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Natsuhara D, Saito R, Okamoto S, Nagai M, Shibata T. Mixing Performance of a Planar Asymmetric Contraction-and-Expansion Micromixer. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:1386. [PMID: 36144009 PMCID: PMC9504961 DOI: 10.3390/mi13091386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Micromixers are one of the critical components in microfluidic devices. They significantly affect the efficiency and sensitivity of microfluidics-based lab-on-a-chip systems. This study introduces an efficient micromixer with a simple geometrical feature that enables easy incorporation in a microchannel network without compromising the original design of microfluidic devices. The study proposes a newly designed planar passive micromixer, termed a planar asymmetric contraction-and-expansion (P-ACE) micromixer, with asymmetric vertical obstacle structures. Numerical simulation and experimental investigation revealed that the optimally designed P-ACE micromixer exhibited a high mixing efficiency of 80% or more within a microchannel length of 10 mm over a wide range of Reynolds numbers (0.13 ≤ Re ≤ 13), eventually attaining approximately 90% mixing efficiency within a 20 mm microchannel length. The highly asymmetric geometric features of the P-ACE micromixers enhance mixing because of their synergistic effects. The flow velocities and directions of the two fluids change differently while alternately crossing the longitudinal centerline of the microchannel, with the obstacle structures asymmetrically arranged on both sidewalls of the rectangular microchannel. This flow behavior increases the interfacial contact area between the two fluids, thus promoting effective mixing in the P-ACE micromixer. Further, the pressure drops in the P-ACE micromixers were experimentally investigated and compared with those in a serpentine micromixer with a perfectly symmetric mixing unit.
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Water Quality Carbon Nanotube-Based Sensors Technological Barriers and Late Research Trends: A Bibliometric Analysis. CHEMOSENSORS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/chemosensors10050161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Water is the key element that defines and individualizes our planet. Relative to body weight, water represents 70% or more for the majority of all species on Earth. Taking care of water as a whole is equivalent with taking care of the entire biodiversity or the whole of humanity itself. Water quality is becoming an increasingly important component of terrestrial life, hence intensive work is being conducted to develop sensors for detecting contaminants and assessing water quality and characteristics. Our bibliometric analysis is focused on water quality sensors based on carbon nanotubes and highlights the most important objectives and achievements of researchers in recent years. Due to important measurement characteristics such as sensitivity and selectivity, or low detection limit and linearity, up to the ability to measure water properties, including detection of heavy metal content or the presence of persistent organic compounds, carbon nanotube (CNT) sensors, taking advantage of available nanotechnologies, are becoming increasingly attractive. The conducted bibliometric analysis creates a visual, more efficient keystones mapping. CNT sensors can be integrated into an inexpensive real-time monitoring data acquisition system as an alternative for classical expensive and time-consuming offline water quality monitoring. The conducted bibliometric analysis reveals all connections and maps all the results in this water quality CNT sensors research field and gives a perspective on the approached methods on this specific type of sensor. Finally, challenges related to integration of other trends that have been used and proven to be valuable in the field of other sensor types and capable to contribute to the development (and outlook) for future new configurations that will undoubtedly emerge are presented.
