Determination of biogenic amines by capillary electrophoresis using a chameleon type of fluorescent stain

Smartphone-based paper strip assay for putrescine and spermidine detection using hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite with Eu3+ complex

A new method utilizing fluorescent ratiometry is proposed for detecting putrescine and spermidine. The method involves the use of a fluorescent probe comprising a 2D halide perovskite synthesized from octadecylamine-iodine and PbI2via a grinding-sonicating technique, along with a Eu3+-complex. Upon excitation at 290 nm, the probe fluoresces at two distinguishable wavelengths. The addition of putrescine and spermidine significantly decreases the emission of the 2D halide perovskite at 496 nm, while the emission of the Eu3+-complex at 618 nm remains stable. The color changes of the probe depend on the concentration of putrescine and spermidine, and the assay offers linearity over a wide concentration range (30-4000 ng mL-1), a low detection limit (4 ng mL-1 for putrescine, and 7 ng mL-1 for spermidine), and a quick response time. Furthermore, a portable device based on a smartphone can be used to record the color change of the paper test strip using the prepared fluorescent materials. The fluorescence quenching mechanism of the probe is explained as dynamic quenching.

Supramolecular fluorescent probe based on acyclic cucurbituril for detection of cancer Labels in human urine

Spermine (Spm) and spermidine (Spmd) are considered as potential biomarker for early diagnosis of human cancer. Herein, a novel acyclic cucurbituril derivative (UL-ACB) was firstly designed and synthesized, which fluoresces at 460 nm after excitation at 365 nm. UL-ACB is rich in oxygen atoms which are capable of forming coordinate bonds with copper (Cu²⁺) that cause quenching of UL-ACB fluorescence. Moreover, the addition of biological endogenous substances Spm and Spmd can turn on fluorescence of UL-ACB. Interestingly, the probe showed a remarkable detection efficiency for Spm and Spmd in human urine (the detection limits of Spm and Spmd were 0.156 μM and 0.762 μM, and the linear ranges are 0.156 ∼ 43.06 μM and 0.762 ∼ 29.10 μM), which completely covered the early diagnosis of urinary Spm (1 ∼ 10 μM) and urine Spmd (1 ∼ 20 μM) required concentration range in cancer patients. The probe for Spm and Spmd is simple, time-saving and selective, which may provide a new promising strategy for early cancer diagnosis.

Recent advances in development of electrochemical biosensors for the detection of biogenic amines

Biogenic amines (BAs) are widely found in food as a consequence of diverse factors including free amino acid availability, microbial production of decarboxylases, and variations in processing and storage conditions. Hence, BAs are considered as an important marker for determining the freshness and quality of food. Owing to the documentation of BAs in different dietary products, their numerous negative impacts on human health have reported to be a serious concern in past few decades. Therefore, the quantification of these chemical species in food becomes crucial as it can immensely contributes toward control of new episodes on food intoxication in humans. In this line, various chromatographic and colorimetric methods have been developed to detect BAs. However, these methods are in use from a longer time, still are limited by high cost, lengthy procedures, huge infrastructure and skilled personnel requirements that hinder their on-field application. In pursuit of a reliable method offering accurate detection of BAs, this review presents the state-of-the-art of electrochemical strategies for BAs sensing in food. The core of the review discusses about the widely employed electrochemical transducers, such as amperometric, potentiometric, impedimetric and conductometric-based BAs biosensors with significant findings of research work conducted previously. The application of electrochemical sensors to analyze BAs in different fields including food systems (fermented and non-fermented types) and smart packaging systems has been reviewed. Moreover, existing challenges and further available prospects for the development of rapid, facile, and sensitive electrochemical strategies for on-site determination of BAs have also been discussed.

