Magnetic nanomaterials based electrochemical (bio)sensors for food analysis

A renewable screen-printed electrode based on magnetic NiCo@N-doped carbon nanotubes derived from Co-MOF for ractopamine detection

A renewable electrochemical screen-printed electrode (SPE) is proposed based on magnetic bamboo-like nitrogen-carbon (N-C) nanotubes loaded with nickel-cobalt alloy (NiCo) nanoparticles (NiCo@N-CNTs) for the determination of ractopamine (RAC). During the preparation of NiCo@N-CNTs, Co-MOF-67 (ZIF-67) was firstly synthesized, and then blended with dicyandiamide and nickel acetate, followed by a one-step pyrolysis procedure to prepare NiCo@N-doped carbon nanotubes. The surface morphology, structure, and chemical composition of NiCo@N-CNTs were characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, XPS, and EDS. The electrocatalytic and electrochemical behavior of NiCo@N-CNTs were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results demonstrated that NiCo@N-CNTs possessed remarkable conductivity and electrocatalysis to the oxidation of ractopamine (RAC). By using screen-printed electrode (SPE), NiCo@N-CNTs, and a designed base support, a magnetic RAC sensor (NiCo@N-CNTs/SPE) was successfully constructed. It presented a detection linear range of 0.05-80 μM with a detection limit of 12 nM (S/N = 3). It also exhibited good sensitivity, reproducibility, and practicability in spiked real pork samples. Since the adhesion of NiCo/N-CNTs on SPE was controlled by magnet, the NiCo@N-CNTs was easily detached from the SPE surface by magnetism and thus displayed excellent renewability. This work broadened insights into portable devices for on-site and real-time analysis.

Dual-signal amplified electrochemical aptasensor based on Au/MrGO and DNA nanospheres for ultra-sensitive detection of BPA without directly modified working electrode

Rapid and sensitive analysis of bisphenol A (BPA) is essential for preventing health risks to humans and animals. Hence, a signal-amplified electrochemical aptasensor without repetitive polishing and modification of working electrode was developed for BPA using Au-decorated magnetic reduced graphene oxide (Au/MrGO)-based recognition probe (RP) and DNA nanospheres (DNS)-based signal probe (SP) cooperative signal amplification. The DNS served as a signal molecule carrier and signal amplifier, while Au/MrGO acted as a signal amplifier and excellent medium for magnetic adsorption and separation. Moreover, utilizing the excellent magnetic properties of Au/MrGO eliminates the need for repetitive polishing and multi-step direct modification of the working electrode while ensuring that all detection processes take place in solution and that used Au/MrGO can be easily recycled. The proposed aptasensor exhibited not only good stability and selectivity, but also excellent sensitivity with a limit of detection (LOD) of 8.13 fg/mL (S/N = 3). The aptasensor's practicality was proven by spiking recovery tests on actual water samples and comparing the results with those detected by HPLC. The excellent sensitivity and selectivity make this aptasensor an alternative and promising avenue for rapid detection of BPA in environmental monitoring.

Electrochemical investigation of an anticancer drug 5-Fluorouracil in the presence of Theophylline using low-cost and disposable poly(GLY) modified pencil graphite electrode

Herein this study, a facile, efficient and disposable electrochemical sensor has been prepared by electropolymerization of glycine (poly(GLY)) on the surface of pencil graphite electrode (PGE). The surface topology of the equipped poly(GLY) modified pencil graphite electrode (poly(GLY)/PGE) and bare pencil graphite electrode (BPGE) has been characterized by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDX) and charge transfer behaviour was measured by electron impedance spectroscopy (EIS) method. The voltammetric behaviour of anticancer, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in the presence of theophylline (THP) has been carried out in 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution (PBS) of physiological pH 7.0 using different techniques such as cyclic voltammetry (CV), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The proposed poly(GLY)/PGE shows augmented peak current for 5-FU at lower potential side over the BPGE due to the electrocatalytic behaviour of modifier layers wrapped on the electrode surface. The kinetic behaviour of 5-FU at modified electrode surface was studied by varying different parameters such as pH, scan rate and concentration study in 0.1 M PBS used as a supporting electrolyte. The limit of detection (LOD) for 5-FU was attained using DPV method with different concentrations (1.0-13.0 μM) and it was found to be 0.012 μM. The possible electrochemical reaction of 5-FU was proposed and it was incorporated by two electrons and two protons mechanism at modified electrode surface. The voltammetric response of poly(GLY)/PGE towards the determination of 5-FU was unaffected in the presence of some excipients in addition to the remarkable stability and reproducibility. The applicability of the proposed sensor has been performed by real sample investigation of 5-FU with a substantial percentage of recovery results in all optimized conditions.