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Tonelli A, Mangia V, Candiani A, Pasquali F, Mangiaracina TJ, Grazioli A, Sozzi M, Gorni D, Bussolati S, Cucinotta A, Basini G, Selleri S. Sensing Optimum in the Raw: Leveraging the Raw-Data Imaging Capabilities of Raspberry Pi for Diagnostics Applications. SENSORS 2021; 21:s21103552. [PMID: 34065190 PMCID: PMC8160707 DOI: 10.3390/s21103552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Single-board computers (SBCs) and microcontroller boards (MCBs) are extensively used nowadays as prototyping platforms to accomplish innovative tasks. Very recently, implementations of these devices for diagnostics applications are rapidly gaining ground for research and educational purposes. Among the available solutions, Raspberry Pi represents one of the most used SBCs. In the present work, two setups based on Raspberry Pi and its CMOS-based camera (a 3D-printed device and an adaptation of a commercial product named We-Lab) were investigated as diagnostic instruments. Different camera elaboration processes were investigated, showing how direct access to the 10-bit raw data acquired from the sensor before downstream imaging processes could be beneficial for photometric applications. The developed solution was successfully applied to the evaluation of the oxidative stress using two commercial kits (d-ROM Fast; PAT). We suggest the analysis of raw data applied to SBC and MCB platforms in order to improve results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Tonelli
- DNAPhone S.R.L., Viale Mentana 150, 43121 Parma, Italy; (A.T.); (V.M.); (A.C.); (F.P.); (T.J.M.); (A.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Veronica Mangia
- DNAPhone S.R.L., Viale Mentana 150, 43121 Parma, Italy; (A.T.); (V.M.); (A.C.); (F.P.); (T.J.M.); (A.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Alessandro Candiani
- DNAPhone S.R.L., Viale Mentana 150, 43121 Parma, Italy; (A.T.); (V.M.); (A.C.); (F.P.); (T.J.M.); (A.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Francesco Pasquali
- DNAPhone S.R.L., Viale Mentana 150, 43121 Parma, Italy; (A.T.); (V.M.); (A.C.); (F.P.); (T.J.M.); (A.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Tiziana Jessica Mangiaracina
- DNAPhone S.R.L., Viale Mentana 150, 43121 Parma, Italy; (A.T.); (V.M.); (A.C.); (F.P.); (T.J.M.); (A.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Alessandro Grazioli
- DNAPhone S.R.L., Viale Mentana 150, 43121 Parma, Italy; (A.T.); (V.M.); (A.C.); (F.P.); (T.J.M.); (A.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Michele Sozzi
- DNAPhone S.R.L., Viale Mentana 150, 43121 Parma, Italy; (A.T.); (V.M.); (A.C.); (F.P.); (T.J.M.); (A.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Davide Gorni
- H&D S.R.L., Strada Langhirano 264/1a, 43124 Parma, Italy;
| | - Simona Bussolati
- Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Via del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy; (S.B.); (G.B.)
| | - Annamaria Cucinotta
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria e Architettura, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze, 181/A, 43124 Parma, Italy;
| | - Giuseppina Basini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Via del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy; (S.B.); (G.B.)
| | - Stefano Selleri
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria e Architettura, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze, 181/A, 43124 Parma, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-052-190-5763
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4
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Carrasco V, Amarelle V, Lagos-Moraga S, Quezada CP, Espinoza-González R, Faccio R, Fabiano E, Pérez-Donoso JM. Production of cadmium sulfide quantum dots by the lithobiontic Antarctic strain Pedobacter sp. UYP1 and their application as photosensitizer in solar cells. Microb Cell Fact 2021; 20:41. [PMID: 33568151 PMCID: PMC7876818 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-021-01531-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Microbes are present in almost every environment on Earth, even in those with extreme environmental conditions such as Antarctica, where rocks may represent the main refuge for life. Lithobiontic communities are composed of microorganisms capable of colonizing rocks and, as it is a not so well studied bacterial community, they may represent a very interesting source of diversity and functional traits with potential for biotechnological applications. In this work we analyzed the ability of Antarctic lithobiontic bacterium to synthesize cadmium sulfide quantum dots (CdS QDs) and their potential application in solar cells. Results A basaltic andesite rock sample was collected from Fildes Peninsula, King George Island, Antarctica, and processed in order to isolate lithobiontic bacterial strains. Out of the 11 selected isolates, strain UYP1, identified as Pedobacter, was chosen for further characterization and analysis due to its high cadmium tolerance. A protocol for the biosynthesis of CdS QDs was developed and optimized for this strain. After 20 and 80 min of synthesis, yellow-green and orange-red fluorescent emissions were observed under UV light, respectively. QDs were characterized through spectroscopic techniques, dynamic light scattering analysis, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. Nanostructures of 3.07 nm, composed of 51.1% cadmium and 48.9% sulfide were obtained and further used as photosensitizer material in solar cells. These solar cells were able to conduct electrons and displayed an open circuit voltage of 162 mV, a short circuit current density of 0.0110 mA cm−2, and had an efficiency of conversion up to 0.0016%, which is comparable with data previously reported for solar cells sensitized with biologically produced quantum dots. Conclusions We report a cheap, rapid and eco-friendly protocol for the production of CdS QDs by an Antarctic lithobiontic bacterium, Pedobacter, a genus that was not previously reported as a quantum dot producer. The application of the biosynthesized QDs as sensitizer material in solar cells was validated.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Carrasco