Fluorescent chameleon labels for bioconjugation and imaging of proteins, nucleic acids, biogenic amines and surface amino groups. a review

Chameleon labels (ChLs) possess the unique property of changing (visible) color and fluorescence on binding to amino groups of biomolecules. MostChLs react with primary aliphatic amino groups such as those in lysine or with amino groups artificially introduced into polynucleic acids or saccharides, but someothers also react with secondary amino groups. Under controlled circumstances, the reactions are fairly specific. The review is subdivided into the following sections: (1) An introduction and classification of fluorescent labels; (2) pyrylium labels that undergo shortwave color changes upon labelling, typically from blue to red; (3) polymethine type of labels (that also undergo shortwave color changes, typically from green to blue; (4) various other (less common) chromogenic and fluorogenic systems; (5) hemicyanine labels that undergolongwavecolor changes, typically from yellow to purple; (6) the application of ChLs to labeling of proteins and oligonucleotides; (7) applications to fluorometric assays and sensing; (8) applications to fluorescence imaging of biomolecules; (9) applications in studies on affinity interactions (receptor-ligand binding); (10) applications in surface and interface chemistry; and (11) applications in chromatography, electrophoresis and isotachophoresis of biomolecules.

Providing Multicolor Plasmonic Patterns with Au@Ag Core-Shell Nanostructures for Visual Discrimination of Biogenic Amines

Biogenic amines (BAs) are known as substantial indicators of the quality and safety of food. Developing rapid and visual detection methods capable of simultaneously monitoring BAs is highly desired due to their harmful effects on human health. In the present study, we have designed a multicolor sensor array consisting of two types of gold nanostructures (i.e., gold nanorods (AuNRs) and gold nanospheres (AuNSs)) for the discrimination and determination of critical BAs (i.e., spermine (SM), tryptamine (TT), ethylenediamine (EA), tyramine (TR), spermidine (SD), and histamine (HT)). The design principle of the probe was based on the metallization of silver ions on the surface of AuNRs and AuNSs in the presence of BAs, forming Au@Ag core-shell nanoparticles. Changes in the surface composition, size, and aspect ratio of AuNSs and AuNRs induced a blue shift in the plasmonic band, which was accompanied by sharp and rainbowlike color variations in the solution. The collected data were visually assessed and statistically analyzed by various data visualization and pattern recognition methods. Namely, linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and partial least squares (PLS) regression were employed for the qualitative and quantitative determination of BAs. The responses were linearly correlated to the concentrations of BAs in a wide range of 10-800, 20-800, 40-800, 40-800, 60-800, and 80-800 μmol L^-1 with the limit of detections of 2.46, 4.79, 8.58, 14.26, 10.03, and 27.29 μmol L^-1 for SD, SM, TT, HT, EA, and TR, respectively. Finally, the practical applicability of the sensor array was investigated by the determination of BAs in meat and fish samples by which the potential of the probe for on-site determination of food freshness/spoilage was successfully verified.

Highly selective and sensitive colorimetric/fluorometric dual mode detection of relevant biogenic amines

Biogenic amines are involved in physiological roles in living organisms, but their excessive production or intake can induce undesired toxicological effects. As biogenic amines can be found in the process of food spoilage, they are considered an indicator of food quality and freshness, and their detection is of crucial importance in food safety. In this contribution, we report the fast and direct colorimetric and fluorometric sensing of biogenic amines by means of a dinuclear Zn(ii) Schiff-base complex. The selective and sensitive detection involves the formation of stable adducts between the dinuclear complex, acting as the Lewis acidic molecular tweezer, and biogenic di- or polyamines. The selectivity towards biogenic amines, even in the presence of common aliphatic, primary, secondary, or tertiary monoamines, heterocyclic amines, and amino acids, is demonstrated by competitive experiments. The quantitation of histamine in a fish matrix is easily achieved using a standard extraction procedure followed by simple colorimetric or fluorometric measurements.

