Development of a disposable amperometric immunosensor for the detection of ecstasy and its analogues using screen-printed electrodes

Progress on the Electrochemical Sensing of Illicit Drugs

Illicit drugs are harmful substances, threatening both health and safety of societies in all corners of the world. Several policies have been developed over time to deal with this illicit drug problem, including supply reduction and harm reduction policies. Both policies require on-site detection tools to succeed, i.e. sensors that can identify illicit drugs in samples at the point-of-care. Electrochemical sensors are highly suited for this task, due to their short analysis times, low cost, high accuracy, portability and orthogonality with current technologies. In this chapter, we evaluate the latest trend in electrochemical sensing of illicit drugs, with a focus on detection of illicit drugs in seizures and body fluids. Furthermore, we will also provide an outlook on the potential of electrochemistry in wearable sensors for this purpose.

Detection of 3,4-Methylene Dioxy Amphetamine in Urine by Magnetically Improved Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Sensing Strategy

Abuse of illicit drugs has become a major issue of global concern. As a synthetic amphetamine analog, 3,4-Methylene Dioxy Amphetamine (MDA) causes serotonergic neurotoxicity, posing a serious risk to human health. In this work, a two-dimensional substrate of ITO/Au is fabricated by transferring Au nanoparticle film onto indium–tin oxide glass (ITO). By magnetic inducing assembly of Fe₃O₄@Au onto ITO/Au, a sandwich-based, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection strategy is designed. Through the use of an external magnet, the MDA is retained in the region of hot spots formed between Fe₃O₄@Au and ITO/Au; as a result, the SERS sensitivity for MDA is superior compared to other methods, lowering the limit of detection (LOD) to 0.0685 ng/mL and attaining a corresponding linear dynamic detection range of 5–10⁵ ng/mL. As an actual application, this magnetically improved SERS sensing strategy is successfully applied to distinguish MDA in urine at trace level, which is beneficial to clinical and forensic monitors.

Recent developments in electrochemical detection of illicit drugs in diverse matrices

Drug abuse is a global problem, requiring an interdisciplinary approach. Discovery, production, trafficking, and consumption of illicit drugs have been constantly growing, leading to heavy consequences for environment, human health, and society in general. Therefore, an urgent need for rapid, sensitive, portable and easy-to-operate detection methods for numerous drugs of interest in diverse matrices, from police samples, biological fluids and hair to sewage water has risen. Electrochemical sensors are promising alternatives to chromatography and spectrometry. Last decades, electrochemical sensing of illegal drugs has experienced a very significant growth, driven by improved transducers and signal amplifiers helping to improve the sensitivity and selectivity. The present review summarizes recent advances (last 10 years) in electrochemical detection of the most prevailing illicit drugs (such as cocaine, heroin, and (meth)amphetamine), their precursors and derivatives in different matrices. Various electrochemical sensors making use of different transducers with their (dis)advantages were discussed, and their sensitivity and applicability were critically compared. In those cases where natural or synthetic recognition elements were included in the sensing system to increase specificity, selected recognition elements, their immobilization, working conditions, and analytical performance were discussed. Finally, an outlook is presented with suggestions and recommendations for future developments.

Screen-Printed Electrodes (SPE) for In Vitro Diagnostic Purpose

Due to rapidly spreading infectious diseases and the high incidence of other diseases such as cancer or metabolic syndrome, there is a continuous need for the development of rapid and accurate diagnosis methods. Screen-printed electrodes-based biosensors have been reported to offer reliable results, with high sensitivity and selectivity and, in some cases, low detection limits. There are a series of materials (carbon, gold, platinum, etc.) used for the manufacturing of working electrodes. Each version comes with advantages, as well as challenges for their functionalization. Thus, the aim is to review the most promising biosensors developed using screen-printed electrodes for the detection/quantification of proteins, biomarkers, or pathogenic microorganisms.

A fluorescent probe for ecstasy

A nanostructure formed by the insertion in silica nanoparticles of a pyrene-derivatized cavitand, which is able to specifically recognize ecstasy in water, is presented. The absence of effects from interferents and an efficient electron transfer process occurring after complexation of ecstasy, makes this system an efficient fluorescent probe for this popular drug.

