Acetone extracted propolis as a novel membrane and its application in phenol biosensors: the case of catechol

A novel biosensor for catechol has been constructed by immobilizing polyphenol oxidase (PPO) into acetone-extracted propolis (AEP) composite modified with gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and attached to multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNTs) on a gold electrode surface. The propolis for AEP was obtained from honeybee colonies. Under the optimum conditions, this method could be successfully used for the amperometric determination of catechol within a concentration range of 1 × 10⁻⁶ to 5 × 10⁻⁴ M, with a detection limit of 8 × 10⁻⁷ M (S/N = 3). The effects of pH and operating potential are also explored to optimize the measurement conditions. The best response was obtained at pH 5, while an optimum ratio of signal-to-noise (S/N) was obtained at −20 mV (versus Ag/AgCl), which was selected as the applied potential for the amperometric measurements. All subsequent experiments were performed at pH 5. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used to characterize the PPO/CNTs/GNPs/AEP/Au biosensor. The biosensor also exhibited good selectivity, stability, and reproducibility.

     

Development of a nanocomposite system and its application in biosensors construction

The present work describes the development of a nanocomposite system and its application in construction of a new amperometric biosensor applied in the determination of total polyphenolic content from propolis extracts. The nanocomposite system was based on covalent immobilization of laccase on functionalized indium tin oxide nanoparticles and it was morphologically and structural characterized. The casting of the developed nanocomposite system on the surface of a screen-printed electrode was used for biosensor fabrication. The analytical performance characteristics of the settled biosensor were determined for rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid and catechol (as laccase specific substrate). The linearity was obtained in the range of 1.06×10^?6 ? 1.50×10^?5 mol L^?1 for rosmarinic acid, 1.90×10^?7 ? 2.80×10^?6 mol L^?1 for caffeic acid and 1.66×10^?6 ? 7.00×10^?6 mol L^?1 for catechol. A good sensitivity of amperometric biosensor 141.15 nA µmol^?1 L^?1 and fair detection limit 7.08×10^?8 mol L^?1 were obtained for caffeic acid. The results obtained for polyphenolic content of propolis extracts were compared with the chromatographic data obtained by liquid-chromatography with diode array detection.      

Amperometric Biosensor for the Determination of Phenols Using a Crude Extract of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea Batatas (L.) Lam.)

Abstract

An amperometric biosensor for the determination of phenols is proposed using a crude extract of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) as an enzymatic source of polyphenol oxidase (PPO; tyrosinase; catechol oxidase; EC 1.14.18.1). The biosensor is constructed by the immobilization of sweet potato crude extract with glutaraldehyde and bovine serum albumin onto an oxygen membrane. This biosensor provides a linear response for catechol, pyrogallol, phenol and p-cresol in the concentration ranges of 2.0×10^?5-4.3×10^?4mol L^?1, 2.0×10^?5-4.3×10^?4 mol L^?1, 2.0×10^?5-4.5×10^?4 mol L^?1 and 2.0×10^?5-4.5×10^?4mol L^?1, respectively. The response time was about 3–5 min for the useful response range, and the lifetime of this electrode was excellent for fifteen days (over 220 determinations for each enzymatic membrane). Application of this biosensor for the determination of phenols in industrial wastewaters is presented.     

Determination of Catechol by a Laccase Biosensor Based on Silica-Modified Zirconia Nanoparticles

A promising nanotechnological material, zirconia nanoparticles modified with SiO₂, was used as a medium for the immobilization of laccase to construct a novel biosensor that exhibits sensitive amperometric response to catechol in 0.1 mol · L^?1 phosphate buffer (pH 6.0) using cyclic voltammetry. The linear response to catechol was from 1.0 × 10^?6 to 1.0 × 10^?4 mol · L^?1 and the detection limit was 3.5 × 10^?7 mol · L^?1 at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The biosensor exhibited good stability, precision, and few interferences.     

Gold Nanoparticles Electrodeposited on Ordered Mesoporous Carbon as an Enhanced Material for Nonenzymatic Hydrogen Peroxide Sensor

A facile and controllable electrodeposition method was developed to directly attach gold nanoparticles (GNPs) on ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC). The GNPs on OMC substrate were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and X‐ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS), respectively. A nonenzymatic hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) sensor was fabricated on GNPs‐OMC/GCE. The sensor demonstrated a fast amperometric response (2.5 s), a wide linear range toward H₂O₂ concentrations between 2.0×10^?6 and 3.92×10^?3 M (R=0.999), and a low detection limit of 0.49 µM (S/N=3). Moreover, it exhibited good reproducibility and long‐term stability. The excellent electrocatalytical activity might be attributed to the synergistic effect of OMC and GNPs.     