- BioNanotechnology and Microbiology Laboratory, Center for Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Andres Bello, Av. República 239, 8370146, Santiago, PC, Chile.,Biochemistry and Microbial Genomics Department, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Av. Italia 3318, 11600, Montevideo, PC, Uruguay
| | - V Amarelle
- Biochemistry and Microbial Genomics Department, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Av. Italia 3318, 11600, Montevideo, PC, Uruguay
| | - S Lagos-Moraga
- BioNanotechnology and Microbiology Laboratory, Center for Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Andres Bello, Av. República 239, 8370146, Santiago, PC, Chile
| | - C P Quezada
- BioNanotechnology and Microbiology Laboratory, Center for Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Andres Bello, Av. República 239, 8370146, Santiago, PC, Chile.,Centro Integrativo de Biología y Química Aplicada (CIBQA), Universidad Bernardo O'Higgins, General Gana 1702, 8370993, Santiago, PC, Chile
| | - R Espinoza-González
- Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Biotecnología y Materiales, Facultad de Ciencias Físicas y Matemáticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - R Faccio
- Departamento de Experimentación y Teoría de la Estructura de la Materia y sus Aplicaciones, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Av. Gral. Flores 2124, 11800, Montevideo, PC, Uruguay
| | - E Fabiano
- Biochemistry and Microbial Genomics Department, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Av. Italia 3318, 11600, Montevideo, PC, Uruguay
| | - J M Pérez-Donoso
- BioNanotechnology and Microbiology Laboratory, Center for Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Andres Bello, Av. República 239, 8370146, Santiago, PC, Chile.
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5
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Dragone R, Grasso G, Frazzoli C. Amperometric Cytosensor for Studying Mitochondrial Interferences Induced by Plasticizers Bisphenol B and Bisphenol A. Molecules 2020; 25:E5185. [PMID: 33171786 PMCID: PMC7664631 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25215185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The widespread presence of plasticizers Bisphenol B (BPB) and Bisphenol A (BPA) in food contact materials, medical equipment, and common household products is a toxicological risk factor for health due to internal exposure after environmental dietary exposure. This work describes the use of an amperometric cytosensor (i.e., a whole cell-based amperometric biosensoristic device) for studying mitochondrial interferences of BPA and BPB (5-100 µg/mL) in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae model following long-term (24 h) exposure (acute toxicity). Percentage interference (%ρ) on yeast aerobic mitochondrial catabolism was calculated after comparison of aerobic respiration of exposed and control S. cerevisiae cell suspensions. Results suggested the hypothesis of a dose-dependent co-action of two mechanisms, namely uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation and oxidative stress. These mechanisms respectively matched with opposite effects of hyperstimulation and inhibition of cellular respiration. While uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation and oxidative stress have been previously described as separate effects from in vitro BPA exposure using other biochemical endpoints and biological systems, effects of BPB on cellular aerobic respiration are here reported for the first time. Results highlighted a similar hyperstimulation effect after exposure to 5 µg/mL BPA and BPB. About a 2-fold higher cellular respiration inhibition potency was observed after exposures to 15, 30, and 100 µg/mL BPB compared to BPA. 2,4-Dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP) was used as model uncoupling agent. A time-dependent mechanism of mitochondrial interference was also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Dragone
- Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, c/o Dipartimento di Chimica, ‘Sapienza’ Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Gerardo Grasso
- Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, c/o Dipartimento di Chimica, ‘Sapienza’ Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Chiara Frazzoli
- Dipartimento Malattie Cardiovascolari, Dismetaboliche e dell’Invecchiamento, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Via Giano della Bella, 34, 00162 Rome, Italy;
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Hahn J, Kim E, Han H, Choi YJ. Development of a portable lab-on-a-valve device for making primary diagnoses based on gold-nanoparticle aggregation induced by a switchable linker. RSC Adv 2020; 10:31243-31250. [PMID: 35520645 PMCID: PMC9056401 DOI: 10.1039/d0ra05115b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We have developed a low-cost, portable lab-on-a-valve (LOV) integrated microdevice for the detection of pathogens in primary-diagnosis settings. This system was designed for field-based pathogen detection based on the aggregation of gold nanoparticles induced by a switchable linker. A three-way valve, which has attracted much attention as a functional mesofluidic platform for pressure-driven flow, has been designed as a universal reaction platform that combines the functions of fluid flow and a reaction chamber. In addition, we obtain rapid and enhanced visual signals by the use of a syringe filter to remove gold nano-aggregates (Au NAs). Using this device, Salmonella Typhimurium down to 101 CFU mL-1 can be visually detected within 30 min by performing a simple operation that requires no complex equipment. This prototype device has great potential for use in the semi-quantitative and qualitative identification of pathogens in on-site primary diagnoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jungwoo Hahn
