proliferation of cells on new polymers modified biomaterials

Up to today, several techniques have been used to maintain cells in culture for studying many aspects of cell biology and physiology. More often, cell culture is dependent on proper anchorage of cells to the growth surface. Poly-l-lysine is commonly used as adhesive molecule. In this study, we present, as an alternative to poly-l-lysine, new polymer film substrates, realized by electropolymerization of different monomers on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) surfaces since electropolymerization is a good method to coat selectively metallic or semiconducting electrodes with polymer films. So, the adhesion, proliferation and morphology of rat neuronal cell lines were investigated on polymer treated surfaces. Several amine-based biocompatible polymers were tested: polyethyleneimine (PEI), polypropyleneimine (PPI), polypyrrole (PPy) and poly(p-phenylenediamine) (PPPD). These polymer films were coated on FTO surfaces by electrochemical oxidation. After 8 h in a culture medium, a high percentage of cells was found to be attached to PEI and PPI compared to the other polymers and to the reference surfaces (glass and FTO uncovered). After 24 and 72 h in the culture medium, cells were found to proliferate faster on PEI and PPI than on other polymers and reference surfaces. Consequently, cells have a greater fold expansion on PEI and PPI than on PPPD, PPy or glass and FTO uncoated. From these results, we deduce that PEI and PPI can be useful as coating surface to cultivate neuronal cells.

An amperometric glucose biosensor based on poly(o-aminophenol) and Prussian blue films at platinum electrode

Prussian blue (PB), as a good catalyst for the reduction of hydrogen peroxide, has been combined with nonconducting poly(o-aminophenol) (POAP) film to assemble glucose biosensor. Compared with PB-modified enzymatic biosensor, the biosensor based on glucose oxidase immobilized in POAP film at PB-modified electrode shows much improved stability (78% remains after 30 days) in neutral medium. Additionally, the biosensor, at an applied potential of 0.0 V, exhibits other good characteristics, such as relative low detection limit (0.01 mM), short response time (within 5s), large current density (0.28 mA/cm2), high sensitivity (24 mAM(-1)cm(-2)), and good antiinterferent ability. The apparent activation energy of enzyme-catalyzed reaction and apparent Michaelis-Menten constant are 34.2 KJmol(-1) and 10.5 mM, respectively. In addition, effects of temperature, applied potential used in the determination, pH value of the detection solution, and electroactive interferents on the amperometric response of the sensor were investigated and are discussed.