Spectroscopic analysis of L-histidine adsorbed on gold and silver nanoparticle surfaces investigated by surface-enhanced Raman scattering

Silver nanoparticles-based localized surface plasmon resonance biosensor for Escherichia coli detection

Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria with varying solution concentrations have been successfully detected using silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs)-based localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) biosensors. The Ag NPs were effectively synthesized by a chemical method using trisodium citrate with L-Histidine (L-His) and deposited on the surface of Au thin film-coated half-cylinder BK-7 prisms. He-Ne laser with a wavelength of 632.8 nm was used to generate LSPR phenomena in Kretschmann configuration with prism/Au thin film/His-Ag NPs/E. coli bacteria/air structure arrangements. The variation of E. coli bacteria concentration was carried out to determine the effect of E. coli bacteria concentration on the LSPR curve characteristics. The characterization results showed that the size of Ag NPs was 18.7 nm, and that of His-Ag NPs was 17.9 nm. Selected area electron diffraction results indicated the formation of diffraction rings with the presence of lattice planes (111), (200), (220), and (311), proving the face-centered cubic crystal structure of silver. The absorbance peak of Ag NPs shifted from a wavelength of 421-414 nm with an increase in band gap energy from 2.94 eV to 2.99 eV, along with a decreased average particle size. The functional groups observed in His-Ag NPs showed wavenumbers at 3320 to 3318 cm-1, 2106 to 2129 cm-1, and 1635 cm-1, showing the OH, CH, and C CO bonds, respectively. The SPR angle of the prism/Au thin film/air structure is 44.80°. Meanwhile, the LSPR angle for the prism/Au thin film/His-Ag NPs/air structure is 44.92°. There is an increase in the LSPR angle by 0.12°. Moreover, the minimum reflectance increases by 0.02. After detecting E. coli bacteria, the LSPR angle shifted by 0.26°, 0.38°, and 0.49° for concentrations of 6.0 × 108 CFU/mL, 6.0 × 107 CFU/mL and 6.0 × 106 CFU/mL respectively. However, the minimum reflectance rose from 0.09° to 0.14°, 0.20°, and 0.22°. Moreover, SPR testing with the structure of the prism/Au thin film/E. coli bacteria/air was carried out to determine the contribution of His-Ag NPs for detecting E. coli bacteria. The results showed that no angular shift occurs. These results indicate that using Ag NPs encapsulated with L-His is essential in amplifying the SPR signal and detecting E. coli bacteria. There was a notable alteration in both the LSPR angle and minimum reflectance indicating that adding His-Ag NPs facilitated the interaction between the E. coli and the sensor surface, thereby enhancing the performance of LSPR-based sensors for E. coli detection for low limit of detection value at 0.47 CFU/mL.

Effect of sulfur doping of zinc-imidazole coordination polymer (ZnIm CP) as a novel photocatalyst for degradation of ionic dyes

Zinc-Imidazole coordination polymer (ZnImCP) was simply synthesized hydrothermally at relatively low temperature (70 °C) from zinc acetate and imidazole. ZnImCP was treated by sulfide solution to produce sulfur-doped samples (S-ZnImCPs). Structures of the synthesized ZnImCP and S-ZnImCPs were characterized through FTIR, PXRD, and, Raman, SEM/EDX, N2-BET, UV–VIS DRS, and pHpzc analyses. The photocatalytic performances of pristine CP and sulfur modified CPs under visible and ultra-violet irradiations for degrading the cationic methylene blue (MB) and the anionic methyl orange (MO) were investigated considering different initial pH values 4, 7 and 10. Under visible light, the results indicate that these CPs display considerable photocatalytic degradation towards the cationic MB for the initial pH 4 and 7 where degradation increases with sulfur content. While under ultra-violet, results indicate considerable photocatalytic degradation towards both dyes for the initial pH 7 and 10 where degradation increases with sulfur content which indicates the gainful of non-metal dopping. The buffering nature of CPs and the type of radiation considering determined band-gap values effectively influence the degradation mechanisms.