- Center for Food and Bioconvergence, Seoul National University 1 Gwanakro, Gwanakgu Seoul 151-921 Korea
| | - Eunghee Kim
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University 1 Gwanakro, Gwanakgu Seoul 151-921 Korea +82 2 880 4851
| | - Hyebin Han
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University 1 Gwanakro, Gwanakgu Seoul 151-921 Korea +82 2 880 4851
| | - Young Jin Choi
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University 1 Gwanakro, Gwanakgu Seoul 151-921 Korea +82 2 880 4851
- Center for Food and Bioconvergence, Seoul National University 1 Gwanakro, Gwanakgu Seoul 151-921 Korea
- Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University 1 Gwanakro, Gwanakgu Seoul 151-921 Korea
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7
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Alghamdi SA. Effect of Nigella sativa and Foeniculum vulgare seeds extracts on male mice exposed to carbendazim. Saudi J Biol Sci 2020; 27:2521-2530. [PMID: 32994708 PMCID: PMC7499112 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2020.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of environmental pollutants such as pesticides is a major global problem that affects living organisms. Exposure to environmental pollutants remains a major source of health risk throughout the world. The potential health benefits of various medicinal plants and natural products in relation to protect various diseases are currently receiving considerable attention. A current approach is to develop a new biological compound from natural products that inhibits pain. Ethnopharmacological surveys have been found to be one of the most reliable tools for the discovery of the natural and semi-synthetic drug. The present study was performed to investigate the hematological and biochemical changes induced by carbendazim (CBZ) and the potential protective effect of seeds extracts of Nigella sativa (NSSE) and Foeniculum vulgare (FVSE) against CBZ toxicity in male mice. Mice were distributed into 6 groups. Mice of group 1 were served as control. Group 2 was exposed to CBZ. Group 3 was supplemented with NSSE and exposed to CBZ. Group 4 was treated with FVSE and CBZ. Normal mice of group 5 and 6 were subjected to NSSE and FVSE respectively. Body weight gain was significantly decreased in mice of group 2. In mice of group 2, significant declines of RBC, HB, Hct, WBC, total protein, FSH, LH, testosterone, T4, T3, CAT and SOD were observed. Moreover, the levels of ALT, AST, ALP, total bilirubin, creatinine, BUN, uric acid, glucose, cholesterol, CK, LDH, MDA and GSH were significantly enhanced. Treatment with NSSE and FVSE showed attenuation effects against CBZ induced hematological and biochemical changes. The results suggest that the attenuation effects of NSSE and FVSE attributed to their antioxidant properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameera A Alghamdi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,Princess Dr. Najla Bint Saud Al-Saud Center for Excellence Research in Biotechnology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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Prosa M, Bolognesi M, Fornasari L, Grasso G, Lopez-Sanchez L, Marabelli F, Toffanin S. Nanostructured Organic/Hybrid Materials and Components in Miniaturized Optical and Chemical Sensors. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 10:E480. [PMID: 32155993 PMCID: PMC7153587 DOI: 10.3390/nano10030480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
In the last decade, biochemical sensors have brought a disruptive breakthrough in analytical chemistry and microbiology due the advent of technologically advanced systems conceived to respond to specific applications. From the design of a multitude of different detection modalities, several classes of sensor have been developed over the years. However, to date they have been hardly used in point-of-care or in-field applications, where cost and portability are of primary concern. In the present review we report on the use of nanostructured organic and hybrid compounds in optoelectronic, electrochemical and plasmonic components as constituting elements of miniaturized and easy-to-integrate biochemical sensors. We show how the targeted design, synthesis and nanostructuring of organic and hybrid materials have enabled enormous progress not only in terms of modulation and optimization of the sensor capabilities and performance when used as active materials, but also in the architecture of the detection schemes when used as structural/packing components. With a particular focus on optoelectronic, chemical and plasmonic components for sensing, we highlight that the new concept of having highly-integrated architectures through a system-engineering approach may enable the full expression of the potential of the sensing systems in real-setting applications in terms of fast-response, high sensitivity and multiplexity at low-cost and ease of portability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Prosa
- Institute of Nanostructured Materials (ISMN), National Research Council (CNR), via P. Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy; (M.P.); (M.B.)
