Competitive redox reaction of Au-NCs/MnO2 nanocomposite: Toward colorimetric and fluorometric detection of acid phosphatase as an indicator of soil cadmium contamination

Development of a fluorometric and colorimetric dual-mode sensing platform for acid phosphatase assay based on Fe3+ functionalized CuInS2/ZnS quantum dots

BACKGROUND

The spectral dual-mode response towards analyte has been attracted much attention, benefiting from the higher detection accuracy of such strategy in comparison to single signal readout. However, the currently reported dual-mode sensors for acid phosphatase (ACP) activity are still limited, and most of them more or less exist some deficiencies, such as complicated construction procedure, high-cost, poor biocompatibility, aggregation-caused quenching and limited emission capacity.

RESULTS

Herein, we employed Fe3+ functionalized CuInS2/ZnS quantum dots (CIS/ZnS QDs) as nanosensor to develop a novel fluorometric and colorimetric dual-mode assay for ACP activity, combing with ACP-triggered hydrolysis of ascorbic acid 2-phosphate (AAP) into ascorbic acid (AA). The Fe3+ binding to CIS/ZnS QDs can be reduced into Fe2+ during the determination, resulting in the dramatically weakened photoinduced electron transfer (PET) effect and the disappearance of competition absorption. Thus, a highly sensitive ACP assay in the range of 0.22-12.5 U L-1 through fluorescence "turn-on" mode has been achieved with a detection of limit (LOD) of 0.064 U L-1. Meanwhile, the ACP activity can also be quantified by spectrophotometry based on the chromogenic reaction of the formed Fe2+ with 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen). Moreover, the designed nanosensor with good biocompatibility was successfully applied to image and monitor the ACP levels in living cells.

SIGNIFICANCE

We believe that the proposed method has remarkable advantages and potential application for ACP assay in terms of the high accuracy, simplicity, low cost, as well as its adequate sensitivity.

Effects of microbial organic fertilizer (MOF) application on cadmium uptake of rice in acidic paddy soil: Regulation of the iron oxides driven by the soil microorganisms

Rice often accumulates higher Cd from contaminated soils, thereby endangering human health. In this study, microbial organic fertilizer (MOF) was applied at the rate of 3, 4.5, and 7.5 t·MOF·ha^-1, respectively, to passivate Cd in polluted soils. The goals of the field experiments were to understand how MOF reduces the uptake of Cd in rice by affecting the mobility and bioavailability of Cd in the rhizosphere soil. BCR sequential extraction analysis recorded that the addition of MOF decreased the content of available Cd and increased Cd residual fraction in soils. Compared with the control treatment, the application of 7.5 t·MOF·ha^-1 significantly increased the yield of rice by 7.9% and decreased the Cd content in brown rice by 86.4%. The application of MOF strengthened the oxidation of iron by increasing the relative abundance of Fe-oxidizing bacteria (FeOB) Thiobacillus, and further increased the ratio of amorphous/dissociative iron oxides (Feo/Fed) and thickened the iron plaques on the root surface of rice. The spatial distribution of Cd and Fe on rice root indicated the key role of iron plaques in preventing Cd from entering rice. The structural equation model confirmed that MOF application regulated iron oxides by FeOB, dehydrogenase activity, and catalase activity, thereby reducing the Cd uptake of rice.

Cascade amplification strategy combined with analyte-triggered fluorescence switching of dual-quenching system for highly sensitive detection of isoniazide

A sensitive fluorescence sensing platform consisting of manganese dioxide nanosheets (MnO₂) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as dual nanoquenchers has been constructed to detect isoniazid combined with analyte-triggered cascade reactions. The fluorescence of 2,3-diaminophenazine (DAP) is quenched simultaneously by MnO₂ and AuNPs via inner filter effect. MnO₂ is decomposed by isoniazid to generate Mn²⁺, which makes AuNPs aggregated. The quenching abilities of both the decomposed MnO₂ and aggregated AuNPs are inhibited, causing remarkable fluorescence recovery. The usage of dual nanoquenchers enhances the quenching efficiency and reduces the fluorescence background. Moreover, the isoniazid-triggered cascade reaction further amplifies the readout signal. Thus, this strategy exhibits higher sensitivity towards the detection of isoniazid. Compared with MnO₂-based fluorescence assay, this strategy possesses lower limit of detection. This strategy has been successfully used to detect isoniazid in pharmaceutical preparations, which is of great significance for drug analysis.