A novel polycaprolactone/polypyrrole/β-cyclodextrin electrochemical flexible sensor for dinotefuran pesticide detection

The monitoring and the rapid quantification of pesticides and their residues are becoming increasingly important in the field of food safety. Herein, the polycaprolactone/polypyrrole/β-cyclodextrin (PCL/PPy/β-CD) flexible sensor was developed for the electrochemical determination of new neonicotinoid insecticide Dinotefuran (DNF). The morphology, structure, and hydrophilicity of PCL/PPy/β-CD sensor probes were characterized by SEM, FTIR spectroscopy and static contact angle test. Under optimum conditions, the fabricated PCL/PPy/β-CD sensor exhibited excellent electrochemical sensing performance for DNF with a low detection limit of 0.05 μM in the linear concentration range from 0.2 μM to 50 μM and high sensitivity 14.07 μA·μM-1·cm-2, which attributed to the two-stage porous structure, good electron transfer rate and the adsorption effect. The PCL/PPy/β-CD sensor also showed reproducibility (RSD = 4.76%), stability, and high selectivity towards DNF. In addition, a real samples investigation in rice with recoveries of 96.67 % ∼ 103.65 % implied the good application potential of PCL/PPy/β-CD in DNF monitoring.

Multifunctional molecularly imprinted nanozymes with improved enrichment and specificity for organic and inorganic trace compounds

Although nanozymes exhibit properties superior to those of natural enzymes and conventional engineered enzymes, the development of highly specific nanozymes remains a challenge. New yolk-shell Fe3O4 molecularly imprinted (MIP@void@Fe3O4) nanozymes with peroxidase-like activity were developed by modelling the substrate channels of natural enzymes through molecular imprinting techniques and interfacial affinity modifications in this study. To establish a platform technology for the adsorption and determination of inorganic and organic contaminants, lead ion (Pb2+) and diazinon (DIZ), respectively, were selected as imprinting templates, and a hollow mesoporous shell was synthesized. The as-prepared MIP@void@Fe3O4 nanozymes, characterized using TEM, HRTEM, SEM, FT-IR, TGA, VSM and XPS, not only affirmed the successful fabrication of a magnetic nanoparticle with a unique hollow core-shell structure but also facilitated an exploration of the interfacial bonding mechanisms between Fe3O4 and other shell layers. The enrichment of the MIP@void@Fe3O4 nanozymes due to imprinting was approximately 5 times higher than the local substrate concentration and contributed to the increased activity. Based on selective and competitive recognition experiments, the synthesized nanozymes could selectively recognize organic and inorganic targets with the lowest detection limits (LOD) of 6.6 × 10-9 ppm for Pb2+ and 5.13 × 10-11 M for DIZ. Therefore, the proposed biosensor is expected to be a potent tool for trace pollutant detection, which provides a rational design for more advanced and subtle methods to bridge the activity gap between natural enzymes and nanozymes.

Immunoassays and Emerging Analytical Techniques of Fipronil and its Metabolites for Food Safety: A Review

Fipronil, classified as a phenylpyrazole insecticide, is utilized to control agricultural, public health, and veterinary pests. Notably, its unique ecological fate involves degradation to toxic metabolites, which poses the risk of contamination in water and foodstuffs and potential human exposure through the food chain. In response to these concerns, there is a pressing need to develop analytical methodologies for detecting fipronil and its metabolites. This review provides a concise overview of the mode of action, metabolism, and toxicology of fipronil. Additionally, various detection strategies, encompassing antibody-based immunoassays and emerging analytical techniques, such as fluorescence assays based on aptamer/molecularly imprinted polymer/fluorescent probes, electrochemical sensors, and Raman spectroscopy, are thoroughly reviewed and discussed. The focus extends to detecting fipronil and its metabolites in crops, fruits, vegetables, animal-derived foods, water, and bodily fluids. This comprehensive exploration contributes valuable insights into the field, aiming to foster the development and innovation of more sensitive, rapid, and applicable analytical methods.

