A disposable immunosensor for detection of 17β-estradiol in non-extracted bovine serum

Electrochemical biosensors for monitoring of selected pregnancy hormones during the first trimester: A systematic review

The hormones human chorionic gonadotropin, progesterone, estrogen and four of its metabolites (estradiol, estrone, estriol, estetrol), as well as relaxin play an essential role in the development of the fetus during the first trimester. Imbalances in these hormones during the first trimester have been directly linked to miscarriages. However, frequent monitoring of the hormones is limited by the current conventional centralized analytical tools that do not allow a rapid response time. Electrochemical sensing is considered an ideal tool to detect hormones owing to its advantages such as quick response, user-friendliness, low economic costs, and possibility of use in point-of-care settings. Electrochemical detection of pregnancy hormones is an emerging field that has been demonstrated primarily at research level. Thus, it is timely with a comprehensive overview of the characteristics of the reported detection techniques. This is the first extensive review focusing on the advances related to electrochemical detection of hormones linked to the first trimester of pregnancy. Additionally, this review offers insights into the main challenges that must be addressed imminently to ensure progress from research to clinical applications.

ELIME assay vs Real-Time PCR and conventional culture method for an effective detection of Salmonella in fresh leafy green vegetables

The detection of Salmonella according to EC regulation is still primarily based on traditional microbiological culture methods that may take several days to be completed. The purpose of this work is to demonstrate the applicability of an Enzyme-Linked-Immuno-Magnetic-Electrochemical (ELIME) assay, recently developed by our research group for the detection of salmonella in irrigation water, in fresh (raw and ready-to-eat) leafy green vegetables by comparison with Real-Time PCR (RTi-PCR) and ISO culture methods. Since vegetables represent a more complex matrix than irrigation water, preliminary experiments were carried out on two leafy green vegetables that resulted negative for salmonella by the ISO method. 25g of these samples were experimentally inoculated with 1-10 CFU of S. Napoli or S. Thompson and pre-enriched for 20h in two different broths. At this time aliquots were taken, concentrated at different levels by centrifugation, and analyzed by ELIME and RTi-PCR. Once selected the best culture medium for salmonella growth, and the optimal concentration factor suitable to reduce the sample matrix effect, enhancing the out-put signal, several raw and ready-to-eat leafy green vegetables were artificially inoculated and pre-enriched. Aliquots were then taken at different incubation times and analyzed with both techniques. Results obtained showed that 20 and 8h of pre-enrichment were required to allow the target salmonella (1-10 CFU/25g) to multiply until reaching a detectable concentration by ELIME and RTi-PCR assays, respectively. A confirmation with the ISO culture method was carried out. Based on the available literature, this is the first report of the application of an ELISA based method for the detection of Salmonella in vegetables.

Comparison of Electrochemical Immunosensors and Aptasensors for Detection of Small Organic Molecules in Environment, Food Safety, Clinical and Public Security

We review here the most frequently reported targets among the electrochemical immunosensors and aptasensors: antibiotics, bisphenol A, cocaine, ochratoxin A and estradiol. In each case, the immobilization procedures are described as well as the transduction schemes and the limits of detection. It is shown that limits of detections are generally two to three orders of magnitude lower for immunosensors than for aptasensors, due to the highest affinities of antibodies. No significant progresses have been made to improve these affinities, but transduction schemes were improved instead, which lead to a regular improvement of the limit of detections corresponding to ca. five orders of magnitude over these last 10 years. These progresses depend on the target, however.