| | - Margherita Bolognesi
- Institute of Nanostructured Materials (ISMN), National Research Council (CNR), via P. Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy; (M.P.); (M.B.)
| | - Lucia Fornasari
- Plasmore s.r.l., viale Vittorio Emanuele II 4, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (L.F.); (L.L.-S.)
| | - Gerardo Grasso
- Institute of Nanostructured Materials (ISMN), National Research Council (CNR) c/o Department of Chemistry, ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Laura Lopez-Sanchez
- Plasmore s.r.l., viale Vittorio Emanuele II 4, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (L.F.); (L.L.-S.)
| | - Franco Marabelli
- Physics Department, University of Pavia, via A. Bassi 6, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Stefano Toffanin
- Institute of Nanostructured Materials (ISMN), National Research Council (CNR), via P. Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy; (M.P.); (M.B.)
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Grasso G, Zane D, Dragone R. Microbial Nanotechnology: Challenges and Prospects for Green Biocatalytic Synthesis of Nanoscale Materials for Sensoristic and Biomedical Applications. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2019; 10:E11. [PMID: 31861471 PMCID: PMC7023511 DOI: 10.3390/nano10010011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Nanomaterials are increasingly being used in new products and devices with a great impact on different fields from sensoristics to biomedicine. Biosynthesis of nanomaterials by microorganisms is recently attracting interest as a new, exciting approach towards the development of 'greener' nanomanufacturing compared to traditional chemical and physical approaches. This review provides an insight about microbial biosynthesis of nanomaterials by bacteria, yeast, molds, and microalgae for the manufacturing of sensoristic devices and therapeutic/diagnostic applications. The last ten-year literature was selected, focusing on scientific works where aspects like biosynthesis features, characterization, and applications have been described. The knowledge, challenges, and potentiality of microbial-mediated biosynthesis was also described. Bacteria and microalgae are the main microorganism used for nanobiosynthesis, principally for biomedical applications. Some bacteria and microalgae have showed the ability to synthetize unique nanostructures: bacterial nanocellulose, exopolysaccharides, bacterial nanowires, and biomineralized nanoscale materials (magnetosomes, frustules, and coccoliths). Yeasts and molds are characterized by extracellular synthesis, advantageous for possible reuse of cell cultures and reduced purification processes of nanomaterials. The intrinsic variability of the microbiological systems requires a greater protocols standardization to obtain nanomaterials with increasingly uniform and reproducible chemical-physical characteristics. A deeper knowledge about biosynthetic pathways and the opportunities from genetic engineering are stimulating the research towards a breakthrough development of microbial-based nanosynthesis for the future scaling-up and possible industrial exploitation of these promising 'nanofactories'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerardo Grasso
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche—Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati c/o Dipartimento di Chimica, ‘Sapienza’ Università di Roma, P. le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy (R.D.)
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10
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Choi JR, Yong KW, Choi JY, Cowie AC. Emerging Point-of-care Technologies for Food Safety Analysis. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2019; 19:E817. [PMID: 30781554 PMCID: PMC6412947 DOI: 10.3390/s19040817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Food safety issues have recently attracted public concern. The deleterious effects of compromised food safety on health have rendered food safety analysis an approach of paramount importance. While conventional techniques such as high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry have traditionally been utilized for the detection of food contaminants, they are relatively expensive, time-consuming and labor intensive, impeding their use for point-of-care (POC) applications. In addition, accessibility of these tests is limited in developing countries where food-related illnesses are prevalent. There is, therefore, an urgent need to develop simple and robust diagnostic POC devices. POC devices, including paper- and chip-based devices, are typically rapid, cost-effective and user-friendly, offering a tremendous potential for rapid food safety analysis at POC settings. Herein, we discuss the most recent advances in the development of emerging POC devices for food safety analysis. We first provide an overview of common food safety issues and the existing techniques for detecting food contaminants such as foodborne pathogens, chemicals, allergens, and toxins. The importance of rapid food safety analysis along with the beneficial use of miniaturized POC devices are subsequently reviewed. Finally, the existing challenges and future perspectives of developing the miniaturized POC devices for food safety monitoring are briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Ru Choi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2054⁻6250 Applied Science Lane, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada.