Silver Nanoparticles for a Colorimetric Determination of Putrescine and Cadaverine in Biological Samples

A convenient and uncomplicated scheme has been projected for the quantitative determination of essential diamines putrescine (PUT) and cadaverine (CAD) via sodium dodecyl sulfate protected silver nanoparticles (SDS-AgNPs). This scheme is based on the chemical interaction of a SDS-AgNPs probe with PUT and CAD, leading to a color change from yellow to red or reddish brown. The interaction was investigated through different techniques such as using a UV-visible spectrophotometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), dynamic light scattering spectroscopy (DLS) and the zeta potential. Both amines possess a close resemblance in structure (except for the addition of one more methylene group in CAD), and no any distinguishable color change was noted. However, the maximum absorption band at 580 and 600 nm was demonstrated for PUT and CAD correspondingly. The methodical response was observed at absorption ratios of 580/410 and 600/410 nm, with the linear regression within 4 - 12 and 6 - 14 μg/mL for PUT and CAD. The detection limits calculated for both the diamines PUT and CAD were 0.333 and 1.638 μg/mL. The scheme was successfully applied for determinations in biological samples, including spiked blood plasma and urine. Putrescine exhibited % recovery within 95.717 - 105.200%, while cadaverine was within 95.940 - 105.109%, respectively. The scheme was reproducible and precise with inter-day RSD (n = 5) within 1.126, 0.018% and the intraday RSD (n = 5) was within 0.005, 0.002% for PUT and CAD, respectively.

Ionic-liquid doped polymeric composite as passive colorimetric sensor for meat freshness as a use case

A composite membrane containing 1,2-naphthoquinone-4-sulfonic acid sodium salt (NQS) embedded in an ionic liquid (IL)- polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)- tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS)- SiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) polymeric matrix is proposed. The selected IL was 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (OMIM PF6). It is demonstrated that ILs chemical additives of PDMS influenced the sol-gel porosity. The sensor analytical performance for ammonia atmospheres has been tested as a function of sampling time (between 0.5 and 312 h), temperature (25 °C and 4 °C) and sampling volume (between 2L and 22 mL) by means of diffuse reflectance measurements and sensor photos, which can be registered and saved as images by a smartphone, which permit RGB measurements too. Flexible calibration was possible, adapting it to the sampling time, temperature and sampling volume needed for its application. Calibration linear slopes (mA vs ppmv) between 1.7 and 467 ppmv^-1 were obtained for ammonia in function of the several studied conditions. Those slopes were between 48 and 91% higher than those achieved with sensors without ILs. The practical application of this sensing device was demonstrated for the analysis of meat packaging environments, being a potential cost-effective candidate for in situ meat freshness analysis. NQS provided selectivity in reference to other family compounds emitted from meat products, such as sulphides. After 10 days at 4 °C ammonia liberated by the assayed meat was 20 ± 4 μg/kg and 18 ± 3 μg/kg, quantified by using diffuse reflectance and %R measurements, respectively. Homogeneity of the ammonia atmosphere was tested by using two sensors placed in two different positions inside the packages.

Colorimetric sensing towards spermine based on supramolecular pillar[5]arene reduced and stabilized gold nanoparticles

We develop a novel and fast colorimetric sensing platform for spermine (Sp) by using macrocyclic host hydroxyl pillar[5]arene (P5) molecule reduced and stabilized Au nanoparticles via the supramolecular host-guest recognition interaction between P5 and Sp. The P5-modified Au nanoparticles (P5-Au) are easily obtained by redox reaction between hydroxyl groups in P5 and Au³⁺ in HAuCl₄, where hydroxyl groups are oxidized to carboxyl groups and Au³⁺ is reduced to Au⁰⁺ under alkali catalysis at room temperature without NaBH₄ or other reducing agent. A uniform diameter of about 5.0 nm and wine red color P5-Au nanoparticles can be synthesized by this green and rapid method. The mechanism of redox reaction between P5 and HAuCl₄ is studied by the XPS and ¹³C NMR, and the P5-Au is characterized by the TEM, XRD and XPS.