The chemical adsorption effect of surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy of nitrobenzene and aniline using the density functional theory

Nitrobenzene and Aniline are representatives of the nitro or amino compounds of benzene, mainly used in the manufacture of dyes, spices, medicines, and so on. Extensive use of Nitrobenzene and Aniline may cause pesticide residue pollution and have carcinogenic effects on organisms. In this paper, the Nitrobenzene and Aniline single molecules and their complexes with gold nanoparticles are studied theoretically by Raman spectroscopy, the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and the density functional theory (DFT) simulations. Selective binding of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to the analyte was used to study the molecular electrostatic potential (MEP), frontier molecular orbital (FMO) and the Raman activity spectra of Nitrobenzene and Aniline, as well as the Raman activity spectrum of the complexes. The most electronegative sites of Nitrobenzene and Aniline are found in the MEP and the hypothesis that these sites might be the adsorption sites of Nitrobenzene/Aniline molecules at the gold surface. At the same time, the MEP of the Nitrobenzene/Aniline complexes also prove the existence of the charge transfer effect between Nitrobenzene/Aniline and Au. The FMO energy gap of Nitrobenzene/Aniline is 0.18983 eV and 0.18953 eV, respectively, and which, after adding the Au₃ clusters, change to 0.03376 eV and 0.0797 eV, respectively, indicating that the Nitrobenzene/Aniline-Au₃ complexes have stronger chemical activities and are more prone to the charge transfer effects. The electrophilic indices of Nitrobenzene (0.17921 eV) and Aniline (0.05635 eV) are calculated and analyzed, as well as that of Nitrobenzene/Aniline-Au₃ complexes after adding the Au₃ atomic clusters, 0.80819 eV and 0.19819 eV, respectively. The obvious increasing trend in the electrophilic indices of the Nitrobenzene/Aniline-Au₃ complexes indicate their stronger biological activities and more prone to chemical reactions. The chemisorption of Nitrobenzene/Aniline and gold nanoparticles complexes is studied by the SERS, and the Raman formation of the complexes at different binding sites of Nitrobenzene/Aniline and Nitrobenzene/Aniline-Au₃ is well explained by the surface selection rule. The reason for the selective enhancement of the spectral peaks presented in the Raman activity spectrum is calculated, and the enhancement factor of the chemical enhancement due to the charge transfer effect is calculated as well. The reason for the peak offset in the SERS spectrum to the conventional Raman spectrum is explained.

Understanding the discrimination and quantification of monoclonal antibodies preparations using Raman spectroscopy

The use of Raman spectroscopy for analytical quality control of anticancer drug preparations in clinical pharmaceutical dispensing units is increasing in popularity, notably supported by commercially available, purpose designed instruments. Although not legislatively compulsory, analytical methods are frequently used post-preparation to verify the accuracy of a preparation in terms of identity and quantity of the drug in solution. However, while the rapid, cost effective and label free analysis achieved with Raman spectroscopy is appealing, it is important to understand the molecular origin of the spectral contributions collected from the solution of actives and excipients, to evaluate the strength and limitation for the technique, which can be used to identify and quantify either the prescribed commercial formulation, and/or the active drug itself, in personalised solutions. In the current study, four commercial formulations, Erbitux®, Truxima®, Ontruzant® and Avastin® of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), corresponding respectively to cetuximab, rituximab, trastuzumab and bevacizumab have been used to highlight the key role of excipients in discrimination and quantification of the formulations. It is demonstrated that protein based anticancer drugs such as mAbs have a relatively weak Raman response, while excipients such as glycine, trehalose or histidine contribute significantly to the spectra. Multivariate analysis (partial least square regression and partial least square discriminant analysis) further demonstrates that the signatures of the mAbs themselves are not prominent in mathematical models and that those of the excipients are solely responsible for the differentiation of formulation and accurate determination of concentrations. While Raman spectroscopy can successfully validate the conformity of mAbs intravenous infusion solutions, the basis for the analysis should be considered, and special caution should be given to excipient compositions in commercial formulations to ensure reliability and reproducibility of the analysis.

A novel label-free colorimetric detection of l-histidine using Cu2+-modulated G-quadruplex-based DNAzymes

We proposed a colorimetric method for l-histidine detection based on Cu²⁺-mediated DNAzyme and G-quadruplex-hemin complex catalyzed oxidation of 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS). In this system, after the addition of l-histidine, the formation of G-quadruplex-hemin complex will be disturbed, thus the colorimetric signal intensity conversely corresponds to the concentration of histidine. In this assay, a lower detection limit of l-histidine (50 nM) is addressed comparing to previously reported colorimetric methods. The cost is extremely low as the proposed design is both label-free and enzyme-free. All the more vitally, the colorimetric detection procedure is substantially straightforward with no further modification processes. By and large, the sensor can provide a promising plan for the detection of l-histidine.

Co-assembly of Fmoc-tripeptide and gold nanoparticles as a facile approach to immobilize nanocatalysts

AuNPs are immobilized onto peptide-based nanofibers through co-assembly Fmoc-FFX and nanoparticles, which shows favorable catalytic activity toward 4-nitrophenol.