Electrochemical Sensors for Detection of Phytomolecules: A Mechanistic Approach

High demand and ongoing technological advancements have created a market for sensors that is both varied and rapidly evolving. Bioactive compounds are separated systematically to conduct an in-depth investigation, allowing for the profiling or fingerprinting of different Plantae kingdoms. The profiling field is significant in elucidating the complex interplay of plant traits, attributes, and environmental factors. Flexible technology advancements have enabled the creation of highly sensitive sensors for the non-destructive detection of molecules. Additionally, very specialized integrated systems that will allow multiplexed detection by integrating many hybrid approaches have been developed, but these systems are highly laborious and expensive. Electrochemical sensors, on the other hand, are a viable option because of their ability to accomplish exact compound detection via efficient signal transduction. However, this has not been investigated because of some obstacles to learning minimum metabolites' fundamentals and nonredox properties. This article reviews the electrochemical basis of plants, contrasting it with more conventional techniques and offering both positive and negative perspectives on the topic. Because few studies have been devoted to the concept of merging the domains, we've expanded the scope of this work by including pertinent non-phytochemical reports for better report comparison.

Effects of additives on the performance of a laser-induced graphene sensor modified with ZrO2 nanoparticles for OP detection

In this study, a simple and portable electrochemical sensor based on laser-induced graphene (LIG) has been developed to systematically investigate the feasibility of LIG as an electrode to detect organophosphorus pesticides (OPs). It proves that the LIG-based electrode has a relatively high electrochemically active surface area (ECSA) and heterogeneous electron transfer (HET) of 0.100 cm2 and 0.000825 cm s-1, respectively. In addition, zirconium dioxide nanoparticles (ZrO2 NPs) have been modified on the electrode with three different binders, β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), chitosan (CS) and Nafion, to improve the adsorption capacity of the electrode toward OPs, and the effect of the binders on the performance of the as-fabricated sensor has been investigated in detail. The results show that β-CD increases not only the electrochemically active surface area of the electrode but also the redox peak current of methyl parathion (MP). To evaluate the sensitivity of the sensor, differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) curves have been tested in solutions containing different concentrations of MP using ZrO2-β-CD/LIG as an electrode, which shows a detection range of 5-200 ng ml-1 and a detection limit of 0.89 ng ml-1. In summary, the LIG-based sensor has a low detection limit, high sensitivity and good interference resistance, and thus has tremendous potential for the detection of pesticides in the environment.

Development and application of fruit and vegetable based green films with natural bio-actives in meat and dairy products: a review

In recent years, foodborne outbreaks and food plastic waste accumulation in the environment have impelled a hunt for new, sustainable, novel and innovatory food packaging interventions to face microbial contamination, food quality and safety. Pollution caused from wastes generated by agricultural activities is one of chief rising concerns of the environmentalists across the globe. A solution to this problem is effective and economic valorization of residues from agriculture sector. It would ensure that the by-products/residues from one activity act as ingredients/raw materials for another industry. An example is fruit and vegetable waste based green films for food packaging. Edible packaging is a well-researched area of science where numerous biomaterials have been already explored. Along with dynamic barrier properties, these biofilms often exhibit antioxidant and antimicrobial properties as function of the bioactive additives (e.g. essential oils) often incorporated in them. Additionally, these films are made competent by use of recent technologies (e.g. encapsulation, nano-emulsions, radio-sensors) to ensure high end performance and meet the principles of sustainability. Livestock products such as meat, poultry and dairy products are highly perishable and depend largely upon the mercy of packaging materials to enhance their shelf life. In this review, all the above-mentioned aspects are thoroughly covered with a view to project fruit and vegetable based green films (FVBGFs) as a potential and viable packaging material for livestock products, along with a discussion on role of bio-additives, technological interventions, properties and potential applications of FVBGFs in livestock products. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Triplex DNA Helix Sensor Based on Reduced Graphene Oxide and Electrodeposited Gold Nanoparticles for Sensitive Lead(II) Detection