Affinity-based biosensors in sport medicine and doping control analysis

Affinity-based biosensors (ABBs) have started to be considered in sport medicine and doping control analysis because they are cheap, easy to use and sufficiently selective analytical devices, characterized by a reversible interaction with the analyte under investigation allowing the use of the same sensor for multiple analyses. In this review we describe the main categories of substances reported in the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List and how ABBs may contribute to their detection. Although several ABBs proposed in the last few years display limit of detections that are in principle matching the World Anti-Doping Agency requirements, their application in the framework of 'traditional' antidoping tests seems quite unlikely, mainly because of the still insufficient selectivity especially in the case of 'pseudo-endogenous' compounds, and on the lack of complete information regarding potential matrix effects in real samples and following their routine use. At the same time, ABBs could contribute to fill a significant information gap concerning complementary evidence that can be obtained from their use 'on the spot', as well as to preselect a risk population of individuals to be targeted for a full antidoping test; while in sport medicine they could contribute to obtaining analytical information of physiological relevance from the measurement of specific parameters or markers before, during and after physical exercise.

Biosensors in forensic analysis. A review

Forensic analysis is an important branch of modern Analytical Chemistry with many legal and socially relevant implications. Biosensors can play an important role as efficient tools in this field considering their well known advantages of sensitivity, selectivity, easy functioning, affordability and capability of miniaturization and automation. This article reviews the latest advances in the use of biosensors for forensic analysis. The different methodologies for the transduction of the produced biological events are considered and the applications to forensic toxicological analysis, classified by the nature of the target analytes, as well as those related with chemical and biological weapons critically commented. The article provides several Tables where the more relevant analytical characteristics of the selected reported methods are gathered.

Strategies for electrochemical detection in immunochemistry

In this review, the current status of research in electrochemical immunosensors is considered. We primarily focus on label-free and enzyme-labeled immunosensors, and the analytical capabilities of these devices are discussed. Moreover, the use of magnetic beads as new materials for immunosensors coupled with electrochemical sensing is also described, together with the application of new molecules such as aptamers as specific biorecognition elements. Examples of the applicability of these devices in solving various analytical problems in clinical, environmental and food fields are reported. Finally, the prospects for the further development of immunosensor technologies are shown.

Electrochemical immunochip sensor for aflatoxin M1 detection

An investigation into the fabrication, electrochemical characterization, and development of a microelectrode array (MEA) immunosensor for aflatoxin M(1) is presented in this paper. Gold MEAs (consisting of 35 microsquare electrodes with 20 microm x 20 microm dimensions and edge-to-edge spacing of 200 microm) together with on-chip reference and counter electrodes were fabricated using standard photolithographic methods. The MEAs were then characterized by cyclic voltammetry, and the behavior of the on-chip electrodes were evaluated. The microarray sensors were assessed for their applicability to the development of an immunosensor for the analysis of aflatoxin M(1) directly in milk samples. Following the sensor surface silanization, antibodies were immobilized by cross-linking with 1,4-phenylene diisothiocyanate (PDITC). Surface characterization was conducted by electrochemistry, fluorescence microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). A competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assay format was developed on the microarray electrode surface using the 3,3,5',5'-tetramethylbenzidine dihyrochloride (TMB)/H(2)O(2) electrochemical detection scheme with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) as the enzyme label. The performance of the assay and the microarray sensor were characterized in pure buffer conditions before applying to the milk samples. With the use of this approach, the detection limit for aflatoxin M(1) in milk was estimated to be 8 ng L(-1), with a dynamic detection range of 10-100 ng L(-1), which meets present legislative limits of 50 ng L(-1). The milk interference with the sensor surface was also found to be minimal. These devices show high potential for development of a range of new applications which have previously only been detected using elaborate instrumentation.

Development of an electrochemical immunosensor for aflatoxin M1 in milk with focus on matrix interference

A simple sensor method was developed for aflatoxin M(1) analysis to be applied directly with milk by using antibody modified screen-printed carbon working electrode with carbon counter and silver-silver chloride pseudo-reference electrode. A competitive ELISA assay format was constructed on the surface of the working electrode using 3,3,5',5'-tetramethylbenzidine dihyrochloride (TMB)/H(2)O(2) electrochemical detection scheme with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) as the enzyme label. The performance of the assay and the sensor was optimised and characterised in pure buffer conditions before applying to milk samples. Extensive interference to the electroanalytical signal was observed upon the analysis of milk. Through a series of chemical fractionations of the milk, and testing the electrochemical properties of the fractions, the interference was attributed to whey proteins with focus towards alpha-lactalbumin. A simple pre-treatment technique of incorporating 18 mM calcium chloride, in the form of Dulbucco's PBS, in a 1:1 ratio to the milk sample or standards and also to the washing buffer stabilised the whey proteins in solution and eliminate the interfering signal. The resulting immunosensor was interference free and achieved a limit of detection of 39 ng l(-1) with a linear dynamic detection range up to 1000 ng l(-1). The developed immunosensor method was compared to a commercial ELISA kit and an in-house HPLC method. The immunsensor was comparable, in term of sensitivity, but vastly superior in term of portability and cost therefore a key instrument for the detection of aflatoxin M(1) at the source of the contamination.