Simultaneous Detection of Copper,Lead and Zinc on Tin Film/Gold Nanoparticles/Gold Microelectrode by Square Wave Stripping Voltammetry

In this work, three heavy metals (Cu(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II)) in wide potential window were simultaneously detected on tin film/gold nanoparticles/gold microelectrode (Sn/GNPs/gold microelectrode) by the method of square wave stripping voltammetry. The Sn/GNPs/gold microelectrode was fabricated by in situ plating of a Sn film on a gold nanoparticles (GNPs) modified gold microelectrode. The influence of hydrogen overflow on stripping of Zn(II) on the gold microelectrode was reduced by modification of GNPs, which made the stripping potential of target metals shift positively. The interference of sulfhydryl groups was reduced and the selectivity of the microelectrode was improved due to the addition of Sn in the detection solution. After accumulation at ?1.4 V for 300 s in acetate buffer solution (0.1 mol L^?1, pH 4.5), the Sn/GNPs/gold microelectrode revealed a good linear behavior in the examined concentration ranges from 5 to 500 µg L^?1 for Cu(II) and Pb(II), and from 10 to 500 µg L^?1 for Zn(II), with a limit of detection of 2 µg L^?1 for Cu(II), 3 µg L^?1 for Pb(II) and 5 µg L^?1 for Zn(II) (S/N=3). When compared with a Sb/GNPs/gold microelectrode and a Bi/GNPs/gold microelectrode, the Sn/GNPs/gold microelectrode showed the best stripping performance to Cu(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II). As a new type of environment‐friendly electrode, the Sn/GNPs/gold microelectrode has potential applications for detection of heavy metals.     

Amperometric nitrite biosensor based on a gold electrode modified with cytochrome c on Nafion and Cu-Mg-Al layered double hydroxides

An amperometric biosensor for nitrite was prepared by immobilizing cytochrome c (Cyt c) on a gold electrode that was modified with Nafion and a Cu-Mg-Al layered double hydroxide (Cu-LDH). The Cu-LDH was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction. The UV-visible spectrum suggests that Cyt c retains its native conformation in the modified film. The direct electrochemical investigation indicated that the composite film represents a good platform for the immobilization of Cyt c as well as an excellent promoter for the electron transfer between Cyt c and the gold electrode. Moreover, the biosensor showed a remarkable bioelectrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of nitrite with a linear range from 0.75 to 123 μM. The detection limit is 2?×?10^?7 M (S/N?=?3). The biosensor was successfully applied to the determination of nitrite in food samples.     

Development of Biosensor for Catechol Using Electrosynthesized Poly(3‐methylthiophene) and Incorporation of LAC Simultaneously

Simultaneous electropolymerization of 3‐methylthiophene and incorporation of Laccase (LAC) was carried out in the presence of propylene carbonate as a medium by amperometric method. This enzyme modified electrode was used for the sensing of polyphenol. Catechol is taken as a model compound for the study. UV‐Vis spectral studies suggest no denaturation of LAC in presence of propylene carbonate. The SEM studies reveal the surface morphology and incorporation of LAC in P3MT with agglomerated flaky masses are observed in with and without enzyme micrographs. The cyclic voltammograms were recorded for 0.01 mM catechol on plain glassy carbon, polymer and enzyme incorporated electrodes at pH 6.0 and scan rate 50 mV s^?1. The fabricated electrochemical biosensor was used for the determination of catechol in aqueous solution by Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV) technique. The concentration linear range of 8×10^?8 to 1.4×10^?5 M a value of Michealis? Menten constant K_m=7.67 µmol dm^?3 and activation energy is 32.75 kJ mol^?1. It retains 83 % of the original activity after 60 days which is much higher than that of other biosensors. The developed biosensor was used to quantify catechol in the determination in real samples.     