Toward the development of smart and low cost point-of-care biosensors based on screen printed electrodes

Screen printing technology provides a cheap and easy means to fabricate disposable electrochemical devices in bulk quantities which are used for rapid, low-cost, on-site, real-time and recurrent industrial, pharmaceutical or environmental analyses. Recent developments in micro-fabrication and nano-characterization made it possible to screen print reproducible feature on materials including plastics, ceramics and metals. The processed features forms screen-printed disposable biochip (SPDB) upon the application of suitable bio-chemical recognition receptors following appropriate methods. Adequacy of biological and non-biological materials is the key to successful biochip development. We can further improve recognition ability of SPDBs by adopting new screen printed electrode (SPE) configurations. This review covers screen-printing theory with special emphasis on the technical impacts of SPE architectures, surface treatments, operational stability and signal sensitivity. The application of SPE in different areas has also been summarized. The article aims to highlight the state-of-the-art of SPDB at the laboratory scale to enable us in envisaging the deployment of emerging SPDB technology on the commercial scale.

3-Mercaptopropionic Acid Capped Ga2Se3nanocrystal-CYP3A4 Biosensor for the Determination of 17-Alpha-Ethinyl Estradiol in Water

Water soluble and biocompatible 3-mercaptopropionic acid capped gallium selenide nanocrystals, were synthesized from hydrated gallium (III) perchlorate and selenide ions. The 3-mercaptopropionic acid capped gallium selenide nanocrystals, was non-fluorescent but showed a sharp UV-vis absorption maximum at 250 nm.The synthesized nanoparticle was used to develop an electrochemical biosensor for the detection of 17-alpha-ethinyl estradiol, an estrogenic endocrine disrupting compound (e-EDC). The biosensor was fabricated by potentiostatic deposition of novel gallium selenide nanocrystals on a L-cystine modified gold electrode, followed by covalent coupling of genetically engineered cytochrome P450-3A4 (CYP3A4), a Heme containing enzyme. The biosensor gave an electrochemical response at about-220 mV. The results revealed that 3-Mecarptopropanoic acid capped Gallium Selenide nanocrystals can be used in conjunction with CYP3A4 as an electrode modifier for the detection of 17-alpha ethinyl estradiol. The 3-Mecarptopropanoic acid capped Gallium Selenide nanoparticles exhibited a semiconductor like behaviour.

Preparation of screen-printed electrochemical immunosensors for estradiol, and their application in biological fluids

The method of fabrication of a prototype electrochemical immunosensor for estradiol (E2) is described. Methodologies are also given for colorimetric assays, which can be used to verify and optimize reagent performance, prior to their use in the electrochemical immunoassay: these include an E2 ELISA and a colorimetric assay performed on the immunosensor surface. The electrochemical immunosensor system uses screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) upon which antibody against E2 is immobilized. Antibodies (rabbit anti-mouse IgG, then monoclonal mouse anti-E2) are immobilized by passive adsorption onto the working electrode surface. A competitive immunoassay is then performed using an alkaline-phosphatase-labeled E2 conjugate. Electrochemical measurements are performed using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) to detect the production of 1-naphthol from 1-naphthyl phosphate. The calibration plot of DPV peak current vs. E2 concentration shows a measurable range of 25-500 pg/mL with a detection limit of 50 pg/mL. The immunosensor can be applied to the determination of E2 in spiked serum, following an extraction step with diethyl ether.

Gold immuno-functionalisation via self-assembled monolayers: study of critical parameters and comparative performance for protein and bacteria detection

Surface functionalisation is of extreme importance in assay and biosensor development because it ensures the selective capture and detection of the targets of interest. In the present report, we compare the performance of several gold functionalisation strategies/chemistries, based on SAM self-assembly and Ab conjugation, for protein and bacteria detection. The first part of the work summarises the optimisation of the various protocols considered. Their efficiency was initially evaluated in terms of reduction of biomolecule non-specific adsorption and specific detection competence impairment, using as a model-target an enzyme-labelled protein. With this purpose, the effect of several parameters, such as thiomolecule length and concentration, self-assembly time and temperature, polymer incorporation, or Ab conjugation strategy was determined. The three best performing strategies consisted of antibody (Ab) conjugation to self-assembled monolayers (SAM) containing mercaptoundecanoic acid alone, or conjugated to either long-chain hydrophilic diamines or CM-dextran. In the three cases, results demonstrated that Abs had been successfully incorporated and remained functional for protein detection. Nevertheless, as showed in the second part of the work, we demonstrate for the first time that these chemistries can be inadequate for bacteria detection. The possible reasons and implications will be discussed. Ab physisorption is proposed as a cost-effective gold immuno-functionalisation strategy alternative to SAM-based Ab incorporation for bacteria detection.

