A disposable microbial based biosensor for quality control in milk

Watermelon Derived Urease Immobilized Gold Nanoparticles-Graphene Oxide Transducer for Direct Detection of Urea in Milk Samples

Urea contamination in milk poses significant health risks, including kidney failure, urinary tract obstruction, fluid loss, shock, and gastrointestinal bleeding. This highlights the need for sensitive, rapid, and reliable methods to detect traces amount of urea in milk. In this study, we designed an electrochemical transducer for urea detection by utilizing purified watermelon urease (Urs), gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), and graphene oxide (GO). The nanomaterials and biosensor probe were characterized using UV-vis spectroscopy, XPS, TEM, XRD, FTIR, AFM, CV, EIS, and DPV. The engineered probe (GCE/AuNPs/GO/Urs) demonstrated a broad linear detection range of 5 to 90 mg/dL and a low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.037 (±0.012) mg/dL (RSD < 3.7%). The biosensor was tested for potential interferents that may be present in adulterated milk and an exceptionally low coefficient of selectivity (ksel <0.1) was obtained. Evaluation of milk samples from a local dairy farm showed good recovery rates from 93.13% to. 98.79% (RSD < 4.28%, n = 3), indicating reliable detection capabilities. Stability tests confirmed the sensor's reproducibility and consistent performance. Additionally, a comparison study of the system was carried out using the purified watermelon urease and the commercially available urease. Herein, the results obtained using the sensor probe was finally validated with the gold standard method.

Digital filtering dissemination for optimizing impedance cytometry signal quality and counting accuracy

Improving biosensor performance which utilize impedance cytometry is a highly interested research topic for many clinical and diagnostic settings. During development, a sensor's design and external factors are rigorously optimized, but improvements in signal quality and interpretation are usually still necessary to produce a sensitive and accurate product. A common solution involves digital signal processing after sample analysis, but these methods frequently fall short in providing meaningful signal outcome changes. This shortcoming may arise from a lack of investigative research into selecting and using signal processing functions, as many choices in current sensors are based on either theoretical results or estimated hypotheses. While a ubiquitous condition set is improbable across diverse impedance cytometry designs, there lies a need for a streamlined and rapid analytical method for discovering those conditions for unique sensors. Herein, we present a comprehensive dissemination of digital filtering parameters applied on experimental impedance cytometry data for determining the limits of signal processing on signal quality improvements. Various filter orders, cutoff frequencies, and filter types are applied after data collection for highest achievable noise reduction. After designing and fabricating a microfluidic impedance cytometer, 9 µm polystyrene particles were measured under flow and signal quality improved by 6.09 dB when implementing digital filtering. This approached was then translated to isolated human neutrophils, where similarly, signal quality improved by 7.50 dB compared to its unfiltered original data. By sweeping all filtering conditions and devising a system to evaluate filtering performance both by signal quality and object counting accuracy, this may serve as a framework for future systems to determine their appropriately optimized filtering configuration.

p-Dimethylaminobenzaldehyde-based chemosensor for on-site sensing of ammonia precursor in concrete

A chemosensor for on-site sensing of ammonia precursor in concrete to avoid a problem of ammonia emission into the indoor space of concrete buildings was designed and implemented. It was found that aqueous extracts of concrete samples containing antifreeze additives and excreting ammonia were colored in the presence of p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde. This phenomenon was used for the fast visual sensing of main ammonia precursor (urea) in concrete for the first time. The developed sensor consisted of a sensing solid phase based on an adsorbent modified with p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde. Various adsorbents were investigated for the immobilization of the reagent and it was established that silica adsorbent Silochrom C-120 provided effective retention of the reagent and Schiff's base formation during the sampling. Moreover, Silochrom C-120 modified with ascorbic acid was proposed to eliminate the oxidant interference. The sensor displayed excellent selectivity and sensitivity with the visual detection limit of 15 mg kg^-1 in terms of urea. The chemosensor was successfully applied by builders on different construction sites. Sample preparation and sensing times were about 2 min and 1 min, respectively.

Why ammonium detection is particularly challenging but insightful with ionophore-based potentiometric sensors – an overview of the progress in the last 20 years

An overview of ionophore-based electrodes for ammonium sensing critically analyzing contributions in the last 20 years and with focus in analytical applications.