Bioelectrochemical evaluation of the total phenols content in olive oil mill wastewaters using a tyrosinase–colloidal gold–graphite–Teflon biosensor

The use of a robust tyrosinase biosensor, fabricated from graphite–Teflon rigid electrode matrices modified with gold nanoparticles, for the estimation of the total phenols content in olive oil mill wastewaters (OMW), is proposed. The performance of this bioelectrode using both continuous stirring and flow-injection amperometry was studied. A potential value of ?0.10?V was selected for the sensitive and stable detection of various phenolic compounds present in OMW samples: catechol, 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid (caffeic acid), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, 4-hydroxyphenylethanol (tyrosol), and 4-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid. Using catechol as the target phenol, linear calibration graphs were obtained in the 1.0?×?10^?8???8.0?×?10^?6?mol?L^?1 (batch) and 1.0?×?10^?7???1.0?×?10^?5?mol?L^?1 (FI) concentration ranges, with slope values of 750?mA?L?mol^?1 and 103?mA?L?mol^?1, respectively. Batch amperometry was chosen for the analysis of real samples because of its higher sensitivity. For example, the limit of detection for caffeic acid was 80?nM. The ‘pool’ of phenolic compounds was estimated in OMW obtained from different extraction systems and containing phenols at diverse levels of concentration. A comparison of these results with those obtained by applying the Folin–Ciocalteau spectrophotometric reference method was carried out.     

Amperometric Tyrosinase Biosensor Based on Carbon Nanotube–Titania–Nafion Composite Film

A highly sensitive and stable amperometric tyrosinase biosensor has been developed based on multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) dispersed in mesoporous composite films of sol–gel‐derived titania and perfluorosulfonated ionomer (Nafion). Tyrosinase was immobilized within a thin film of MWCNT–titania–Nafion composite film coated on a glassy carbon electrode. Phenolic compounds were determined by the direct reduction of biocatalytically‐liberated quinone species at ?100 mV versus Ag/AgCl (3 M NaCl) without a mediator. The present tyrosinase biosensor showed good analytical performances in terms of response time, sensitivity, and stability compared to those obtained with other biosensors based on different sol–gel matrices. Due to the large pore size of the MWCNT–titania–Nafion composite, the present biosensor showed remarkably fast response time with less than 3 s. The present biosensor responds linearly to phenol from 1.0×10^?7 M to 5.0×10^?5 M with an excellent sensitivity of 417 mA/M and a detection limit of 9.5×10^?8 M (S/N=3). The enzyme electrode retained 89% of its initial activity after 2 weeks of storage in 50 mM phosphate buffer at pH 7.0.     

Amperometric Tyrosinase Biosensor Based on Carbon Black Paste Electrode for Sensitive Detection of Catechol in Environmental Samples

In this work, a renewable tyrosinase-based biosensor was developed for the detection of catechol, using a carbon black paste electrode, without any mediator. The effect of pH, type of electrolyte, and amount of tyrosinase enzyme were explored for optimum analytical performance. The best-performing biosensor in amperometric experiments at potential −0.2 V vs. Ag/AgCl (3 mol L⁻¹ KCl) was obtained using a 0.1 mol L⁻¹ phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.0) as electrolyte. Under optimized conditions, the proposed biosensor had two concentration linear ranges from 5.0×10⁻⁹ to 4.8×10⁻⁸ and from 4.8×10⁻⁸ to 8.5×10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹ and a limit of detection of 1.5×10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹. The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant ( ) was calculated by the amperometric method, and the obtained value was 1.2×10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹ whose result was similar when compared with other studies previously. The biosensor was applied in river water samples, and the results were very satisfactory, with recoveries near 100 %. In addition, the response of this biosensor for different compounds, taking into account their molecular structures was investigated and the results obtained showed no interference with the response potential of catechol. The electrochemical biosensor developed in this work can be considered highly advantageous because it does not require the use of a mediator (direct detection) for electrochemical response, and also because it is based on a low-cost materials that can be used with success to immobilise other enzymes and/or biomolecules.     

Optimization of a sensitive method for the “switch-on” determination of mercury(II) in waters using Rhodamine B capped gold nanoparticles as a fluorescence sensor

Monodisperse and “naked” gold nanoparticles (GNPs) were modified with thioglycolic acid (TGA). The fluorescence of rhodamine B (RB) is quenched completely by the gold NPs surface with negative charge mainly as a result of fluorescence resonance energy transition (FRET) and collision. The quenching mechanism can be described by a Langmuir isotherm, which was systematically investigated by steady-state fluorescence spectrometry and absorption spectrometry. Hg(II) ion disrupts the GNPs–RB pair, producing a large “switch-on” fluorescence. A low background, highly sensitive and reproducible fluorescence assay for Hg(II) is presented. Under the optimum conditions, the restoration fluorescence intensity is proportional to the concentration of Hg(II). The calibration graphs are linear over the range of 1.0?×?10^?9 to 3.1?×?10^?8 mol L^?1 with a detection limit of 4.0?×?10^?10 mol L^?1. The relative standard deviation was 1.2% for a 5.0?×?10^?9 mol L^?1 Hg(II) solution (N?=?6). This method was applied to the analysis of Hg(II) in environmental water samples, and the results were consistent with those of atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS).     