A triplex DNA electrochemical sensor based on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and electrodeposited gold nanoparticles (EAu) was simply fabricated for Pb2+ detection. The glass carbon electrode (GCE) sequentially electrodeposited with rGO and EAu was further modified with a triplex DNA helix that consisted of a guanine (G)-rich circle and a stem of triplex helix based on T-A•T base triplets. With the existence of Pb2+, the DNA configuration which was formed via the Watson-Crick and Hoogsteen base pairings was split and transformed into a G-quadruplex. An adequate electrochemical response signal was provided by the signal indicator methylene blue (MB). The proposed sensor demonstrated a linear relationship between the differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) peak currents and the logarithm of Pb2+ concentrations from 0.01 to 100.00 μM with a detection limit of 0.36 nM. The proposed sensor was also tested with tap water, river and medical wastewater samples with qualified recovery and accuracy and represented a promising method for Pb2+ detection.

Novel Ag-coated nanofibers prepared by electrospraying as a SERS platform for ultrasensitive and selective detection of nitrite in food

Nitrite is commonly used as a preservative and color fixative in the meat industry. However, the risk of it transforming into N-nitrosamine restricts its intake. Herein, a novel sensitive Ag-coated nanofiber surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) platform was developed for rapid nitrite detection. The electrospraying technique was firstly used to assemble Ag nanoparticles (NPs) on the nanofibers to obtaine SERS platform. The homogeneity and long-term stability of the SERS platform were evaluated. The limit of detection (LOD) of the SERS platform was estimated to be 2.216 × 10^-12 mol/L, corresponding to 15.29 ng·L^-1 and good linearity was shown between the relative SERS intensity and nitrite concentration range of 10-1 to 10^-4 mol/L. The Ag-coated nanofiber SERS platform was utilized to assay-five common nitrite foods, and the results provided valid evidence for the compatibility of SERS platform in quantitative nitrite detection.

Advances in MXene-Based Electrochemical (Bio)Sensors for Neurotransmitter Detection

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that play an important role in the nervous system's control of the body's physiological state and behaviour. Abnormal levels of neurotransmitters are closely associated with some mental disorders. Therefore, accurate analysis of neurotransmitters is of great clinical importance. Electrochemical sensors have shown bright application prospects in the detection of neurotransmitters. In recent years, MXene has been increasingly used to prepare electrode materials for fabricating electrochemical neurotransmitter sensors due to its excellent physicochemical properties. This paper systematically introduces the advances in MXene-based electrochemical (bio)sensors for the detection of neurotransmitters (including dopamine, serotonin, epinephrine, norepinephrine, tyrosine, NO, and H₂S), with a focus on their strategies for improving the electrochemical properties of MXene-based electrode materials, and provides the current challenges and future prospects for MXene-based electrochemical neurotransmitter sensors.

Aqueous Two-Phase Systems Based on Cationic and Anionic Surfactants Mixture for Rapid Extraction and Colorimetric Determination of Synthetic Food Dyes

In this study, aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) containing a cationic and anionic surfactants mixture were used for the preconcentration of the synthetic food dyes Allura Red AC, Azorubine, Sunset Yellow, Tartrazine, and Fast Green FCF. A rapid, simple, low cost, affordable, and environmentally friendly methodology based on microextraction in ATPSs, followed by spectrophotometric/colorimetric determination of the dyes, is proposed. The ATPSs are formed in mixtures of benzethonium chloride (BztCl) and sodium N-lauroylsarcosinate (NaLS) or sodium dihexylsulfosuccinate (NaDHSS) under the molar ratio close to equimolar at the total surfactant concentration of 0.01-0.20 M. The density, viscosity, polarity, and water content in the surfactant-rich phases at an equimolar ratio BztCl:NaA were determined. The effects of pH, total surfactant concentration, dye concentration, and time of extraction/centrifugation were investigated, and the optimum conditions for the quantitative extraction of dyes were established. The smartphone-based colorimetric determination was employed directly in the extract without separating the aqueous phase. The analytical performance (calibration linearity, precision, limits of detection and quantification, reproducibility, and preconcentration factor) and comparison of the spectrophotometric and smartphone-based colorimetric determination of dyes were evaluated. The method was applied to the determination of dyes in food samples and food-processing industrial wastewater.