Acetylcholinesterase Biosensor Based On Mesoporous Hollow Carbon Spheres/Core-Shell Magnetic Nanoparticles-Modified Electrode for the Detection of Organophosphorus Pesticides

The present study investigated the synthesis of mesoporous hollow carbon spheres (MHCS) and magnetic mesoporous hollow carbon spheres with core-shell structures (Fe₃O₄@MHCS). Two acetylcholinesterase sensors (acetylcholinesterase/mesoporous hollow carbon spheres/glassy carbon electrode (AChE/MHCS/GCE) and acetylcholinesterase/core-shell magnetic mesoporous hollow carbon spheres/glassy carbon electrode (AChE/Fe₃O₄@MHCS/GCE) based on mesoporous carbon materials were prepared. Under the optimum conditions, using Malathion as the model compound, the developed biosensors showed a wide detection range, low detection limit, good reproducibility, and high stability. The AChE/MHCS/GCE electrochemical sensor response exhibited two good linear ranges at the incubation time of 10 min at the Malathion concentration ranges of 0.01 to 100 ppb and 100 to 600 ppb, with a detection limit of 0.0148 ppb (S/N = 3). The AChE/Fe₃O₄@MHCS/GCE electrochemical sensor that was operated with an incubation time of 12 min at the malathion concentration ranges between 0.01–50 ppb and 50–600 ppb had a detection limit of 0.0182 ppb (S/N = 3). Moreover, the AChE/MHCS/GCE and AChE/Fe₃O₄@MHCS/GCE biosensors were effective for the detection of real samples, and were demonstrated to be suitable for the field-testing of organophosphorus pesticide (OP) residues.

Determination of urea with special emphasis on biosensors: A review

Urea is the major end product of nitrogen metabolism in humans, which is eliminated from the body mainly by the kidneys through urine but is also secreted in body fluids such as blood and saliva. Its level in urine ranges from 7 to 20 mg/dL, which drastically rises under patho-physiological conditions thus providing key information of renal function and diagnosis of various kidney and liver disorders. Increase in urea levels in blood, also referred to as azotemia or uremia. The chronic kidney disease (CKD) or end stage renal disease (ESRD) is generally caused due to the progressive loss of kidney function. Hence, there is an urgent need of determination of urea in biological fluids to diagnose these diseases at their early stage. Among the various methods available for detection of urea, most are complicated and require time-consuming sample pre-treatment, expensive instrumental set-up and trained persons to operate, specifically for chromatographic methods. The biosensing methods overcome these drawbacks, as these are simple, fast, specific and highly sensitive and can also be applied for detection of urea in vivo. This review presents the principles of various analytical methods for determination of urea with special emphasis on biosensors. The use of various nanostructures and electrochemical microfluidic paper based analytical device (EμPAD) are suggested for further development of urea biosensors.

Helicobacter pylori: A foodborne pathogen?

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is an organism that is widespread in the human population and is sometimes responsible for some of the most common chronic clinical disorders of the upper gastrointestinal tract in humans, such as chronic-active gastritis, duodenal and gastric ulcer disease, low-grade B-cell mucosa associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma of the stomach, and gastric adenocarcinoma, which is the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide. The routes of infection have not yet been firmly established, and different routes of transmission have been suggested, although the most commonly accepted hypothesis is that infection takes place through the faecal-oral route and that contaminated water and foods might play an important role in transmission of the microorganism to humans. Furthermore, several authors have considered H. pylori to be a foodborne pathogen because of some of its microbiological and epidemiological characteristics. H. pylori has been detected in drinking water, seawater, vegetables and foods of animal origin. H. pylori survives in complex foodstuffs such as milk, vegetables and ready-to-eat foods. This review article presents an overview of the present knowledge on the microbiological aspects in terms of phenotypic characteristics and growth requirements of H. pylori, focusing on the potential role that foodstuffs and water may play in the transmission of the pathogen to humans and the methods successfully used for the detection of this microorganism in foodstuffs and water.

Blueprints for Biosensors: Design, Limitations, and Applications

Biosensors are enabling major advances in the field of analytics that are both facilitating and being facilitated by advances in synthetic biology. The ability of biosensors to rapidly and specifically detect a wide range of molecules makes them highly relevant to a range of industrial, medical, ecological, and scientific applications. Approaches to biosensor design are as diverse as their applications, with major biosensor classes including nucleic acids, proteins, and transcription factors. Each of these biosensor types has advantages and limitations based on the intended application, and the parameters that are required for optimal performance. Specifically, the choice of biosensor design must consider factors such as the ligand specificity, sensitivity, dynamic range, functional range, mode of output, time of activation, ease of use, and ease of engineering. This review discusses the rationale for designing the major classes of biosensor in the context of their limitations and assesses their suitability to different areas of biotechnological application.

Toxicity assessment using different bioassays and microbial biosensors

Toxicity assessment of water streams, wastewater, and contaminated sediments, is a very important part of environmental pollution monitoring. Evaluation of biological effects using a rapid, sensitive and cost effective method can indicate specific information on ecotoxicity assessment. Recently, different biological assays for toxicity assessment based on higher and lower organisms such as fish, invertebrates, plants and algal cells, and microbial bioassays have been used. This review focuses on microbial biosensors as an analytical device for environmental, food, and biomedical applications. Different techniques which are commonly used in microbial biosensing include amperometry, potentiometry, conductometry, voltammetry, microbial fuel cells, fluorescence, bioluminescence, and colorimetry. Examples of the use of different microbial biosensors in assessing a variety of environments are summarized.

Biosensor technology for pesticides--a review

Pesticides, due to their lucrative outcomes, are majorly implicated in agricultural fields for crop production enhancement. Due to their pest removal properties, pesticides of various classes have been designed to persist in the environment over a longer duration after their application to achieve maximum effectiveness. Apart from their recalcitrant structure and agricultural benefits, pesticides also impose acute toxicological effects onto the other various life forms. Their accumulation in the living system may prove to be detrimental if established in higher concentrations. Thus, their prompt and accurate analysis is a crucial matter of concern. Conventional techniques like chromatographic techniques (HPLC, GC, etc.) used for pesticides detection are associated with various limitations like stumpy sensitivity and efficiency, time consumption, laboriousity, requirement of expensive equipments and highly trained technicians, and many more. So there is a need to recruit the methods which can detect these neurotoxic compounds sensitively, selectively, rapidly, and easily in the field. Present work is a brief review of the pesticide effects, their current usage scenario, permissible limits in various food stuffs and 21st century advancements of biosensor technology for pesticide detection. Due to their exceptional performance capabilities, easiness in operation and on-site working, numerous biosensors have been developed for bio-monitoring of various environmental samples for pesticide evaluation immensely throughout the globe. Till date, based on sensing element (enzyme based, antibody based, etc.) and type of detection method used (Electrochemical, optical, and piezoelectric, etc.), a number of biosensors have been developed for pesticide detection. In present communication, authors have summarized 21st century's approaches of biosensor technology for pesticide detection such as enzyme-based biosensors, immunosensors, aptamers, molecularly imprinted polymers, and biochips technology. Also, the major technological advancements of nanotechnology in the field of biosensor technology are discussed. Various biosensors mentioned in manuscript are found to exhibit storage stability of biocomponent ranging from 30-60 days, detection limit of 10(-6) - 10(-16) M, response time of 1-20 min and applications of developed biosensors in environmental samples (water, food, vegetables, milk, and juice samples, etc.) are also discussed. Researchers all over the globe are working towards the development of different biosensing techniques based on contrast approaches for the detection of pesticides in various environmental samples.

Monitoring the quality of perishable foods: opportunities for intelligent packaging

This review paper discusses opportunities for intelligent packaging for monitoring directly or indirectly quality attributes of perishable packaged foods. The possible roles of intelligent packaging as a tool in supply chain management are discussed as well as the barriers to implement this kind of technology in commercial applications. Cases on pasteurized milk and fresh cod fillets illustrate the application of different intelligent packaging concepts to monitor and estimate quality attributes. Conditions influencing quality (e.g., temperature-time) can be monitored to predict the quality of perishable products when the initial quality is known and rather constant (e.g., pasteurized milk). Products with a highly variable initial quality (e.g., fresh fish) require sensors monitoring compounds correlated with quality.

Single HeLa and MCF-7 cell measurement using minimized impedance spectroscopy and microfluidic device

This study presents an impedance measurement system for single-cell capture and measurement. The microwell structure which utilizes nDEP force is used to single-cell capture and a minimized impedance spectroscopy which includes a power supply chip, an impedance measurement chip and a USB microcontroller chip is used to single-cell impedance measurement. To improve the measurement accuracy of the proposed system, Biquadratic fitting is used in this study. The measurement accuracy and reliability of the proposed system are compared to those of a conventional precision impedance analyzer. Moreover, a stable material, latex beads, is used to study the impedance measurement using the minimized impedance spectroscopy with cell-trapping device. Finally, the proposed system is used to measure the impedance of HeLa cells and MCF-7 cells. The impedance of single HeLa cells decreased from 9.55 × 10(3) to 3.36 × 10(3) Ω and the impedance of single MCF-7 cells decreased from 3.48 × 10(3) to 1.45 × 10(3) Ω at an operate voltage of 0.5 V when the excitation frequency was increased from 11 to 101 kHz. The results demonstrate that the proposed impedance measurement system successfully distinguishes HeLa cells and MCF-7 cells.

Integration of single-cell trapping and impedance measurement utilizing microwell electrodes

The ability to research individual cells has been seen as important in many kinds of biological studies. In the present study, cell impedance analysis is integrated into a single-cell trapping structure. For the purpose of precise positioning, a cell manipulation and measurement microchip, which uses an alternating current electrothermal effect (ACET) and a negative dielectrophoresis (nDEP) force to move a particle and cell on measurement electrodes, is developed. An ACET and an nDEP can be easily combined with subsequent analyses based on electric fields. A microwell presented in a previous study is separated into two parts, which are regarded as the measurement electrodes. The original structure is modified for precise positioning. Numerical simulations and analyses are conducted to compute and analyze the effects of the structural parameters. The results of simulations and analyses are used to obtain the optimum structure for the cell. The capture range of the microwell can be designed for cells of various sizes. In order to demonstrate the precision of the positioning, a particle is captured, measured, and released twice. The results show that the impedance error of the particle is about 3%. Finally, the developed structure is applied to trap and measure the impedance of a HeLa cell.

A method for estimation of urea using ammonia electrode and its applicability to milk samples

A method for the estimation of urea in milk using ammonia electrode is described. Urea is first degraded by urease enzyme into ammonium ion and carbon dioxide at neutral pH. The ammonium ion is then converted into ammonia at alkaline pH. A linear inverse relationship was observed between logarithmic concentration of ammonia or urea and electrode response. Repeatability, expressed as a coefficient of variation, was 1·77% at a level of 8·92 mm-urea in milk. The method was validated in milk samples spiked with between 2×10−3 and 10×10−3 m-urea and recovery of added urea was quantitative. Whereas, preservative sodium azide at 0·5 g/l or 2 g/l level did not affect results, lower values of urea concentration in presence of Bronopol at 0·5 g/l were observed. Urea levels in milk samples estimated by this method were comparable to standard enzymatic method. The method is simple, fast and is not prone to interference from other milk constituents.

Microfluidic device for cell capture and impedance measurement

This work presents a microfluidic device to capture physically single cells within microstructures inside a channel and to measure the impedance of a single HeLa cell (human cervical epithelioid carcinoma) using impedance spectroscopy. The device includes a glass substrate with electrodes and a PDMS channel with micro pillars. The commercial software CFD-ACE+ is used to study the flow of the microstructures in the channel. According to simulation results, the probability of cell capture by three micro pillars is about 10%. An equivalent circuit model of the device is established and fits closely to the experimental results. The circuit can be modeled electrically as cell impedance in parallel with dielectric capacitance and in series with a pair of electrode resistors. The system is operated at low frequency between 1 and 100 kHz. In this study, experiments show that the HeLa cell is successfully captured by the micro pillars and its impedance is measured by impedance spectroscopy. The magnitude of the HeLa cell impedance declines at all operation voltages with frequency because the HeLa cell is capacitive. Additionally, increasing the operation voltage reduces the magnitude of the HeLa cell because a strong electric field may promote the exchange of ions between the cytoplasm and the isotonic solution. Below an operating voltage of 0.9 V, the system impedance response is characteristic of a parallel circuit at under 30 kHz and of a series circuit at between 30 and 100 kHz. The phase of the HeLa cell impedance is characteristic of a series circuit when the operation voltage exceeds 0.8 V because the cell impedance becomes significant.

Development of a perchlorate reductase-based biosensor for real time analysis of perchlorate in water

Perchlorate (ClO4-) contamination of ground water is a widespread problem in the U.S., which can adversely affect human health and wildlife. Current methods for detecting and quantifying ClO4- in water are time consuming, expensive and sometimes subject to complex procedures. This study reports the construction of a ClO4- reductase-based biosensor for rapid determination of ClO4- in water. Using a 3 mm GCE (glass carbon electrode), a ClO4- sensing bio-electrode was constructed by coating an aliquot of a Dechlorosoma sp. ClO4- reductase on nafion (ion-exchange matrix) layer pre-coated on the polished surface of the GCE. The response time to ClO4- was approximately 111+/-28 s. Kinetic evaluation of the sensor response to ClO4- revealed linear increases (r2>99%) in 10 min with k values of 10.3, 24.2, 33.9 and 48.2 at 25, 50, 75 and 100 microg/L, respectively. A strong linear correlation was established between biosensor response (nA) and ion-chromatography conductivity readings (microS). Biosensor response to ClO4- was maximal at applied potential range of -0.6 to -1.0 V. ClO4- reduction was maximal in the range of 7.6 to 8.0. The ClO4- biosensor was significantly stable after repeated use (24 analyses conducted on day 1 over a 10-h period at room temperature). This study indicates great potential for the development of a portable biosensor for real time analysis of ClO4- in water.