Zinc(II) salphen complex-based fluorescence optical sensor for biogenic amine detection

Biogenic amines have attracted interest among researchers because of their importance as biomarkers in determining the quality of food freshness in the food industry. A rapid and simple technique that is able to detect biogenic amines is needed. In this work, a new optical sensing material for one of the biogenic amines, histamine, based on a new zinc(II) salphen complex was developed. The binding of zinc(II) complexes without an electron-withdrawing group (complex 1) and with electron-withdrawing groups (F, complex 2; Cl, complex 3) to histamine resulted in enhancement of fluorescence. All complexes exhibited high affinity for histamine [binding constant of (7.14 ± 0.80) × 10⁴, (3.33 ± 0.03) × 10⁵, and (2.35 ± 0.14) × 10⁵ M^-1, respectively]. Complex 2 was chosen as the sensing material for further development of an optical sensor for biogenic amines in the following step since it displayed enhanced optical properties in comparison with complexes 1 and 3. The optical sensor for biogenic amines used silica microparticles as the immobilisation support and histamine as the analyte. The optical sensor had a limit of detection for histamine of 4.4 × 10^-12 M, with a linear working range between 1.0 × 10^-11 and 1.0 × 10^-6 M (R² = 0.9844). The sensor showed good reproducibility, with a low relative standard deviation (5.5 %). In addition, the sensor exhibited good selectivity towards histamine and cadaverine over other amines, such as 1,2-phenylenediamine, triethylamine, and trimethylamine. Recovery and real sample studies suggested that complex 2 could be a promising biogenic amine optical sensing material that can be applied in the food industry, especially in controlling the safety of food for it to remain fresh and healthy for consumption.

Amphiphilic CdTe Quantum Dots@Layered Double Hydroxides/Arachidate Nanocomposite Langmuir-Blodgett Ultrathin Films: Its Assembly and Response Mechanism as VOC Fluorescence Sensors

Amphiphilic biomembrane structures determine significant biological functions and are extensively used as structure models to learn from and study nature. Many biomimetic amphiphilic membranes have been established to connect natural and artificial substances. In this paper, taking advantage of the intercalation and assembly properties of the layered double hydroxides (LDHs), the amphiphilic LDHs/arachidic acid (AA) nanocomposite Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) ultrathin films (UTFs) were fabricated by the LB technology. The CdTe quantum dots (QDs) were incorporated into the LB monolayers via a layer-by-layer (LbL) method based on the electrostatic interaction between LDHs and CdTe QDs. The amphiphilic (CdTe QDs@LDHs/AA) _n nanocomposite LB UTFs were composed of CdTe QDs@LDHs hydrophilic segments and hydrophobic layers formed by the long alkyl chain of AA. Because of the spacing effect of amphiphilic AA, the fluorescence intensity of CdTe QDs was enhanced about 10-fold, and the fluorescence lifetimes (38.96 ns vs 17.63 ns) and quantum yield (QY %) (17.56 vs 5.96) have been improved compared to that of the counterpart by the LbL method. The fluorescence intensity of CdTe QDs increased by about fivefolds in the presence of LDHs compared with the counterpart without LDHs, which can be attributed to the two-dimensional confinement effect of LDHs. The amphiphilic nanocomposite LB UTFs were used to detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with various polarities. The amphiphilic nanocomposite LB UTFs exhibited two kinds of fluorescence response to VOCs: irreversible fluorescence quenching for amine VOCs with strong polarity and reversible fluorescence enhancement for non-amine VOCs. The fluorescence response mechanism was investigated and can be attributed to the amphiphilic structure of the LB UTFs and the selective adsorption of different VOC molecules. Therefore, this fluorescence quenching/enhancement dual-model response of amphiphilic nanocomposite LB UTFs can be applied into the selective detection of VOCs.

Analyte-directed formation of emissive excimers for the selective detection of polyamines

A convenient and selective method for the sensing of polyamines, which are important biomarkers for cancers, has been developed. The fluorescence light-up mechanism utilizes the analyte-induced formation of emissive excimers of a sulfonated probe. Detection is achieved in aqueous media and artificial urine samples, as indicated by an excellent fluorescence turn-on signal with a large spectral shift.