Vein-Like Ni-BTC@Ni3S4 with Sulfur Vacancy and Ni3+ Fabricated In Situ Etching Vulcanization Strategy for an Electrochemical Sensor of Dopamine

In this study, a novel Ni-BTC@Ni₃S₄ composite was fabricated by solvothermal reaction using an in situ etching vulcanization strategy and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analyses. The existence of a sulfur vacancy and Ni³⁺ in the as-prepared vein-like Ni-BTC@Ni₃S₄ greatly promoted the electrochemical sensing activity of the materials. Herein, a simple electrochemical sensor (Ni-BTC@Ni₃S₄/CPE) has been fabricated and used for the detection of dopamine (DA). The current signal of the Ni-BTC@Ni₃S₄/CPE-modified electrode was linear with the concentration of DA in the range of 0.05-750 μM (R² = 0.9995) with a sensitivity of 560.27 μA·mM^-1·cm^-2 and a detection limit of 0.016 μM. At the same time, the sensor has good stability and anti-interference ability. This study could provide a new idea and strategy for the structural regulation of composite electrode-modified materials and sensitive sensing detection of small biological molecules.

Synergetic effects of a poly-tartrazine/CTAB modified carbon paste electrode sensor towards simultaneous and interference-free determination of benzenediol isomers

Simultaneous and selective detection of dihydroxy benzene isomers by the synergistic effect of CTAB and tartrazine on a carbon paste electrode (poly-TZ/CTAB/MCPE) sensor by CV and DPV techniques.

Graphene Oxide-Magnetic Nanoparticles Loaded Polystyrene-Polydopamine Electrospun Nanofibers Based Nanocomposites for Immunosensing Application of C-Reactive Protein

The large surface area/volume ratio and controllable surface conformation of electrospun nanofibers (ENFs) make them highly attractive in applications where a large surface area is desired, such as sensors and affinity membranes. In this study, nanocomposite-based ENFs were produced and immobilization of Anti-CRP was carried out for the non-invasive detection of C-reactive protein (CRP). Initially, the synthesis of graphene oxide (GO) was carried out and it was modified with magnetic nanoparticles (MNP, Fe₃O₄) and polydopamine (PDA). Catechol-containing and quinone-containing functional groups were created on the nanocomposite surface for the immobilization of Anti-CRP. Polystyrene (PS) solution was mixed with rGO-MNP-PDA nanocomposite and PS/rGO-MNP-PDA ENFs were produced with bead-free, smooth, and uniform. The surface of the screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) was covered with PS/rGO-MNP-PDA ENFs by using the electrospinning technique under the determined optimum conditions. Next, Anti-CRP immobilization was carried out and the biofunctional surface was created on the PS/rGO-MNP-PDA ENFs coated SPCE. Moreover, PS/rGO-PDA/Anti-CRP and PS/MNP-PDA/Anti-CRP immunosensors were also prepared and the effect of each component in the nanocomposite-based electrospun nanofiber (MNP, rGO) on the sensor response was investigated. The analytic performance of the developed PS/rGO-MNP-PDA/Anti-CRP, PS/rGO-PDA/Anti-CRP, and PS/MNP-PDA/Anti-CRP immunosensors were examined by performing electrochemical measurements in the presence of CRP. The linear detection range of PS/rGO-MNP-PDA/Anti-CRP immunosensor was found to be from 0.5 to 60 ng/mL and the limit of detection (LOD) was calculated as 0.33 ng/mL for CRP. The PS/rGO-MNP-PDA/Anti-CRP immunosensor also exhibited good repeatability with a low coefficient of variation.

Overview on the Design of Magnetically Assisted Electrochemical Biosensors

Electrochemical biosensors generally require the immobilization of recognition elements or capture probes on the electrode surface. This may limit their practical applications due to the complex operation procedure and low repeatability and stability. Magnetically assisted biosensors show remarkable advantages in separation and pre-concentration of targets from complex biological samples. More importantly, magnetically assisted sensing systems show high throughput since the magnetic materials can be produced and preserved on a large scale. In this work, we summarized the design of electrochemical biosensors involving magnetic materials as the platforms for recognition reaction and target conversion. The recognition reactions usually include antigen-antibody, DNA hybridization, and aptamer-target interactions. By conjugating an electroactive probe to biomolecules attached to magnetic materials, the complexes can be accumulated near to an electrode surface with the aid of external magnet field, producing an easily measurable redox current. The redox current can be further enhanced by enzymes, nanomaterials, DNA assemblies, and thermal-cycle or isothermal amplification. In magnetically assisted assays, the magnetic substrates are removed by a magnet after the target conversion, and the signal can be monitored through stimuli-response release of signal reporters, enzymatic production of electroactive species, or target-induced generation of messenger DNA.