A New Amperometric Biosensor Based on HRP/Nano-Au/L-Cysteine/Poly（o-Aminobenzoic acid）-Membrane-Modified Platinum Electrode for the Determination of Hydrogen Peroxide

The third generation amperometric biosensor for the determination of hydrogen peroxide （H2O2） has been described. For the fabrication of biosensor, o-aminobenzoic acid （oABA） was first electropolymerized on the surface of platinum （Pt） electrode as an electrostatic repulsion layer to reject interferences. Horseradish peroxidase （HRP） absorbed by nano-scaled particulate gold （nano-Au） was immobilized on the electrode modified with polymerized o-aminobenzoic acid （poABA） with L-cysteine as a linker to prepare a biosensor for the detection of H2O2. Amperometric detection of H2O2 was realized at a potential of ＋20 mV versus SCE. The resulting biosensor exhibited fast response, excellent reproducibility and sensibility, expanded linear range and low interferences. Temperature and pH dependence and stability of the sensor were investigated. The optimal sensor gave a linear response in the range of 2.99×10^-6 to 3.55×10^-3 mol·L^-1 to H2O2 with a sensibility of 0.0177 A·L^-1·mol^-1 and a detection limit （S/N = 3） of 4.3×10^-7 mol·L^-1. The biosensor demonstrated a 95% response within less than 10 s.     

Simultaneous determination of catechol and hydroquinone by carbon paste electrode modified with hydrophobic ionic liquid-functionalized SBA-15

Hydrophobic ionic liquid-functionalized SBA-15 modified carbon paste electrode (CPSPE) was fabricated, and its electrochemical performance was investigated by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectra, and chronocoulometry in K₃Fe(CN)₆/K₄Fe(CN)₆ solution. Compared with carbon paste electrode (CPE) and SBA-15 modified carbon paste electrode (CSPE), the electron transfer ability was in the sequence as: CPSPE>CSPE>CPE. Meanwhile, the electrocatalytic activity of CPSPE to catechol and hydroquinone was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry, and then, the linear concentration ranges were obtained by the amperometric detection from 2.0?×?10^-5 to 3.2?×?10^-4 M for catechol and 5.0?×?10^-5 to 5.5?×?10^-4 M for hydroquinone, with the detection limits of 5.0?×?10^-7 and 6.0?×?10^-7 M, respectively. The advantages of both ionic liquids and heterogeneous supports made CPSPE exhibit high electrocatalytic activity towards the redox of catechol and hydroquinone by significantly improving their reversibility and enhancing their peak currents. In addition, the present method was applied to the determination of catechol and hydroquinone in artificial wastewater sample, and the results were satisfactory.     

CuO‐Doped Mesoporous Silica Hybrid for Rapid and Sensitive Amperometric Detection of Phenolic Compounds

This work constructed an amperometric biosensing platform using CuO doped mesoporous silica hybrid (CuO/SBA‐15) as a carrier. The CuO/SBA‐15 showed a pair of redox peaks of Cu^2+/0. Upon immobilization of tyrosinase on the hybrid, the resulting biosensor exhibited a rapid (<0.5 s) and sensitive amperometric response to phenolic compounds under the optimized conditions. The linear response to catechol ranged from 1.2×10^?9 to 3.0×10^?5 M. The activation energy for enzymatic reaction was calculated to be 26.6 kJ mol^?1. The apparent Michaelis–Menten constants of the enzyme electrode were estimated to be 54.6, 145, 17.0, 74.8 and 633 µM for catechol, phenol, p‐cresol, m‐cresol and dopamine hydrochloride, respectively. The metal oxide doped mesoporous silica hybrid exhibited excellent performance for construction of new biosensors.     