Green- and Red-Emitting Fluorescent Silicon Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Mechanism, and Acid Phosphatase Sensing

Until now, the green and facile synthesis of multicolor fluorescent silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) with favorable biocompatibility for cellular imaging and biosensors is still a challenge. Herein, a facile one-step room temperature method for preparing fluorescent SiNPs displayed different emission wavelengths was reported. Green and red fluorescent SiNPs (G-SiNPs and R-SiNPs) were synthesized by adjusting the concentration of the reducing agent 2,4-diaminophenol hydrochloride when the amount of N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)-propyl]-ethylenediamine was consistent. Characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the results revealed that the G-SiNPs and R-SiNPs were assembled by polymerization of different building blocks, and the emission characteristics of these SiNPs were attributed to the difference in their structural composition and particle size. Interestingly, these fluorescent SiNPs exhibited excellent water solubility, salt tolerance, pH stability, photobleaching resistance, and low cytotoxicity, which facilitated multicolor cell imaging, and further led to these SiNPs were highly attractive in a variety of applications, such as multi-channel sensing and biological imaging. Furthermore, the R-SiNPs have shown the potential to detect acid phosphatase, which is a biomarker of prostate cancer.

Construction of a Carbon Dots/Cobalt Oxyhydroxide Nanoflakes Biosensing Platform for Detection of Acid Phosphatase

Because abnormal acid phosphatase (ACP) can disrupt the normal physiological processes, determination of ACP level is extremely important for early diagnosis, treatment, and prognostic evaluation of diseases. Herein, a fluorescence platform for monitoring ACP level was established based on the assembly of red-emitting carbon dots (RCDs) on cobalt oxyhydroxide (CoOOH) nanoflakes. RCDs displayed excellent water solubility, pH stability, salt resistance, and photobleaching resistance. Interestingly, the fluorescence of the RCDs assembled on the surface of the CoOOH nanoflakes could be quenched due to the energy transfer caused by the nanoflakes. However, the ascorbic acid (AA) produced by the hydrolysis of ascorbic acid-2-phosphate trisodium salt (AAP) catalyzed by ACP could quickly and effectively reduce CoOOH nanoflakes, leading to the fluorescence recovery of the RCDs. Therefore, an "off-on" biosensor platform for rapid, sensitive, and selective detection of ACP was constructed with a limit of detection of 0.25 mU/L. With the assistance of the biosensor, the level of ACP in human serum samples was evaluated, and the spike recovery values ranged from 94.0% to 104.5%.

A fluorescent and colorimetric dual-channel sensor based on acid phosphatase-triggered blocking of internal filtration effect

A colorimetric and fluorescent dual-channel detection method for acid phosphatase (ACP) activity has been constructed, based on the internal filtering effect between oxidized 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (oxTMB) and rhodamine B (RB). Au³⁺, which in situ form gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), can oxidize colorless 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) to oxTMB (blue color). The fluorescence of RB can be quenched by oxTMB due to the spectral overlap of emission of RB and absorption of oxTMB. By means of the above process, ACP can be determined because ACP promotes the hydrolysis of 2-phospho-L-ascorbic acid trisodium salt (AAP) to generate ascorbic acid (AA), which can inhibit the internal filtering effect between RB and oxTMB. No material preparation was needed for the determination of ACP. The colorimetric and fluorimetric methods can quantify ACP in the range 0.06-5.0 mU/mL and 0.03-5.0 mU/mL, respectively. Furthermore, a smartphone-assisted sensing platform has been constructed for on-site monitoring of ACP in the range 0.75-50 mU/mL, and the detection limit is 0.3 mU/mL. The methods developed can measure ACP in human serum successfully.

Highly sensitive and selective detection and intracellular imaging of glutathione using MnO2 nanosheets assisted enhanced fluorescence of gold nanoclusters

Glutathione (GSH) plays a critical role in biological defense system and is associated with numerous human pathologies. However, it still remains a challenge for fluorescent detection of GSH over cysteine (Cys) and homocysteine (Hcy) because of their similar structures. In this work, MnO₂ nanosheets can efficiently quench the fluorescence of gold nanoclusters (Met-AuNCs) prepared by blending methionine and HAuCl₄ owing to their superior absorption capability. However, GSH can reduce MnO₂ nanosheets into Mn²⁺ which leads to the fluorescence recovery of Met-AuNCs. More intriguingly, GSH can dramatically and selectively enhance the fluorescence intensity of Met-AuNCs. Hence, a low background, ultrasensitive fluorescent detection of GSH was obtained with a detection limit of 68 nM. Moreover, the assay has been successfully used for GSH detection in human serum samples and cellular imaging with high selectivity over Cys and Hcy.