Nanomaterials-based electrochemical sensors for the detection of natural antioxidants in food and biological samples: research progress

Antioxidants are healthy substances that are beneficial to the human body and exist mainly in natural and synthetic forms. Among many kinds of antioxidants, the natural antioxidants have great applications in many fields such as food chemistry, medical care, and clinical application. In recent years, many efforts have been made for the determination of natural antioxidants. Nano-electrochemical sensors combining electrochemistry and nanotechnology have been widely used in the determination of natural antioxidants due to their unique advantages. Therefore, a large number of nanomaterials such as metal oxide, carbon materials, and conducting polymer have attracted much attention in the field of electrochemical sensors due to their good catalytic effect and stable performance. This review mainly introduces the construction of electrochemical sensors based on different nanomaterials, such as metallic nanomaterials, metal oxide nanomaterials, carbon nanomaterials, metal-organic frameworks, polymer nanomaterials, and other nanocomposites, and their application to the detection of natural antioxidants, including ascorbic acid, phenolic acids, flavonoid, tryptophan, citric acid, and other natural antioxidants. In the end, the limitations of the existing nano-sensing technology, the latest development trend, and the application prospect for various natural antioxidant substances are summarized and analyzed. We expect that this review will be helpful to researchers engaged in electrochemical sensors.

A Review on Electrochemical Sensors and Biosensors Used in Assessing Antioxidant Activity

Currently, there is growing interest in screening and quantifying antioxidants from biological samples in the quest for natural and effective antioxidants to combat free radical-related pathological complications. Antioxidants play an important role in human health and provide a defense against many diseases. Due to the valuable dietary role of these compounds, the analysis and determination of their amount in food is of particular importance. In recent years, many attempts have been made to provide simple, fast, and economical analytical approaches for the on-site detection and determination of antioxidant activity in food antioxidants. In this regard, electrochemical sensors and biosensors are considered promising tools for antioxidant research due to their high sensitivity, fast response time, and ease of miniaturization; thus, they are used in a variety of fields, including food analysis, drug screening, and toxicity research. Herein, we review the recent advances in sensors and biosensors for the detection of antioxidants, underlying principles, and emphasizing advantages, along with limitations regarding the ability to discriminate between the specific antioxidant or quantifying total antioxidant content. In this work, both direct and indirect methods for antioxidants detecting with electrochemical sensors and biosensors are analyzed in detail. This review aims to prove how electrochemical sensors and biosensors represent reliable alternatives to conventional methods for antioxidant analysis.

Recent Advancements in Smart Biogenic Packaging: Reshaping the Future of the Food Packaging Industry

Due to their complete non-biodegradability, current food packages have resulted in major environmental issues. Today’s smart consumer is looking for alternatives that are environmentally friendly, durable, recyclable, and naturally rather than synthetically derived. It is a well-established fact that complete replacement with environmentally friendly packaging materials is unattainable, and bio-based plastics should be the future of the food packaging industry. Natural biopolymers and nanotechnological interventions allow the creation of new, high-performance, light-weight, and environmentally friendly composite materials, which can replace non-biodegradable plastic packaging materials. This review summarizes the recent advancements in smart biogenic packaging, focusing on the shift from conventional to natural packaging, properties of various biogenic packaging materials, and the amalgamation of technologies, such as nanotechnology and encapsulation; to develop active and intelligent biogenic systems, such as the use of biosensors in food packaging. Lastly, challenges and opportunities in biogenic packaging are described, for their application in sustainable food packing systems.