Novel Hydrogen Peroxide Biosensor Based on Hemoglobin Combined with Electrospinning Composite Nanofibers

A facile strategy to construct an amperometric biosensor was described for the determination of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). This biosensor relied on an electrospinning gold nanoparticle-chitosan-poly(vinyl alcohol) composite nanofibers modified ITO electrode, followed by immobilization of hemoglobin (Hb) on the surface. The introduction of nanofibers and gold nanoparticles in the modification of electrode surface not only enhanced the surface area of the modified electrode for enzyme immobilization but also facilitated the electron transfer rate. Under optimum conditions, the sensor was characterized in terms of its morphology by scanning electron microscopy and its electroactivity by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the obtained nanofibers were uniform. The chronoamperometric behavior of the modified electrode indicated that the immobilized Hb retained electrochemical activity inside the electrospinning fibrous membranes. The electrode responded linearly to H₂O₂ in a wider concentration range of 5.6 × 10^?7 M to 5.2 × 10^?2 M with a low detection limit (S/N = 3) of 1.98 × 10^?7 M and a short response time of ～4 s, suggesting a much better performance than that of other sensors. Moreover, the biosensor achieved bulk production and exhibited superior properties for the sensitive determination of H₂O₂, studied namely, long-term stability, good reproducibility, and high selectivity.     

Non-enzymatic amperometric sensor for hydrogen peroxide based on a biocomposite made from chitosan, hemoglobin, and silver nanoparticles

We report on a novel non-enzymatic sensor for hydrogen peroxide (HP) that is based on a biocomposite made up from chitosan (CS), hemoglobin (Hb), and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The AgNPs were prepared in the presence of CS and glucose in an ultrasonic bath, and CS is found to act as a stabilizing agent. They were then combined with Hb and CS to construct a carbon paste biosensor. The resulting electrode gave a well-defined redox couple for Hb, with a formal potential of about ?0.17?V (vs. SCE) at pH?6.86 and exhibited a remarkable electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of HP. The sensor was used to detect HP by flow injection analysis, and a linear response is obtained in the 0.08 to 250?μM concentration range. The detection limit is 0.05?μM (at S/N?=?3). These characteristics, along with its long-term stability make the sensor highly promising for the amperometric determination of HP.

Multilayer Assembly of Hemoglobin and Colloidal Gold Nanoparticles on Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes/Chitosan Composite for Detecting Hydrogen Peroxide

Chitosan (CS) was chosen for dispersing multi‐wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) to form a stable CS‐MWNTs composite, which was first coated on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode to provide a containing amino groups interface for assembling colloidal gold nanoparticles (GNPs), followed by the adsorption of hemoglobin (Hb). Repeating the assembly step of GNPs and Hb resulted in {Hb/GNPs}_n multilayers. The assembly of GNPs onto CS‐MWNTs composites was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The consecutive growth of {Hb/GNPs}_n multilayers was confirmed by cyclic voltammetry and UV‐vis absorption spectroscopy. The resulting system brings a new platform for electrochemical devices by using the synergistic action of the electrocatalytic activity of GNPs and MWNTs. The resulting biosensor displays an excellent electrocatalytic activity and rapid response for hydrogen peroxide. The linear range for the determination of H₂O₂ was from 5.0×10^?7 to 2.0×10^?3 M with a detection limit of 2.1×10^?7 M at 3σ and a Michaelis–Menten constant K_M^app value of 0.19 mM.     

Reverse micelle coacervate-based extraction combined with electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry for the determination of arsenic in water and oyster tissue samples

A tyrosinase-based biosensor was constructed by immobilizing the enzyme on diazonium-functionalized screen-printed gold electrodes. Under optimized conditions, the biosensor exhibited rapid response to the changes in the concentration of all the tested phenolic compounds (catechol, catechin, caffeic acid and gallic acid). Sensitivity, linear range and limit of detection (LOD) were determined, and catechol was found to display the highest sensitivity (36.3 mA?M^?1) and the lowest LOD (0.1 μmol?L^?1). The biosensor was successfully applied to the detection of polyphenols in tea samples.     

Electrochemical sensor for monitoring the photodegradation of catechol based on DNA-modified graphene oxide

We have immobilized DNA on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with graphene oxide (GO) to develop an electrochemical biosensor for catechol. Compared to carbon nanotubes, the use of GO dramatically improved the electrooxidative current of the guanine and adenine moieties in DNA but retained the low background current of unmodified GCEs. Factors such as DNA adsorption time, DNA concentration and pH of solution were investigated to optimize experimental conditions. In the presence of catechol, the voltammetric response to DNA was inhibited due to the interaction between DNA and catechol. The response to adenine is linearly proportional to the concentration of catechol in the range from 1.0?×?10^?6 to 1.0?×?10^?4 mol·L^?1. If catechol is degraded by the combined action of UV light and hydrogen peroxide, the response to DNA is restored. Thus, the modified electrode can act as an efficient biosensor for monitoring the degradation of catechol.