- Centre for Blood Research, Life Sciences Centre, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada.
| | - Kar Wey Yong
- Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada.
| | - Jean Yu Choi
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK.
| | - Alistair C Cowie
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK.
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11
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Grasso G, Caracciolo L, Cocco G, Frazzoli C, Dragone R. Towards Simazine Monitoring in Agro-Zootechnical Productions: A Yeast Cell Bioprobe for Real Samples Screening. BIOSENSORS 2018; 8:E112. [PMID: 30445795 PMCID: PMC6316374 DOI: 10.3390/bios8040112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Simazine is an herbicide that is able to contaminate surface waters, ground waters, and milk/dairy products, thus posing concerns in both environmental health and food safety. A yeast-based bioprobe was utilized to detect simazine in spiked real samples of livestock drinking water and raw cow's milk. Yeast aerobic respiration was taken as short-term toxicological endpoint. We carried out comparative measures of yeast oxygen consumption between simazine-spiked samples and blank samples. Percentage interference (%ρ) on yeast aerobic respiration was calculated through the comparison of aerobic respiration of simazine-exposed and non-exposed yeast cells. The method was optimized for raw cow's milk samples by using boric acid as fungistatic agent in order to avoid cellular proliferation. Overall, the results have shown that simazine can be detected up to concentrations five times below the EU legal concentration limits for drinking water (0.02 ppb) and cow's milk (2 ppb) (%ρ values of 18.53% and 20.43% respectively; %RSD ≤ 15%). Dose-effect relationships of simazine were assessed. The findings of the bioassays match reasonably well with known mechanisms of toxicity and intracellular detoxification in yeast. A correlation between fat content in milk samples and analytical performance of the bioprobe was established. Results suggest the involvement of a matrix effect, presumably due to lipid sequestration of simazine. The yeast-based bioprobe has proved to be sensitive and suitable for the detection of simazine in real samples in concentrations of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerardo Grasso
- Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, P.le Aldo Moro 7, 00185 Roma, Italy.
| | - Ludovico Caracciolo
- Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, P.le Aldo Moro 7, 00185 Roma, Italy.
| | - Giulia Cocco
- Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, P.le Aldo Moro 7, 00185 Roma, Italy.
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie per l'Agricoltura, le Foreste, la Natura e l'Energia, Università degli Studi della Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy.
| | - Chiara Frazzoli
- Dipartimento Malattie Cardiovascolari, Dismetaboliche e dell'Invecchiamento, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Via Giano della Bella 34, 00162 Roma, Italy.
| | - Roberto Dragone
- Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, P.le Aldo Moro 7, 00185 Roma, Italy.