Fe-Mn Plaque Formation Mechanism Underlying the Inhibition of Cadmium Absorption by Rice Under Oxygation Conditions

Oxygation (O) is a water-saving and energy-saving irrigation method that can also influence the absorption of cadmium (Cd) by rice, but the related mechanism is still unclear. In this study, the relationship between O method and Fe-Mn plaque formation was tested through pot experiments. The Fe-Mn plaque content and Cd concentration were measured during different rice growth periods, and the fitted models based on their correlation were established. The results show that, Fe-Mn plaque formation was the most significant factor affecting Cd accumulation in rice under O conditions. The content of rice root Fe-Mn plaque was higher after the application of O during the filling and maturity stages of rice growth, and Fe-Mn plaque inhibited Cd accumulation in the rice roots and grains and reduced the translocation factors (TFs) from the rice dithionite-citrate-bicarbonate extract (DCB) to the roots (TF_DCB-R) and from the roots to the straw (TF_Straw-G). O may influence the Fe-Mn plaque formation on the root surface to impede Cd absorption by rice. This research provides theoretical support for the Cd absorption under O conditions.

A dual-signal fluorescent probe for detection of acid phosphatase

Acid phosphatase has become a significant indicator of prognostic and medical diagnosis, and its dysfunction may lead to a series of diseases. A novel dual-signal fluorescence method for acid phosphatase detection based on europium polymer (europium-pyridine dicarboxylicacid-adenine) and pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) was proposed. PLP coordinated with europium polymer via Eu³⁺ and P-O bonds, and the fluorescence of europium polymer was quenched due to the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) effect between aldehyde and europium polymer. Upon addition of acid phosphatase, the PLP was transformed to phosphate (Pi) and pyridoxal (PL). The PL was released from the surface of europium polymer, and the blue emission was enhanced due to the formation of internal hemiacetal, while the fluorescence of europium polymer recovered. The blue (PL) and red emission (Eu³⁺) were positively correlated with acid phosphatase activity; thus the sensitive assay of acid phosphatase was effectively achieved. The two signals were applied to determine the acid phosphatase with limits of detection (LOD) of 0.04 mU/mL and 0.38 mU/mL, and the linear ranges were 0.13-5.00 mU/mL and 1.25-20.00 mU/mL, respectively. The probe can be used to trace the acid phosphatase in biological systems and holds promise for use in clinical diagnosis and early prevention.

Indicators for assessment of soil quality: a mini-review

Soil quality is the competence of soil to perform necessary functions that are able to maintain animal and plant productivity of the soil. Soil consists of various physical, chemical, and biological parameters, and all these parameters are involved in the critical functioning of soil. There is a need for continuous assessment of soil quality as soil is a complex and dynamic constituent of Earth's biosphere that is continuously changing by natural and anthropogenic disturbances. Any perturbations in the soil cause disturbances in the physical (soil texture, bulk density, etc.), chemical (pH, salinity, organic carbon, etc.), and biological (microbes and enzymes) parameters. These physical, chemical, and biological parameters can serve as indicators for soil quality assessment. However, soil quality assessment cannot be possible by evaluating only one parameter out of physical, chemical, or biological. So, there is an emergent need to establish a minimum dataset (MDS) which shall include physical, chemical, and biological parameters to assess the quality of the given soil. This review attempts to describe various physical, chemical, and biological parameters, combinations of which can be used in the establishment of MDS.

Thiolated poly(aspartic acid)-functionalized two-dimensional MoS2, chitosan and bismuth film as a sensor platform for cadmium ion detection

In this work, a sensitive electrochemical platform for determination of cadmium ions (Cd²⁺) is obtained using thiolated poly(aspartic acid) (TPA)-functionalized MoS₂ as a sensor platform by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV). The performance of the TPA–MoS₂-modified sensor is systemically studied. It demonstrates that the TPA–MoS₂ nanocomposite modified sensor exhibits superior analytical performance for Cd²⁺ over a linear range from 0.5 μg L⁻¹ to 50 μg L⁻¹, with a detection limit of 0.17 μg L⁻¹. Chitosan is able to form a continuous coating film on the surface of the GC electrode. The good sensing performance of the TPA–MoS₂-modified sensor may be attributed to the following factors: the large surface area of MoS₂ (603 m² g⁻¹), and the abundant thiol groups of TPA. Thus, the TPA–MoS₂-modified sensor proves to be a reliable and environmentally friendly tool for the effective monitoring of Cd²⁺ existing in aquacultural environments.

In this work, a sensitive electrochemical platform for determination of cadmium ions (Cd²⁺) is obtained using thiolated poly(aspartic acid) (TPA)-functionalized MoS₂ as a sensor platform by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV).