A simple and effective method for smartphone-based detection of polyamines in oral cancer

Oral cancer accounts for 50%-70% of all cancer-related deaths in India and ranks sixth among the most frequent cancers globally. Roughly 90% of oral malignancies are histologically arise from squamous cells and are therefore called oral squamous cell carcinoma. Organic polycations known as biogenic polyamines, for example, putrescine (Put), spermidine (Spd), and spermine (Spm), are vital for cell proliferation, including gene expression control, regulation of endonuclease-mediated fragmentation of DNA, and DNA damage inhibition. Higher Spm and Spd levels have been identified as cancer biomarkers for detecting tumour development in various cancers. The current study utilises tannic acid, a polyphenolic compound, as a reducing and capping agent to fabricate AuNPs via a one-step microwave-assisted synthesis. The fabricated TA@AuNPs were utilised as a nanoprobe for colourimetric sensing of polyamines in PBS. When TA@AuNPs are added to the polyamine, the amine groups in polyamines interact with the phenolic groups of TA@AuNPs via hydrogen bonding or electrostatic interactions. These interactions cause the aggregation of TA@AuNPs, resulting in a red shift of the Surface Plasmon Resonance band of TA@AuNPs from 530 nm to 560 nm. The nanoprobe was found to be highly specific for Spm at low concentrations. TA@AuNPs were able to detect Spm successfully in artificial saliva samples. On recording the RGB values of the sensing process using a smartphone app, it was found that as the nanoparticles aggregated due to the presence of Spm, the intensity of theR-value decreased, indicating the aggregation of TA@AuNPs due to interaction with the polyamine.

Synthesis of molecularly imprinted polymer as a nanosorbent for dispersive magnetic micro solid-phase extraction and determination of valsartan in biological samples by UV-Vis Spectrophotometry: Isotherm, kinetics, and thermodynamic studies

A magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) was synthesized by precipitation polymerization utilizing Fe₃O₄@SiO₂-MPS as a magnetic core, itaconic acid as a functional monomer, azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator, and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as a cross linker. It was then applied as a nanosorbent for dispersive magnetic micro solid phase extraction (DM-µ-SPE) and determination of valsartan in biological fluids. The morphology and structure of magnetic MIP were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Field Emission Scanning electron microscopy, Vibrating sample magnetometer, Energy dispersive x-ray analysis, and Thermogravimetric analysis. The influence of operation conditions on sorption, such as pH (4-10), contact time (10-25 min), initial concentration (1-30 mg L^-1), and temperature (25-40 °C) was investigated. After the extraction step, the valsartan concentration was determined by UV-Vis spectrophotometer at 253 nm. The isotherm and kinetic of valsartan sorption were best fitted by the Langmuir model (R² = 0.987) and the Pseudo second-order kinetic model (R² = 0.971), respectively. The maximum monolayer sorption capacity for magnetic MIP was obtained to be 4.56 mg g^-1. The analytical approach demonstrated favorable figures of merit, with a linear dynamic range of 10-100 µg L^-1, a low detection limit of 0.56 µg L^-1, and an acceptable preconcentration factor of 5 acquired in optimum conditions. The recoveries of the suggested technique at three spiked levels of analysis were in the range of 101 %-102 %. Valsartan was extracted from various real samples (urine and human blood plasma samples) utilizing the proposed magnetic nanosorbent, and the results exhibited that magnetic MIP was favorable for extraction and measurement of trace amounts of valsartan in biological samples.

Determination of urinary spermine using controlled dissolution of polysulfide modified gold electrode

Spermine (SPM) is considered a biomarker for prostate cancer and detecting it becomes highly challenging due to its electro- and optical-inactive nature. SPM has a tendency to interact with groups such as phosphates and sulfides to form macrocyclic arrangements known as nuclear aggregates of polyamines. Using this tendency, an electrochemical sensor has been developed using a polysulfide (PS) modified Au electrode (PS@Au electrode). PS has been synthesized from elemental sulfur by hydrothermal method and characterized using UV-Vis, fluorescence, FTIR, SEM, and XPS analyses. The PS@Au electrode was employed for electrochemical sensing of SPM. In the presence of SPM, a decrease in gold oxide reduction current was noted which is proportional to the concentration of SPM. The decrease in gold oxide reduction (0.5 V) current was attributed to the complexing nature of SPM-PS at the electrode interface. The reason for the decrease in current has been substantiated using XRF, XPS, and spectroelectrochemical studies. Under the optimized conditions, the PS@Au electrode exhibited a linear range of 1.55-250 µM with LOD of 0.511 ± 0.02 µM (3σ). The electrochemical strategy for SPM sensing exhibited better selectivity even in the presence of possible interferents. The selectivity stems from the selective interaction of SPM with PS on the Au electrode surface; the tested amino acids, and other molecules do not complex with PS and hence they could not interfere. The PS@Au electrode has been subjected to the determination of SPM in artificial urine samples and exhibited outstanding performance in the synthetic sample.

Magnetic Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for the Separation and Enrichment of Cannabidiol from Hemp Leaf Samples

Cannabidiol (CBD) has attracted immense attention due to its excellent clinical effects in the treatment of various diseases. However, rapid and accurate extraction of CBD from hemp plant concentrates remains a challenge. Thus, novel magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers (CBD-MMIPs) with specific recognizing capability for CBD were synthesized using ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as the cross-linker, CBD as the template, methacrylic acid as the functional monomer, azobisisobutyronitrile as the initiator, and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles modified with SiO₂ as the magnetic carrier. The morphological, magnetic, and adsorption properties of obtained CBD-MMIPs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, surface area and porosity analyses, and various adsorption experiments. The results showed that the CBD-MMIPs had selective specificity and high adsorption capacity for CBD. The adsorption of CBD by CBD-MMIPs could reach equilibrium in a short time (30 min), and the maximum adsorption capacity was as high as 26.51 mg/g. The specific recognition and selectivity properties of CBD-MMIPs to CBD were significantly higher than that of other structural analogues, and the regeneration tests established that the CBD-MMIPs had good recyclability. Furthermore, the CBD-MMIPs could be successfully used as an adsorbent to the extraction of CBD from hemp leaf sample concentrates with high recovery efficiencies (93.46-97.40%).

A Review on Bio- and Chemosensors for the Detection of Biogenic Amines in Food Safety Applications: The Status in 2022

This article provides an overview on the broad topic of biogenic amines (BAs) that are a persistent concern in the context of food quality and safety. They emerge mainly from the decomposition of amino acids in protein-rich food due to enzymes excreted by pathogenic bacteria that infect food under inappropriate storage conditions. While there are food authority regulations on the maximum allowed amounts of, e.g., histamine in fish, sensitive individuals can still suffer from medical conditions triggered by biogenic amines, and mass outbreaks of scombroid poisoning are reported regularly. We review first the classical techniques used for selective BA detection and quantification in analytical laboratories and focus then on sensor-based solutions aiming at on-site BA detection throughout the food chain. There are receptor-free chemosensors for BA detection and a vastly growing range of bio- and biomimetic sensors that employ receptors to enable selective molecular recognition. Regarding the receptors, we address enzymes, antibodies, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), and aptamers as the most recent class of BA receptors. Furthermore, we address the underlying transducer technologies, including optical, electrochemical, mass-sensitive, and thermal-based sensing principles. The review concludes with an assessment on the persistent limitations of BA sensors, a technological forecast, and thoughts on short-term solutions.

A combination of a graphene quantum dots-cationic red dye donor-acceptor pair and cucurbit[7]uril as a supramolecular sensor for ultrasensitive detection of cancer biomarkers spermine and spermidine

In a unique approach, the combination of a donor-acceptor pair of hydroxy graphene quantum dots (GQDs-OH) and a red-emissive donor-two-acceptor (D-2-A) type dye with pyridinium units (BPBP) and the well-known host cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) has been exploited as a supramolecular sensing assembly for the detection of cancer biomarkers spermine and spermidine in aqueous media at the sub-ppb level based on the affinity-driven exchange of guests from the CB[7] portal. In the binary conjugate, green fluorescent GQDs-OH transfers energy to trigger the emission of the dye BPBP and itself remains in the turn-off state. CB[7] withdraws the dye from the surface of GQDs-OH by strong host-guest interactions with its portal, making GQDs-OH fluoresce again to produce a ratiometric response. In the presence of spermine (SP) or spermidine (SPD), their strong affinity with CB[7] forces the ejection of the fluorophore to settle on the GQDs-OH surface, and the strong green emission of GQDs-OH turns off to device a supramolecular sensor for the detection of SP/SPD. The DFT studies revealed interesting excited-state charge-transfer conjugate formation between BPBP and GQDs leading to turn-on emission of the dye, and further supported the stronger binding modes of BPBP-CB[7], indicating the retrieval of the emission of GQDs. The assembly-disassembly based sensing mechanism was also established by Job's plot analysis, particle size analysis, zeta potential, time-resolved spectroscopy, ITC studies, microscopic studies, etc. The supramolecular sensing assembly is highly selective to SP and SPD, and showed nominal interference from other biogenic amines, amino acids, various metal ions, and anions. The limits of detection (LODs) were 0.1 ppb and 0.9 ppb for spermine and spermidine, respectively. The potential for the real-world application of this sensing assembly was demonstrated by spiking SP and SPD in human urine and blood serum with a high %recovery.

An On-off Supramolecular Fluorescence Switch for Detection of Pb2+ Ions and Vitamin C

β-cyclodextrin-hydroxyquinoline functionalized graphene oxide (GO-CD-HQ) was facilely fabricated to monitor and quantitatively analyze cations in aqueous media. The optical probe was notably selective enhanced toward Pb²⁺ ions over the other tested ions like Cu²⁺, Hg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Zn²⁺, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Ag⁺, Mg²⁺, and Cd²⁺ at 468 nm as an emission wavelength. The probe was shown the best performance in pH value, 5, and optimum time 1 min. Absorption spectra have clearly confirmed the static type fluorescence enhancement mechanism of GO-CD-HQ. Under the optimal conditions, the detection limit of it and linear concentration range for Pb²⁺ ions were obtained as 3.72 × 10^-5 M and (5-60) × 10^-5 M, respectively. Additionally, the developed assay exhibited logic gate behavior with Pb²⁺ ions and vitamin C as a masking agent for cited ions.

Supramolecular imaging of spermine in cancer cells

As an important biomarker, the overexpressed spermine has been widely investigated for cancer diagnosis and treatment. However, bioimaging of spermine in living cells is still a formidable challenge. Herein, we design a supramolecular imaging ensemble for spermine by the host-guest complexation of amphiphilic sulfonatocalix[5]arene (SC5A12C) assembly with lucigenin (LCG). Strong binding ability and complexation-induced fluorescence quenching properties enable SC5A12C to quench the fluorescence of LCG dramatically and to recover it completely due to the competition of overexpressed spermine in cancer cells. SC5A12C also exhibits excellent biocompatibility and promotes cellular uptake due to its ability to form ultra-stable assembly. Co-assembling folate further promotes the cellular uptake of folate receptor overexpressed cancer cells, contributing to enhanced bioimaging.

Synthesis and characterization of magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers for effective extraction and determination of kaempferol from apple samples

The specific of magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers (Fe3O4@SiO2-MIPs) for kaempferol were fabricated by using acrylamide (AM) as the functional monomer, azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as the initiator and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as the cross-linker. The Fe3O4@SiO2-MIPs showed high adsorption capacity (3.84 mg/g) for kaempferol, and the adsorption equilibrium was achieved within 50 min. The specific recognition capacity of Fe3O4@SiO2-MIPs was 3.02 times as high as that of Fe3O4@SiO2-NIPs. The Fe3O4@SiO2-MIPs showed high selectivity towards kaempferol over structural analogues. The recoveries of proposed method at three spiked levels analysis were ranged from 90.5% to 95.4% with the relative standard deviations (RSD) less than 5%. The obtained Fe3O4@SiO2-MIPs were successfully applied for the extraction and determination of kaempferol from apple samples. The established method was simple and feasible, which showed high selectivity, fast separation and satisfactory recoveries for real sample analysis.

Fluorescence turn off-on probe (β-cyclodextrin-hydroxyquinoline) for monitoring of Cd2+ ions and tetracycline

In this paper, a photoluminescent turn off-on switch probe β-cyclodextrin-hydroxyquinoline (β-CD-HQ) was efficiently applied for detection and measurement of Cd²⁺ ions and detection of tetracycline. The proposed assay has shown an excellent selective fluorescence response toward Cd²⁺ ions over other ions like Al³⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, Co²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺ and Sr²⁺. The fluorescence emission intensity of the probe is slightly affected by competing ions. In optimum pH value, 4, the limit of detection and linear concentration range were 0.05 nM and 0.1-1.5 nM, respectively. Additionally, the extraordinary output signal of β-CD-HQ was utilized to investigate the logic behavior of β-CD-HQ in the aqueous media. Accordingly, a solid support logic circuit was made by producing the fluorescence output signal under the stimulation of Cd²⁺ ions and tetracycline as inputs.

A Quinoline-Appended Cyclodextrin Derivative as a Highly Selective Receptor and Colorimetric Probe for Nucleotides

The design and development of specific recognition and sensing systems for biologically important anionic species has received growing attention in recent years, as they play significant roles in biology, pharmacy, and environmental sciences. Herein, a new supramolecular sensing probe L1 was developed for highly selective differentiation of nucleotides. L1 displayed extremely marked absorption and emission differentiation upon binding with nucleotide homologs of AMP, ADP, and ATP, due to the divergent spatial orientations of guests upon binding, which allowed for a naked-eye colorimetric differentiation for nucleotides. A differentiating mechanism was unambiguously rationalized by using various spectroscopic studies and theoretical calculations. Furthermore, we successfully demonstrated that L1 can be applied to the real-time monitoring of the enzyme-catalyzed phosphorylation/dephosphorylation processes and thus demonstrated an unprecedented visualizable strategy for selectively differentiating the structurally similar nucleotides and real-time monitoring of biological processes via fluorescent and colorimetric changes.

Surface-imprinted β-cyclodextrin-functionalized carbon nitride nanosheets for fluorometric determination of sterigmatomycin

β-Cyclodextrin-functionalized carbon nitride nanosheets were modified with a molecularly imprinted polymer to obtain a fluorescent probe of type MIP@β-CD/CNNS which is shown to enable fluorometric determination of sterigmatocystin (STG). The material was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, infrared spectra, powder X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and by absorption and emission spectra. The modified CNNSs have a good fluorescence quantum yield (13%), high sorption capacity for STG (86 mg·g^-1), fast adsorption rate (25 min), and superior adsorption selectivity (with an imprint factor 2.56). When used as an optical probe for STG, the CNNSs act as the chromophore, while β-CD and MIP act as the recognition groups. The blue fluorescence of MIP@β-CD/CNNS (with excitation/emission maxima at 368/432 nm) is quenched by STG. Fluorescence drops linearly in the 0.15 to 3.1 μM STG concentration range. The lower detection limit is 74 nM. The method was successfully applied to the determination of STG in spiked wheat extract. Conceivably, this detection scheme based on a combination of β-CD inclusion and molecular imprinting may be extended to the detection of various other organic compounds. Graphical abstractSchematic representation of the preparation of surface-imprinted β-cyclodextrin-functionalized carbon nitride nanosheets. These are used, along with a molecularly imprinted polymer, for fluorometric determination of sterigmatomycin.

Complex systems that incorporate cyclodextrins to get materials for some specific applications

Cyclodextrins (CDs) are a family of biodegradable cyclic hydrocarbons composed of α-(1,4) linked glucopyranose subunits, the more common containing 6, 7 or 8 glucose units are named α, β and γ-cyclodextrins respectively. Since the discovery of CDs, they have attracted interest among scientists and the first studies were about the properties of the native compounds and in particular their use as catalysts of organic reactions. Characteristics features of different types of cyclodextrins stimulated investigation in different areas of research, due to its non-toxic and non-inmunogenic properties and also to the development of an improved industrial production. In this way, many materials with important properties have been developed. This mini-review will focus on chemical systems that use cyclodextrins, whatever linked covalently or mediated by the non covalent interactions, to build complex systems developed mainly during the last five years.

Synthesis and Characterization of a Molecularly Imprinted Polymer of Spermidine and the Exploration of Its Molecular Recognition Properties

Spermidine is a functional ingredient that can extend the lifespan of many foods and indicate meat safety. However, its synthesis and enrichment is expensive and complex. To develop an effective separation material that can offer highly selective recognition of spermidine, we first applied non-covalent molecular imprinting technology using methacrylic acid as a functional monomer, azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator, and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as a cross-linker. The adsorption properties of the polymers were analyzed using the Scatchard equation, the Lagergren kinetic equation, and the static distribution coefficient. The optimal polymerization molar ratio of the template molecule spermidine to the functional monomer was 1:4, the maximum adsorption amount was 97.75 μmol/g, and the adsorption equilibrium time was 300 min. The selective experiment showed that the interfering substances tyramine and histamine had selectivity factor α values of 2.01 and 1.78, respectively, indicating that the prepared polymer had good spermidine recognition ability. The density function theory calculations showed that the hydrogen bond strength, steric effect, and product energy caused adsorption and separation differences among the different imprinted polymer complexes.

Chemosensors for biogenic amines and biothiols

There is burgeoning interest among supramolecular chemists to develop novel molecular systems to detect biogenic amines and bio-thiols in aqueous and non-aqueous media due to their potential role in biological processes. Biogenic amines are biologically important targets because of their involvement in the energy metabolism of human biological systems and their requirement is met through food and nutrition. However, the increasing instances of serious health problems due to food toxicity have raised the quality of food nowadays. Biogenic amines have been frequently considered as the markers or primary quality parameters of foods like antioxidant properties, freshness and spoilage. For instance, these amines such as spermine, spermidine, cadavarine, etc. may originate during microbial decarboxylation of amino acids of fermented foods/beverages. These amines may also react with nitrite available in certain meat products and concomitantly produce carcinogenic nitrosamine compounds. On the other hand, it is also well established that biothiols, particularly, thiol amino acids, provide the basic characteristics to food including flavor, color and texture that determine its acceptability. For instance, the reduction of thiol groups produces hydrogen sulfide which reduces flavour as in rotten eggs and spoiled fish, and the presence of hydrogen sulfide in fish is indicative of spoilage. Thus, biogenic amines and bio-thiols have attracted the profound interest of researchers as analytical tools for their quantification. Much scientific and technological information is issued every year, where the establishment of precise interactions of biogenic amines and bio-thiols with other molecules is sought in aqueous and non-aqueous media. This review summarizes the optical chemosensors developed for the selective detection of biogenic amines and bio-thiols.

Novel molecularly imprinted polymer based on β-cyclodextrin@graphene oxide: Synthesis and application for selective diphenylamine determination

A sensitive and selective molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) for the determination of diphenylamine (DPA) was developed based on host-guest interactions of a cyclodextrin-based polymer which possesses an inherent affinity for the target. The proposed GO@MIP has been prepared using the graphene oxide (GO) sheets as surface of polymerization, DPA as target molecule, β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and acrylamide (AM) as functional monomers, azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as initiator and N, N methylene bisacrylamide (MBAm) as crosslinker which denoted as GO@MIP nanocomposite. The MIP sites were formed by the inclusion complex through interaction of DPA and β-CD, followed by extraction of target. The resulting GO@MIP nanocomposite possess a fast adsorption kinetics, highly improved imprinting effect, high adsorption capacity, and it can be applied to fast extraction of DPA. The resultant GO@MIP nanocomposite was characterized using the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. On the other hand, the non-imprinted polymer (GO@NIP nanocomposite) has been synthesized and was used in the adsorption experiments. The MIP exhibited good affinity with a maximum adsorption capacity of 95.98mgg^-1 and excellent selectivity toward DPA than other structural analogues such as 2-amino benzophenone and dithizone.

A novel self-assembled platform for the ratiometric fluorescence detection of spermine

A novel self-assembled platform where the micelles of a pyrene derivative act as the shell and squaraine (SQ) as the nucleus was constructed for the ratiometric near infrared (NIR) fluorescence detection of urinary spermine with high selectivity.