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Viehrig M, Thilsted AH, Matteucci M, Wu K, Catak D, Schmidt MS, Zór K, Boisen A. Injection-Molded Microfluidic Device for SERS Sensing Using Embedded Au-Capped Polymer Nanocones. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2018; 10:37417-37425. [PMID: 30277378 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b13424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
To enable affordable detection and diagnostic, there is a need for low-cost and mass producible miniaturized sensing platforms. We present a fully polymeric microfluidic lab-on-a-chip device with integrated gold (Au)-capped nanocones for sensing applications based on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). All base components of the device were fabricated via injection molding (IM) and can be easily integrated using ultrasonic welding. The SERS sensor array, embedded in the bottom of a fluidic channel, was created by evaporating Au onto IM nanocone structures, resulting in densely packed Au-capped SERS active nanostructures. Using a Raman active model analyte, trans-1,2-bis-(4-pyridyl)-ethylene, we found a surface-averaged SERS enhancement factor of ∼5 × 106 with a relative standard deviation of 14% over the sensor area (2 × 2 mm2), and a 18% signal variation among substrates. This reproducible fabrication method is cost-effective, less time consuming, and allows mass production of fully integrated polymeric, microfluidic systems with embedded high-density and high-aspect ratio SERS sensor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlitt Viehrig
- The Danish National Research Foundation and Villum Foundation's Center for Intelligent Drug Delivery and Sensing Using Microcontainers and Nanomechanics (IDUN), Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology , Technical University of Denmark , Ørsted Plads , 2800 Kgs. Lyngby , Denmark
| | - Anil H Thilsted
- The Danish National Research Foundation and Villum Foundation's Center for Intelligent Drug Delivery and Sensing Using Microcontainers and Nanomechanics (IDUN), Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology , Technical University of Denmark , Ørsted Plads , 2800 Kgs. Lyngby , Denmark
| | - Marco Matteucci
- The Danish National Research Foundation and Villum Foundation's Center for Intelligent Drug Delivery and Sensing Using Microcontainers and Nanomechanics (IDUN), Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology , Technical University of Denmark , Ørsted Plads , 2800 Kgs. Lyngby , Denmark
| | - Kaiyu Wu
- The Danish National Research Foundation and Villum Foundation's Center for Intelligent Drug Delivery and Sensing Using Microcontainers and Nanomechanics (IDUN), Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology , Technical University of Denmark , Ørsted Plads , 2800 Kgs. Lyngby , Denmark
| | - Darmin Catak
- The Danish National Research Foundation and Villum Foundation's Center for Intelligent Drug Delivery and Sensing Using Microcontainers and Nanomechanics (IDUN), Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology , Technical University of Denmark , Ørsted Plads , 2800 Kgs. Lyngby , Denmark
| | - Michael S Schmidt
- The Danish National Research Foundation and Villum Foundation's Center for Intelligent Drug Delivery and Sensing Using Microcontainers and Nanomechanics (IDUN), Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology , Technical University of Denmark , Ørsted Plads , 2800 Kgs. Lyngby , Denmark
| | - Kinga Zór
- The Danish National Research Foundation and Villum Foundation's Center for Intelligent Drug Delivery and Sensing Using Microcontainers and Nanomechanics (IDUN), Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology , Technical University of Denmark , Ørsted Plads , 2800 Kgs. Lyngby , Denmark
| | - Anja Boisen
- The Danish National Research Foundation and Villum Foundation's Center for Intelligent Drug Delivery and Sensing Using Microcontainers and Nanomechanics (IDUN), Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology , Technical University of Denmark , Ørsted Plads , 2800 Kgs. Lyngby , Denmark
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Ghasemi-Varnamkhasti M, Apetrei C, Lozano J, Anyogu A. Potential use of electronic noses, electronic tongues and biosensors as multisensor systems for spoilage examination in foods. Trends Food Sci Technol 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tifs.2018.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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14
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Landrigan PJ, Fuller R, Hu H, Caravanos J, Cropper ML, Hanrahan D, Sandilya K, Chiles TC, Kumar P, Suk WA. Pollution and Global Health – An Agenda for Prevention. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2018; 126:084501. [PMID: 30118434 PMCID: PMC6108842 DOI: 10.1289/ehp3141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Revised: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Pollution is a major, overlooked, global health threat that was responsible in 2015 for an estimated 9 million deaths and great economic losses. To end neglect of pollution and advance prevention of pollution-related disease, we formed the Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health. Despite recent gains in understanding of pollution and its health effects, this Commission noted that large gaps in knowledge remain. To close these gaps and guide prevention, the Commission made research recommendations and proposed creation of a Global Observatory on Pollution and Health. We posit that successful pollution research will be translational and based on transdisciplinary collaborations among exposure science, epidemiology, data science, engineering, health policy, and economics. We envision that the Global Observatory on Pollution and Health will be a multinational consortium based at Boston College and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health that will aggregate, geocode, and archive data on pollution and pollution-related disease; analyze these data to discern trends, geographic patterns, and opportunities for intervention; and make its findings available to policymakers, the media, and the global public to catalyze research, inform policy, and assist cities and countries to target pollution, track progress, and save lives. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP3141.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip J Landrigan
- Arnhold Institute for Global Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | | | - Howard Hu