Interaction of 4-imidazolemethanol with a copper electrode revealed by isotope-edited SERS and theoretical modeling

Adsorption of 4-imidazolemethanol (ImMeOH) on a copper electrode has been investigated by in situ isotope-edited (H/D and (63)Cu/(65)Cu) surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) in aqueous solutions at physiological pH (7.0) in a potential window from -0.500 to -1.100 V. Theoretical modeling by DFT calculations at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level for light atoms and LANL2DZ with ECP for copper atoms have been employed for the interpretation of experimental data. The copper surface was modeled by a cluster of 6 atoms. It was found that the imidazole ring adopts Tautomer-I form in the adsorbed state and coordinates with the Cu surface through the N3 atom. Linear potential-dependence of ν(C4=C5) mode with the slope of (15 ± 1) cm(-1) V(-1) was experimentally observed. The imidazole ring mode near 1492 cm(-1) primarily due to ν(C2-N3) + β(C2H) vibration has also showed a considerable decrease in frequency at more negative electrode potentials with the slope of (9 ± 2) cm(-1) V(-1). Both modes can be used as sensitive probes for analysis of interaction of the imidazole ring with the metal surface. In agreement with experimental data theoretical modeling has predicted higher stability of surface bound Tautomer-I compared with Tautomer-II. The formation of a covalent bond between the metal and adsorbate was experimentally evidenced by metal isotopic ((63)Cu/(65)Cu) frequency shift of ν(Cu-N) mode at 222 cm(-1), combined with theoretical modeling of the surface complex.

Detection of the mycotoxin citrinin using silver substrates and Raman spectroscopy

We detected a trace amount of the mycotoxin citrinin using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) on silver nanoparticle (Ag NP) surfaces. The SERS substrate on hydrophobic Teflon films was also introduced to observe the citrinin peaks. A broad band at ∼1382cm(-1), which was ascribed to the symmetric carboxylate stretching mode, was observed in addition to an antisymmetric carboxylate stretching mode at ∼1568cm(-1) in the Raman spectra. The spectral feature indicated that citrinin would adsorb on Ag NPs via its carboxylate form. Based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations, vibrational mode analysis was performed to compare the Raman spectra of citrinin. DFT calculations also predicted that a bidentate bridge configuration through O15 and O16 atoms in citrinin would be the most stable on three Ag atoms. After treating with Ag NPs, observation of citrinin peaks was attempted in fungal cells of Penicillium citrinum. This work may provide useful insights into the direct observation of the hazardous citrinin mycotoxin using SERS by understanding its adsorption behaviors on Ag surfaces.

An electrochemical aptasensor based on the amplification of two kinds of gold nanocrystals for the assay of L-histidine with picomolar detection limit

Au nanocrystals (NCs) enclosed by higher-index facets have high surface chemical activity. They attract much attention because of their excellent biocompatibility. In this work, well-defined elongated tetrahexahedral (ETHH) Au NCs and end-truncated ETHH with high-index facets are successfully prepared by using a single surfactant system of didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB) and a binary system of cetyltrimethylammoniumbromide and DDAB in two-step seed-mediated growth. The characteristics of high-index facet Au NC modified electronic aptamer-based sensors are presented and they are applicable to a wide range of aptamers. Herein, we only take L-histidine as the representative sensing target. With modification of the Au NCs, a very low detection limit (sub-picomolar) is obtained. In particular, a detailed sensitivity comparison between the modification of end-truncated ETHH and ETHH Au NCs is presented to demonstrate the slight difference in the chemical activities of Au NCs with different high-index facets. Our work sheds light on the large scale fabrication of Au/metallic NCs with high-index facets and also provides a new eye-opening example of engineering ultra-sensitive DNA sensors based on Au NCs.

Temperature-dependent structural change of D-penicillamine-capped chiral gold nanoparticles investigated by infrared spectroscopy

The structure and stability of D-penicillamine-capped gold nanoparticles (d-Pen Au NPs) were studied using spectroscopic tools. The synthesis of d-Pen Au NPs was examined using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, and circular dichroism (CD). Temperature-dependent reversible structural changes of d-Pen Au NPs were observed using infrared spectroscopic tools. The three thiol, carboxyl, and amino binding groups of d-Pen were presumed to interact with Au NP surfaces on the basis of the infrared spectral features. d-Pen appeared to form quite a stable structure and desorb at a high temperature above 453 K on Au NPs. Our deconvolution analysis indicated the ν(s)(COO(-)) and ν(as)(COO(-)) carboxylate bands at ∼1,392 and ∼1,560 cm(-1) appeared to be weakened, whereas the amino band at ∼1,595 cm(-1) remained strong in increasing the temperature from 293 to 373 K. On the other hand, the intensities of the zwitter ionic bands at ∼999, ∼1,117, and ∼1,631 cm(-1) for NH(3)(+) appeared to decrease presumably due to the deprotonation process at 373 K. Our infrared spectroscopic study suggests that the deprotonated amino groups bind stronger, whereas the intra-carboxylate bonds become weaker as the temperature increase. Such structural changes of d-Pen Au NPs appeared to be reversible between 293 and 373 K.