Simple and fast Ag deposition method using a redox enzyme label and quinone substrate for the sensitive electrochemical detection of thyroid-stimulating hormone

Enzyme-induced seedless Ag deposition is useful for selective Ag deposition and subsequent electrochemical Ag oxidation; however, a washing step is required after the deposition and before the electrochemical oxidation as the enzyme substrate can be oxidized during the electrochemical oxidation. Here, we report a fast Ag deposition method using a redox enzyme and quinone substrate that does not require a washing step. We found that the quinone substrate is reduced by a redox enzyme label, which is later oxidized to its original form via the reduction of Ag⁺ to Ag. Moreover, the quinone substrate is not electrochemically oxidized during the electrochemical Ag oxidation. We selected one diaphorase and 1,4-naphthoquinone from among seven redox enzymes (four diaphorases and three glucose-oxidizing enzymes) and six quinones, respectively. We applied this Ag deposition method for the detection of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) over a dynamic range from 100 fg/mL to 100 ng/mL and found that TSH could be detected at concentrations as low as approximately 100 fg/mL in artificial serum. Therefore, the Ag deposition strategy developed in this study exhibits promising potential for ultrasensitive clinical applications.

Electrochemical Sensor Based on ZnFe2O4/RGO Nanocomposite for Ultrasensitive Detection of Hydrazine in Real Samples

We have developed a highly sensitive sensor of ZnFe₂O₄/reduced graphene oxide (ZnFe₂O₄/RGO) nanocomposite for electrochemical detection of hydrazine, fabricated by a simple hydrothermal protocol. Subsequently, a screen-printed electrode (SPE) surface was modified with the proposed nanocomposite (ZnFe₂O₄/RGO/SPE), and revealed an admirable electrocatalytic capacity for hydrazine oxidation. The ZnFe₂O₄/RGO/SPE sensor could selectively determine micromolar hydrazine concentrations. The as-produced sensor demonstrated excellent ability to detect hydrazine due to the synergistic impacts of the unique electrocatalytic capacity of ZnFe₂O₄ plus the potent physicochemical features of RGO such as manifold catalytic sites, great area-normalized edge-plane structures, high conductivity, and large surface area. The hydrazine detection using differential pulse voltammetry exhibited a broad linear dynamic range (0.03–610.0 µM) with a low limit of detection (0.01 µM).

Electrochemical Sensors for Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing: Strategies and Applications

Increasing awareness of the impacts of infectious diseases has driven the development of advanced techniques for detecting pathogens in clinical and environmental settings. However, this process is hindered by the complexity and variability inherent in antibiotic-resistant species. A great deal of effort has been put into the development of antibiotic-resistance/susceptibility testing (AST) sensors and systems to administer proper drugs for patient-tailored therapy. Electrochemical sensors have garnered increasing attention due to their powerful potential to allow rapid, sensitive, and real-time monitoring, alongside the low-cost production, feasibility of minimization, and easy integration with other techniques. This review focuses on the recent advances in electrochemical sensing strategies that have been used to determine the level of antibiotic resistance/susceptibility of pathogenic bacteria. The recent examples of the current electrochemical AST sensors discussed here are classified into four categories according to what is detected and quantitated: the presence of antibiotic-resistant genes, changes in impedance caused by cell lysis, current response caused by changes in cellular membrane properties, and changes in the redox state of redox molecules. It also discusses potential strategies for the development of electrochemical AST sensors, with the goal of broadening their practical applications across various scientific and technological fields.

Functionalized Fe3O4 Nanoparticles as Glassy Carbon Electrode Modifiers for Heavy Metal Ions Detection-A Mini Review

Over the past few decades, nanoparticles of iron oxide Fe3O4 (magnetite) gained significant attention in both basic studies and many practical applications. Their unique properties such as superparamagnetism, low toxicity, synthesis simplicity, high surface area to volume ratio, simple separation methodology by an external magnetic field, and renewability are the reasons for their successful utilisation in environmental remediation, biomedical, and agricultural applications. Moreover, the magnetite surface modification enables the successful binding of various analytes. In this work, we discuss the usage of core-shell nanoparticles and nanocomposites based on Fe3O4 for the modification of the GC electrode surface. Furthermore, this review focuses on the heavy metal ions electrochemical detection using Fe3O4-based nanoparticles-modified electrodes. Moreover, the most frequently used electrochemical methods, such as differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry and measurement conditions, including deposition potential, deposition time, and electrolyte selection, are discussed.