Gold Nanoparticles as a Direct and Rapid Sensor for Sensitive Analytical Detection of Biogenic Amines

A new optical sensor was developed for rapid screening with high sensitivity for the existence of biogenic amines (BAs) in poultry meat samples. Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) with particle size 11-19 nm function as a fast and sensitive biosensor for detection of histamine resulting from bacterial decarboxylation of histidine as a spoilage marker for stored poultry meat. Upon reaction with histamine, the red color of the GNPs converted into deep blue. The appearance of blue color favorably coincides with the concentration of BAs that can induce symptoms of poisoning. This biosensor enables a semi-quantitative detection of analyte in real samples by eye-vision. Quality evaluation is carried out by measuring histamine and histidine using different analytical techniques such as UV-vis, FTIR, and fluorescence spectroscopy as well as TEM. A rapid quantitative readout of samples by UV-vis and fluorescence methods with standard instrumentation were proposed in a short time unlike chromatographic and electrophoretic methods. Sensitivity and limit of detection (LOD) of 6.59 × 10-4 and 0.6 μM, respectively, are determined for histamine as a spoilage marker with a correlation coefficient (R 2) of 0.993.

Functional electrospun nanofibers for multimodal sensitive detection of biogenic amines in food via a simple dipstick assay

Electrospun nanofibers (ENFs) are promising materials for rapid diagnostic tests like lateral flow assays and dipsticks because they offer an immense surface area while excluding minimal volume, a variety of functional surface groups, and can entrap functional additives within their interior. Here, we show that ENFs on sample pads are superior in comparison to standard polymer membranes for the optical detection of biogenic amines (BAs) in food using a dipstick format. Specifically, cellulose acetate (CA) fibers doped with 2 mg/mL of the chromogenic and fluorogenic amine-reactive chameleon dye Py-1 were electrospun into uniform anionic mats. Those extract cationic BAs from real samples and Py-1 transduces BA concentrations into a change of color, reflectance, and fluorescence. Dropping a BA sample onto the nanofiber mat converts the weakly fluorescent pyrylium dye Py-1 into a strongly red emitting pyridinium dye. For the first time, a simple UV lamp excites fluorescence and a digital camera acts as detector. The intensity ratio of the red to the blue channel of the digital image is dependent on the concentration of most relevant BAs indicating food spoilage from 10 to 250 μM. This matches the permitted limits for BAs in foods and no false positive signals arise from secondary and tertiary amines. BA detection in seafood samples was also demonstrated successfully. The nanofiber mat dipsticks were up to sixfold more sensitive than those using a polymer membrane with the same dye embedded. Hence, nanofiber-based tests are not only superior to polymer-based dipstick assays, but will also improve the performance of established tests related to food safety, medical diagnostics, and environmental testing. Graphical Absract ᅟ.

Validation of a Fluorescence Sensor Microtiterplate for Biogenic Amines in Meat and Cheese

An optical sensor microtiterplate for quantitative analysis of the total content of biogenic amines (TAC) in meat and cheese was developed and validated for the first time. In the plate, a chameleon dye (Py-1) is embedded in a polymeric cocktail which is deposited on the bottom of the wells in a common microtiterplate. On reaction with biogenic amines (BAs), the fluorescence of Py-1 at 620 nm rapidly delivers a precise TAC. After 10 min incubation at 25 °C the determination of the TAC in various (real) samples is possible in high-throughput with a standard microplate reader. The optimized fluorescence method was validated for linearity, sensitivity, accuracy, precision (intraday and inter day repeatability) and recovery using histamine (HIS) as a representative BA. The sensor microtiterplate was successfully applied to quantitatively analyze the TAC in 10 real samples of cheese and meat obtained from various Egyptian markets. The TAC of these real samples obtained by the sensor microtiterplate was validated against the contents of BAs obtained by GC-MS at various times of storage. The data of the sensor microtiterplate agreed well with those of GC-MS. This demonstrates that the sensor microtiterplate is a reliable screening tool for the degradation status of food samples.