Highly reproducible and sensitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering from colloidal plasmonic nanoparticle via stabilization of hot spots in graphene oxide liquid crystal

Although it is now well recognized that plasmonic gold/silver nanoparticle based aggregates having electromagnetic hot spots are responsible for high sensitivity in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), the high yield and reproducible production of such nanostructures are challenging and limit their practical application. Here we show a graphene oxide (GO) based approach in generating stable electromagnetic hot spots with high yield from colloidal plasmonic nanoparticles that leads to highly reproducible, stable and sensitive SERS for a wide range of molecules with Raman enhancement factors between 10(8) to 10(11). The liquid crystalline property of dispersed GO directs the Raman probe induced controlled aggregation of plasmonic particles, restricting those aggregates to small and discrete clusters and stabilizing those clusters for longer times-offering the Raman probe induced 'turn on' SERS with high sensitivity and reproducibility. The presented approach is broadly applicable to different types of colloidal plasmonic particles and a wide range of Raman probes and is ideal for SERS based reliable detection of analyte at ultralow concentration.

Silver nanoparticles as a new solid-phase adsorbent and its application to preconcentration and determination of lead from biological samples

A new, simple, and fast method for preconcentration and determination of trace amount of lead from biological samples was developed by modified silver nanoparticle-based solid-phase extraction technique and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. In this study, morin was used as a complexing agent. Some factors influencing the recovery of lead including pH, sample flow rate, type, flow rate, and least amount of the eluent for elution of the lead from silver nanoparticles were studied and optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the detection limit of this method was 68 ng L(-1), and the relative standard deviation was 4.1% (n = 10, c = 20 μg L(-1)). The developed procedure was validated by the analysis of certified reference material and applied to the recovery and determination of lead in biological samples.

Electrochemical sensing of L-histidine based on structure-switching DNAzymes and gold nanoparticle-graphene nanosheet composites

A sensitive aptasensor for detection of L-histidine based on the switching structure of aptamer and gold nanoparticles-graphene nanosheets (GNPs-GNSs) composite was reported for the first time. The fabricated biosensor shows an expanded linear range, excellent sensitivity and selectivity against other amino acids.

Photonic immobilization of BSA for nanobiomedical applications: creation of high density microarrays and superparamagnetic bioconjugates

Light assisted molecular immobilization has been used for the first time to engineer covalent bioconjugates of superparamagnetic nanoparticles and proteins. The technology involves disulfide bridge disruption upon UV excitation of nearby aromatic residues. The close spatial proximity of aromatic residues and disulfide bridges is a conserved structural feature in proteins. The created thiol groups bind thiol reactive surfaces leading to oriented covalent protein immobilization. We have immobilized a model carrier protein, bovine serum albumin, onto Fe(3)O(4)@Au core-shell nanoparticles as well as arrayed it onto optically flat thiol reactive surfaces. This new immobilization technology allows for ultra high dense packing of different bio-molecules on a surface, allowing the creation of multi-potent functionalized active new biosensor materials, biomarkers identification and the development of nanoparticles based novel drug delivery system.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering and theoretical studies of the C-terminal peptide of the β-subunit human chorionic gonadotropin without linked carbohydrates

Raman and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of the synthetic carboxy terminal peptide of human chorionic gonadatropin β-subunit free of carbohydrate moieties(P37) are reported. The spectral analysis is performed on the basis of our reported Raman spectrum and SERS data of oligopeptides displaying selected amino acids sequences MRKDV, ADEDRDA, and LGRGISL. SERS samples of P37 were prepared by coating the solid peptide with metal colloids on a quartz slide. This treatment makes possible to obtain high spectral batch to batch reproducibility. Amino acids components of P37 display net charges and hydrophobic characteristics, which are related to particular structural aspects of the adsorbate-substrate interaction. The spectroscopic results are supported by quantum chemical calculations performed by using extended Hückel theory method for a model of P37 interacting with an Ag surface. The P37-metal interaction is drove by positively charged fragments of selected amino acids,mainly threonine 109, lysine 122, and arginine in positions 114 and 133. Data here reported intend to contribute to the knowledge about the antigen-antibody interaction and to the drugs delivery research area