Survival of Helicobacter pylori in artificially contaminated ultrahigh temperature and pasteurized milk

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a very important bacterial pathogen of humans which may cause gastrointestinal illnesses ranging from gastric and duodenal ulcers to neoplastic diseases such as MALToma and gastric cancer. Transmission via contaminated food is still uncertain but several authors believe this can realistically occur and milk may act as a vehicle of infection. This paper reports the results of H. pylori survival trials in pasteurized and ultrahigh temperature (UHT) milks artificially contaminated and aerobically stored at 4 degrees C. The results obtained showed that the four strains used in this study (H. pylori nat 18-19-20 and H. pylori ATCC 43504), had a progressive reduction in bacterial load with a median survival of 9 days in pasteurized milk and 12 days in UHT milk, with approximate average of initial inoculum of 10(5) and 10(6)cfu/ml, respectively. These findings are very important to clarify the route of transmission of H. pylori to humans via food and for implementation of a correct risk analysis for food safety purposes.

Optical microbial biosensor for detection of methyl parathion pesticide using Flavobacterium sp. whole cells adsorbed on glass fiber filters as disposable biocomponent

An optical microbial biosensor was described for the detection of methyl parathion pesticide. Whole cells of Flavobacterium sp. were immobilized by trapping in glass fiber filter and were used as biocomponent along with optic fiber system. Flavobacterium sp. has the organophosphorus hydrolase enzyme, which hydrolyzes the methyl parathion into detectable product p-nitrophenol. The immobilized microbial biocomponent was disposable, cost-effective and showed high reproducibility and uniformity. The detection of methyl parathion by the use of disposable microbial biocomponent with optical biosensor was simple, single step and direct measurement of very low quantity of the sample. The home made reaction vessel was small and needed only 75 microl of sample. A lower detection limit 0.3 microM methyl parathion was estimated from the linear range (4-80 microM) of calibration plot of organophosphorus hydrolase enzymatic assay. The applicability to synthetic methyl parathion spiked samples was demonstrated.

Microbial biosensors

A microbial biosensor is an analytical device that couples microorganisms with a transducer to enable rapid, accurate and sensitive detection of target analytes in fields as diverse as medicine, environmental monitoring, defense, food processing and safety. The earlier microbial biosensors used the respiratory and metabolic functions of the microorganisms to detect a substance that is either a substrate or an inhibitor of these processes. Recently, genetically engineered microorganisms based on fusing of the lux, gfp or lacZ gene reporters to an inducible gene promoter have been widely applied to assay toxicity and bioavailability. This paper reviews the recent trends in the development and application of microbial biosensors. Current advances and prospective future direction in developing microbial biosensor have also been discussed.

Biosensors for heavy metals

A biosensor is an analytical device that consists of an immobilized biocomponent in conjunction with a transducer, and represents a synergistic combination of biotechnology and microelectronics. This review summarizes the use of biosensors for detecting and quantifying heavy metal ions. Heavy metal contamination is of serious concern to human health since these substances are non-biodegradable and retained by the ecological system. Conventional analytical techniques for heavy metals (such as cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) are precise but suffer from the disadvantages of high cost, the need for trained personnel and the fact that they are mostly laboratory bound. Biosensors have the advantages of specificity, low cost, ease of use, portability and the ability to furnish continuous real time signals. The analysis of heavy metal ions can be carried out with biosensors by using both protein (enzyme, metal-binding protein and antibody)-based and whole-cell (natural and genetically engineered microorganism)-based approaches.

The application of biosensors to fresh produce and the wider food industry

The inherent specificity, selectivity, and adaptability of biosensors make them ideal candidates for use throughout the food industry. Potential applications within the supply chain range from testing of foodstuffs for maximum pesticide residue verification through to the routine analysis of analyte(s) concentrations, such as, glucose, sucrose, alcohol, etc., which may be indicators of food quality/acceptability. Biosensor formats include simple "one-shot" disposable devices that can be used either in the field or integrated into more sophisticated laboratory instruments. Until now, the main impact of these devices has been in the medical diagnostics field. However, with ongoing technical development, the food industry will be one of the prime beneficiaries of biosensor technology in the future. This report assesses the current and future trends in the application of biosensors to fresh produce and the wider food industry, focusing on both potential and current target analytes that are fundamental to fresh produce quality, traceability, and safety.