Spermine detection via metal-mediated ethynylarene 'turn-on' fluorescence signaling

A dicarboxylated ethynylarene was shown to behave as a fluorescent chemosensor for millimolar concentrations of polyamines when mixed with Cd(II), Pb(II) or Zn(II) ions at micromolar concentrations. A bathochromic shift and intensification of fluorescence emission was observed with increasing amounts of metal ion in the presence of aqueous polyamines buffered at pH = 7.6. Such perturbations manifested as 'turn-on' signals from a ratiometric comparison of emission intensities at 390 nm versus 340 nm. Using Pb(II) as the metal mediator, spermine was selectively detected as a 40-fold signal enhancement relative to spermidine, putrescine, cadaverine and several other non-biogenic diamines. Evaluation of additional triamine and tetraamine analytes showed the influence that amine group quantity and spacing had on signal generation. By increasing the ratio of Pb(II) relative to ethynylarene, the detection limit for spermine was successfully lowered to a 25 micromolar level. Noncovalent association between ethynylarene, metal ion and polyamine are believed to promote the observed spectroscopic changes. This study exploits the subtle impact that polyamine structural identity has on transition metal chelation to define a new approach towards polyamine chemosensor development.

Sensitive and selective plasmonic assay for spermine as biomarker in human urine

A simple, fast, and highly selective and sensitive colorimetric assay to detect nanomolar levels of spermine in human urine (healthy donors, cancer patients) is reported. This assay is based on the absence of a competitive organic capping on the gold nanoparticles together with the high affinity of the amine groups of the analyte for the nanoparticle surface.

High-throughput sensing microtiter plate for determination of biogenic amines in seafood using fluorescence or eye-vision

A new optical sensing microplate was developed for rapid screening for the presence of biogenic amines (BAs) in seafood samples with high sensitivity. The deposition of a sensing spot (containing a chameleon dye (Py-1) in a polymeric cocktail) on the bottom of the wells of a standard microplate renders the plate a new sensing tool for a rapid and parallel detection of up to 96 (real) samples. This sensing microplate enables (1) a semi-quantitative readout of analyte concentration by eye-vision, (2) a rapid fluorescence readout of 96 samples with standard instrumentation in less than two minutes (unlike chromatographic and electrophoretic methods), (3) a statistically robust data evaluation (with 8-12 replicates) and (4) a rapid parallel sample preparation with standard 8 or 12-channel micropipettes. On reaction with biogenic amines, the dye shows a significant visible color change from blue over green to red color. The appearance of red color favorably coincides with the concentration of BAs that can induce symptoms of poisoning. The linear ranges of fluorescence calibration data for six biogenic amines cover the clinical toxicological relevant range of BAs that is too low to be detected by the human nose. The LODs range from 0.16 to 0.56 μg mL(-1), with correlation coefficients (r(2)) between 0.985 and 0.999. Finally, the evolution of spoilage of four fish samples (monitored by determination of their BA status) and the increase of their total amine content were found to agree well with previous data on time-dependent evolution of BAs in fish.

A molecular probe for the optical detection of biogenic amines

A coumarin derivative was employed for the detection of biogenic amines in buffered aqueous solution by UV-Vis or fluorescence spectroscopy. Incorporated in a polymeric matrix, the dye can also be used for the optical detection of gaseous amines.

Long-wavelength absorbing and fluorescent chameleon labels for proteins, peptides, and amines

Long-wavelength absorbing labels that change their color and fluorescence upon conjugation to proteins and other biomolecules provide two critical advantages over the wealth of conventional amine-reactive labels. At first, the progress of the labeling reaction can be monitored continuously either visually or by spectrometry without prior purification. Then, the labeled biomolecule can be investigated with red or near-infrared light, which minimizes background interference in biological samples. These unique characteristics are met by a group of long-wavelength absorbing cyanine dyes carrying a reactive chloro substituent for nucleophilic substitution with primary amines, which is accompanied by a color change from green to blue. In addition to this so-called chameleon effect, the dyes display an increase in fluorescence during the labeling reaction. Despite their structural similarity, the reactivity of the dyes differs strongly. The fastest labeling kinetics is observed with dye S 0378 as its five-membered ring affords a stabilizing effect on the intermediate carbocation during an S(N)1-type of nucleophilic substitution. The reaction mechanism of the amine-reactive cyanine dyes provides a blueprint for the design of future long-wavelength absorbing chameleon dyes.