Fabrication of disposable sensors for biomolecule detection using hydrazine electrocatalyst

We have developed electrochemical DNA and protein sensors on screen-printed electrodes based on the catalytic activity of hydrazine. The sensors use carboxylic acid-functionalized conductive polymer, poly-5,2',5',2''-terthiophene-3'-carboxylic acid (polyTTCA) to make firm immobilization of dendrimer (DEN) through the covalent bond formation between the carboxylic acid groups of polymer and amine groups of dendrimer. The gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were adsorbed on the remaining amine groups of dendrimer. The thiolated DNA probe or primary antibody was subsequently immobilized on the AuNP-covered dendrimer surfaces. Avidin-labeled hydrazine (Av-Hyd) was then immobilized on the sensor surfaces through the avidin-biotin interaction between the Av-Hyd unit and the biotinylated DNA or secondary antibody. The electrocatalytic reduction current of H(2)O(2) was measured by differential pulse voltammetry. The detection signal was amplified by the polyTTCA/DEN assembly loaded with AuNPs (approximately 3.5 nm) onto which target analyte-linked Av-Hyd was adsorbed. Linear dynamic ranges for the electrocatalytic detection of DNA and human immunoglobulin G (IgG) extending from 50 fM to 7.5 nM and from 40 fg/ml to 2.5 ng/ml, respectively, were observed along with detection limits of approximately 30 fM and 25 fg/ml, respectively. The low detection limit of the disposable sensors offers good promise for practical DNA and protein detection.

Electrochemical biochips for protein analysis

Proteins bear important functions for most life processes. It is estimated that the human proteome comprises more than 250,000 proteins. Over the last years, highly sophisticated and powerful instruments have been developed that allow their detection and characterization with great precision and sensitivity. However, these instruments need well-equipped laboratories and a well-trained staff. For the determination of proteins in a hospital, in a doctor's office, or at home, low-budget protein analysis methods are needed that are easy to perform. In addition, for a proteomic approach, highly parallel measurements with small sample sizes are required. Biochips are considered as promising tools for such applications. The following chapter describes electrochemical biochips for protein analysis that use antibodies or aptamers as recognition elements.

Self-assembled monolayers as a base for immunofunctionalisation: unequal performance for protein and bacteria detection

Biosensor development strongly depends on the optimisation of surface functionalisation strategies. When gold surfaces are considered, immunofunctionalisation by modification of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) is one of the preferred approaches. In this respect, SAM-based antibody (Ab) incorporation has shown better performance than Ab physisorption for the detection of proteins and small targets. Reports on bacteria detection are less frequent. In this work, we assess the performance of various SAM-based gold immunofunctionalisation strategies, currently applied to protein detection, in the field of bacteria determination. We present the results for Ab chemical conjugation on mercaptopropanoic acid and mercaptoundecanoic acid SAMs, as well as on a dextranized cysteamine SAM. All the modified surfaces studied were shown to be appropriate for the direct detection of an enzyme-labelled protein, but none succeeded in detecting a bacterial target in a sandwich assay format. Conversely, gold functionalised by Ab physisorption allowed E. coli detection when a sandwich enzyme-linked assay was carried out. The implications of bacteria size and wall complexity are discussed. These results indicate that immunofunctionalisation strategies appropriate for protein detection are not necessarily transferable to work with more complex targets such as bacteria. In this respect, Ab physisorption appears to be a suitable alternative to SAM-based gold functionalisation for bacteria detection.