Carp vitellogenin detection by an optical waveguide lightmode spectroscopy biosensor

Development of an immunosensor for quantifying zebrafish vitellogenin based on the Octet system

Vitellogenin (Vtg) is a sensitive biomarker for environmental estrogens. In this study, an immunosensor for quantifying zebrafish Vtg was developed using the Octet system. First, Protein A sensors were immobilized with purified anti-lipovitellin (Lv) antibody that demonstrated specificity to Vtg. Then, antibody-coated biosensors were immersed into zebrafish Lv standards and diluted samples. The Octet system measured and recorded kinetic parameters between antigens and captured antibody within 5 min. Sample Vtg concentrations were automatically calculated by interpolating relative binding rates observed with each sample and the immobilized anti-Lv antibody into the developed standard curve. The sensor arrays exhibited a wide linear range from 78 to 5000 ng/mL, and the inter-assay coefficient of variation was 0.66-1.97%. Furthermore, the performance of the immunosensor in detecting Vtg was evaluated by quantifying Vtg induction in juvenile zebrafish exposed to 17β-estradiol (E₂). Compared with conventional immunoassay techniques, the Vtg immunosensor developed based on the Octet system was much simpler and less time-consuming, allowing rapid Vtg quantification within 15 min. Moreover, Protein A sensors could be reused many times to ensure that the assays have high reproducibility. Therefore, we suggest that immunosensors based on the Octet system are an easily operated detection method for ecotoxicological research.

Measurement of polyphenol oxidase activity using optical waveguide lightmode spectroscopy-based immunosensor

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) is an important quality index during food processing involving heat-treatment and sensitive determination of PPO activity has been a critical concern in the food industry. In this study, a new measurement of PPO activity exploiting an optical waveguide lightmode spectroscopy-based immunosensor is presented using a polyclonal anti-PPO antibody that was immobilized in situ to the surface of a 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane-treated optical grating coupler activated with glutaraldehyde. When analysed with a purified PPO fraction from potato tubers, a linear relationship was found between PPO activities of 0.0005607-560.7U/mL and the sensor responses obtained. The sensor was applicable to measurement of PPO activity in real samples that were prepared from potato tubers, grapes and Kimchi cabbage, and the analytical results were compared with those obtained by a conventional colorimetric assay measuring PPO activity. When tested for long-term stability, the sensor was reusable up to 10th day after preparation.

SERS biosensor using metallic nano-sculptured thin films for the detection of endocrine disrupting compound biomarker vitellogenin

A biosensor chip is developed for the detection of a protein biomarker of endocrine disrupting compounds, vitellogenin (Vg) in aquatic environment. The sensor chip is fabricated by immobilizing anti-Vg antibody on 4-Aminothiophenol (4-ATP) coated nanosculptured thin films (nSTFs) of silver on Si substrates. The biosensor is based on the SERS of 4-ATP, enhanced by the Ag nSTFs. Before the fabrication of the sensor, the performance of the enhancement is optimized with respect to the porosity of nSTFs. Further, the biosensor is developed on the nSTF with optimized enhancement. The SERS signals are recorded from the sensor chip for varying concentrations of Vg. A control experiment is performed on another similar protein Fetuin to confirm the specificity of the sensor. The repeatability and reusability of the sensor, along with its shelf life are also checked. The limit of detection of the sensor is found to be 5 pg mL −1 of Vg in PBS within our experimental window. Apart from high sensitivity, specificity and reusability, the present sensor provides additional advantages of miniaturization, requirement of very small volumes of the analyte solution (15 μL) and fast response as compared to conventional techniques e.g., ELISA, as its response time is less than 3 minutes.

Grading the commercial optical biosensor literature-Class of 2008: 'The Mighty Binders'

Optical biosensor technology continues to be the method of choice for label-free, real-time interaction analysis. But when it comes to improving the quality of the biosensor literature, education should be fundamental. Of the 1413 articles published in 2008, less than 30% would pass the requirements for high-school chemistry. To teach by example, we spotlight 10 papers that illustrate how to implement the technology properly. Then we grade every paper published in 2008 on a scale from A to F and outline what features make a biosensor article fabulous, middling or abysmal. To help improve the quality of published data, we focus on a few experimental, analysis and presentation mistakes that are alarmingly common. With the literature as a guide, we want to ensure that no user is left behind.

Flow-injection electrochemical immunosensor for the detection of human IgG based on glucose oxidase-derivated biomimetic interface

A newly flow-through electrochemical immunosensor for monitoring IgG in human serum has been developed by using core-shell SiO(2)/Au nanocomposites and poly(amidoamine) G4 dendrimer as matrices. The ferrocenecarboaldehyde-labeled anti-IgG biomolecules were initially chemisorbed onto the nanoparticle surface, and then glucose oxidase (GOx), as a blocking reagent instead of bovine serum albumin (BSA), was backfilled onto the modified surface. The formation of the antibody-antigen complex by a simple one-step immunoreaction between the immobilized anti-IgG and IgG in sample solution introduced a barrier of direct electrical communication between the immobilized GOx and the base surface, and decreased the immobilized GOx toward the catalytic oxidation of glucose. The performance and factors influencing the performance of the immunosensor were evaluated. Under optimal conditions, the linear range of the developed immunosensor by using GOx as enhancer was from 5.0 x 10(-6) to 9.6 x 10(-4)mol/L with a detection limit of 8.0 x 10(-7)mol/L IgG (at 3delta), while the detection limit by using BSA was 1.5 x 10(-5)mol/L IgG (at 3delta) with the linear range from 3.5 x 10(-5) to 1.2 x 10(-3)mol/L. The selectivity, reproducibility and stability of the proposed immunosensor were acceptable. The IgG contents in 37 human serum samples obtained by the proposed method are identical with the data of clinical laboratory.