Removal of bovine serum albumin using solid-phase extraction with in-situ polymerized stationary phase in a microfluidic device

Simplified miniaturized analytical set-up based on molecularly imprinted polymer directly coupled to UV detection for the determination of benzoylecgonine in urine

A simple, selective, and sensitive method involving a miniaturized solid phase extraction step based on a monolithic molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) directly coupled on-line to UV detection was developed for the determination of benzoylecgonine (BZE) in complex biological samples. Monolithic MIPs were prepared into 100 μm internal diameter fused-silica capillaries either by thermal or photopolymerization. While leading to similar selectivities with respect to BZE, photopolymerization has made it possible to produce monoliths of different lengths that can be adapted to the targeted miniaturized application. The homogeneous morphology of these monolithic MIPs was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy prior to measuring their permeability. Their selectivity was evaluated leading to imprinting factors of 2.7 ± 0.1 for BZE and 4.0 ± 0.6 for cocaine (selected as template for the MIP synthesis) with polymers resulting from three independent syntheses, showing both the high selectivity of the MIPs and the reproducibility of their synthesis. After selecting the appropriate capillary length and the set-up configuration and optimizing the extraction protocol to promote selectivity, the extraction of BZE present in human urine samples spiked at 150, 250, and 500 ng mL^-1 was successfully carried out on the monolithic MIP and coupled directly on-line with UV detection. The very clean-baseline of the resulting chromatograms revealing only the peak of interest for BZE illustrated the high selectivity brought by the monolithic MIP. Limits of detection and quantification of 56.4 ng mL^-1 and 188.0 ng mL^-1 were achieved in urine samples, respectively. It is therefore possible to achieve analytical threshold in accordance with the legislation on BZE detection in urine without the need for an additional chromatographic separation.

β-cyclodextrin cross-linked polymer as solid-phase extraction material coupled with the spectrophotometric method for the analysis of serum albumin

The β-cyclodextrin cross-linked polymer (β-CDCP) was synthesized and used as solid-phase extraction material to preconcentrate/analysis bovine serum albumin (BSA) coupled with UV-vis spectroscopy. The method based on the complex (BSA-phenylfluorone (PF)) adsorbed on β-CDCP. Adsorption kinetics and various factors of the formation procedure of BSA-PF and its retention on β-CDCP were investigated. The linear range and detection limit (DL) was 20.0-200.0 and 0.03 mg/L, respectively. Moreover, the β-CDCP could be used repeatedly. The proposed method has been applied to analysis serum albumin with satisfactory results.

Microfluidics in macro-biomolecules analysis: macro inside in a nano world

Use of microfluidic devices in the life sciences and medicine has created the possibility of performing investigations at the molecular level. Moreover, microfluidic devices are also part of the technological framework that has enabled a new type of scientific information to be revealed, i.e. that based on intensive screening of complete sets of gene and protein sequences. A deeper bioanalytical perspective may provide quantitative and qualitative tools, enabling study of various diseases and, eventually, may offer support for the development of accurate and reliable methods for clinical assessment. This would open the way to molecule-based diagnostics, i.e. establish accurate diagnosis and disease prognosis based on identification and/or quantification of biomacromolecules, for example proteins or nucleic acids. Finally, the development of disposable and portable devices for molecule-based diagnosis would provide the perfect translation of the science behind life-science research into practical applications dedicated to patients and health practitioners. This review provides an analytical perspective of the impact of microfluidics on the detection and characterization of bio-macromolecules involved in pathological processes. The main features of molecule-based diagnostics and the specific requirements for the diagnostic devices are discussed. Further, the techniques currently used for testing bio-macromolecules for potential diagnostic purposes are identified, emphasizing the newest developments. Subsequently, the challenges of this type of application and the status of commercially available devices are highlighted, and future trends are noted.