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Health University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jack Caravanos
- Department of Environmental Public Health Sciences, College of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, USA
| | - Maureen L Cropper
- Department of Economics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | - Thomas C Chiles
- Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Pushpam Kumar
- Department of Environmental Economics, United Nations Environment, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - William A Suk
- Division of Extramural Research and Training, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
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Lombardo A, Boselli C, Amatiste S, Ninci S, Frazzoli C, Dragone R, De Rossi A, Grasso G, Mantovani A, Brajon G. From Invention to Innovation: Risk Analysis to Integrate One Health Technology in the Dairy Farm. Front Public Health 2017; 5:302. [PMID: 29218304 PMCID: PMC5703835 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2017.00302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Current Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) approaches mainly fit for food industry, while their application in primary food production is still rudimentary. The European food safety framework calls for science-based support to the primary producers’ mandate for legal, scientific, and ethical responsibility in food supply. The multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary project ALERT pivots on the development of the technological invention (BEST platform) and application of its measurable (bio)markers—as well as scientific advances in risk analysis—at strategic points of the milk chain for time and cost-effective early identification of unwanted and/or unexpected events of both microbiological and toxicological nature. Health-oriented innovation is complex and subject to multiple variables. Through field activities in a dairy farm in central Italy, we explored individual components of the dairy farm system to overcome concrete challenges for the application of translational science in real life and (veterinary) public health. Based on an HACCP-like approach in animal production, the farm characterization focused on points of particular attention (POPAs) and critical control points to draw a farm management decision tree under the One Health view (environment, animal health, food safety). The analysis was based on the integrated use of checklists (environment; agricultural and zootechnical practices; animal health and welfare) and laboratory analyses of well water, feed and silage, individual fecal samples, and bulk milk. The understanding of complex systems is a condition to accomplish true innovation through new technologies. BEST is a detection and monitoring system in support of production security, quality and safety: a grid of its (bio)markers can find direct application in critical points for early identification of potential hazards or anomalies. The HACCP-like self-monitoring in primary production is feasible, as well as the biomonitoring of live food producing animals as sentinel population for One Health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Lombardo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana "M. Aleandri", Section of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Carlo Boselli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana "M. Aleandri", Rome, Italy
| | - Simonetta Amatiste
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana "M. Aleandri", Rome, Italy
| | - Simone Ninci
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana "M. Aleandri", Section of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Giovanni Brajon
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana "M. Aleandri", Section of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Ladeira C, Frazzoli C, Orisakwe OE. Engaging One Health for Non-Communicable Diseases in Africa: Perspective for Mycotoxins. Front Public Health 2017; 5:266. [PMID: 29085817 PMCID: PMC5650707 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2017.00266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of mycotoxins-e.g., aflatoxins, ochratoxins, trichothecenes, zearalenone, fumonisins, tremorgenic toxins, and ergot alkaloids-has been recognized in the etiology of a number of diseases. In many African countries, the public health impact of chronic (indoor) and/or repeated (dietary) mycotoxin exposure is largely ignored hitherto, with impact on human health, food security, and export of African agricultural food products. Notwithstanding, African scientific research reached milestones that, when linked to findings gained by the international scientific community, make the design and implementation of science-driven governance schemes feasible. Starting from Nigeria as leading African Country, this article (i) overviews available data on mycotoxins exposure in Africa; (ii) discusses new food safety issues, such as the environment-feed-food chain and toxic exposures of food producing animals in risk assessment and management; (iii) identifies milestones for mycotoxins risk management already reached in West Africa; and (iv) points out preliminary operationalization aspects for shielding communities from direct (on health) and indirect (on trade, economies, and livelihoods) effects of mycotoxins. An African science-driven engaging of scientific knowledge by development actors is expected therefore. In particular, One health/One prevention is suggested, as it proved to be a strategic and sustainable development framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Ladeira
- Environment and Health Research Group, Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Lisboa – Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa (ESTeSL – IPL), Lisboa, Portugal
- Grupo de Investigação em Genética e Metabolismo, Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Lisboa – Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa (ESTeSL – IPL), Lisboa, Portugal
- Centro de Investigação e Estudos em Saúde Pública, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, ENSP, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Chiara Frazzoli
- Department for Cardiovascular, Dysmetabolic and Aging-Associated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Orish Ebere Orisakwe
- Toxicology Unit, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
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