Development of a Dy2O3@Eu2O3-carbon nanofiber based electrode for highly sensitive detection of papaverine

A sensitive electrochemical method based on carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and bimetallic nanoparticles of dysprosium oxide (Dy₂O₃) and europium oxide (Eu₂O₃) was developed for the determination of papaverine in pharmaceuticals and human urine. Several electrodes were compared in respect to their electrochemically active surface area calculated as 0.0603, 0.1300, 0.3440, 0.3740 and 0.4990 cm² for bare GCE, CNFs/GCE, Eu₂O₃-CNFs/GCE, Dy₂O₃-CNFs/GCE and Dy₂O₃@Eu₂O₃-CNFs/GCE, respectively. Electrodes were also compared in respect to their performance towards the voltammetric process of papaverine. The peak potential (Epa) of papaverine was 1.094 V, 0.993 V, 0.978 V, 0.969 V and 0.966 V at unmodified GCE, CNFs/GCE, Eu₂O₃-CNFs/GCE, Dy₂O₃-CNFs/GCE and Dy₂O₃@Eu₂O₃-CNFs/GCE, respectively. This indicated that the oxidation peak potential of papaverine shifted gradually towards the negative potentials and the peak current increased gradually from unmodified GCE to CNFs/GCE, Eu₂O₃-CNFs/GCE, Dy₂O₃-CNFs/GCE and Dy₂O₃@Eu₂O₃-CNFs/GCE. The influence of experimental parameters such as scan rate and pH on the voltammetry of papaverine was studied. The Dy₂O₃@Eu₂O₃-CNFs/GCE system presented a dynamic working range between 1.0 × 10^-7 and 2.0 × 10^-6 M with a detection limit of 1.0 × 10^-8 M for papaverine. The platform (Dy₂O₃@Eu₂O₃-CNFs/GCE) exhibited excellent sensitivity and selectivity for papaverine in the presence of uric acid and was successfully applied for determining papaverine in pharmaceuticals and urine samples.

Enhancing the chloramphenicol sensing performance of Cu-MoS2 nanocomposite-based electrochemical nanosensors: roles of phase composition and copper loading amount

The rational design of nanomaterials for electrochemical nanosensors from the perspective of structure–property–performance relationships is a key factor in improving the analytical performance toward residual antibiotics in food. We have investigated the effects of the crystalline phase and copper loading amount on the detection performance of Cu–MoS₂ nanocomposite-based electrochemical sensors for the antibiotic chloramphenicol (CAP). The phase composition and copper loading amount on the MoS₂ nanosheets can be controlled using a facile electrochemical method. Cu and Cu₂O nanoparticle-based electrochemical sensors showed a higher CAP electrochemical sensing performance as compared to CuO nanoparticles due to their higher electrocatalytic activity and conductivity. Moreover, the design of Cu–MoS₂ nanocomposites with appropriate copper loading amounts could significantly improve their electrochemical responses for CAP. Under optimized conditions, Cu–MoS₂ nanocomposite-based electrochemical nanosensor showed a remarkable sensing performance for CAP with an electrochemical sensitivity of 1.74 μA μM⁻¹ cm⁻² and a detection limit of 0.19 μM in the detection range from 0.5–50 μM. These findings provide deeper insight into the effects of nanoelectrode designs on the analytical performance of electrochemical nanosensors.

In this work, we clarify the roles of phase composition and copper loading amount on the CAP sensing performance of Cu–MoS₂ nanocomposite-based electrochemical nanosensors.

Magnetism of Nanoparticles: Effect of the Organic Coating

The design of novel multifunctional materials based on nanoparticles requires tuning of their magnetic properties, which are strongly dependent on the surface structure. The organic coating represents a unique tool to significantly modify the surface structure trough the bonds between the ligands of the organic molecule and the surface metal atoms. This work presents a critical overview of the effects of the organic coating on the magnetic properties of nanoparticles trough a selection of papers focused on different approaches to control the surface structure and the morphology of nanoparticles’ assemblies.

A series of polyoxometalate-based hybrid complexes constructed by a tripodal ligand containing mixed N/O donors

We designed two synthetic strategies using identical ligands to construct six POM-based complexes. These complexes can act as amperometric sensors for the detection of Cr(vi), Fe(iii) and H2O2 and fluorescence sensors for sensing Cr3+.