Double‐Layer Nanogold and Double‐Strand DNA‐Modified Electrode for Electrochemical Immunoassay of Cancer Antigen 15‐3

Various sensor‐based immunoassay methods have been extensively developed for the detection of cancer antigen 15‐3 (CA 15‐3), but most often exhibit low detection signals and low detection sensitivity, and are unsuitable for routine use. The aim of this work is to develop a simple and sensitive electrochemical immunoassay for CA 15‐3 in human serum by using nanogold and DNA‐modified immunosensors. Prussian blue (PB), as a good mediator, was initially electrodeposited on a gold electrode surface, then double‐layer nanogold particles and double‐strand DNA (dsDNA) with the sandwich‐type architecture were constructed on the PB‐modified surface in turn, and then anti‐CA 15‐3 antibodies were adsorbed onto the surface of nanogold particles. The double‐layer nanogold particles provided a good microenvironment for the immobilization of biomolecules. The presence of dsDNA enhanced the surface coverage of protein, and improved the sensitivity of the immunosensor. The performance and factors influencing the performance of the immunosensor were evaluated. Under optimal conditions, the proposed immunosensor exhibited a wide linear range from 1.0 to 240 ng/mL with a relatively low detection limit of 0.6 ng/mL (S/N=3) towards CA 15‐3. The stability, reproducibility and precision of the as‐prepared immunosensor were acceptable. 57 serum specimens were assayed by the developed immunosensor and standard enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively, and the results obtained were almost consistent. More importantly, the proposed methodology could be further developed for the immobilization of other proteins and biocompounds.     

Electrochemical immuno-bioanalysis for carcinoma antigen 125 based on thionine and gold nanoparticles-modified carbon paste interface

A novel electrochemical immunosensor for the determination of carcinoma antigen 125 (CA125) was developed by means of immobilizing CA125 antibody (anti-CA125) on gold nanoparticles (Au) and thionine (Thi)-modified carbon paste interface. To avoid the leak of hydrophilic gold nanoparticles and thionine from carbon paste interface, the Au-Thi-modified carbon paste electrodes (CPEs) were first treated in the mixture solution containing 10% HNO₃ and 2.5% K₂Cr₂O₇ for 1.5 min at +1.5 V to make the carbon surface with -COOH groups, which can react with -NH₂ groups on the thionine molecule, in the meantime, gold nanoparticles were absorbed on the thionine surface. Subsequently, CA125 antibodies were assembled onto the surface of gold nanoparticles. The fabrication process of the immunosensor was characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. The performance and factors influencing the performance of the immunosensor were studied in detail. A direct electrochemical immunoassay format was employed to detect CA125 antigen based on the current change before and after the antigen-antibody reaction. The current change was proportional to CA125 concentration ranging from 10 to 30 U/ml with a detection limit of 1.8 U/ml (at 3δ). The immunosensors were used to analyze CA125 in human serum specimens. Analytical results of clinical samples show that the developed immunoassay has a promising alternative approach for detecting CA125 in the clinical diagnosis.     

A Signal‐Amplified Electrochemical Immunosensor Based on Prussian Blue and Pt Hollow Nanospheres as Matrix

Through electrodepositing Prussian blue (PB) and chitosan (CS), then casting Pt hollow nanospheres (HN‐Pt) and assembling CA19‐9 antibody on the electrode surface, an immunosensor was achieved. A new signal amplification strategy based on PB and HN‐Pt toward the electrocatalytic reduction of H₂O₂ was employed when performing the determination. The resulting immunosensor showed a high sensitivity, broad linear response to carbohydrate antigen 19‐9 (CA19‐9) in two ranges from 0.5 to 30 and 30 to 240 U mL^?1 with a low detection limit of 0.13 U mL^?1 (S/N=3). Moreover, it displayed good reproducibility and stability, and would be potentially attractive for clinical immunoassay of CA19‐9.     

Biomolecule‐Doped Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Nanocomposite Film for Label‐Free Electrochemical Immunoassay of α‐1‐Fetoprotein

A new electrochemical immunosensor for the detection of α‐1‐fetoprotien (AFP) was developed based on AFP antibody (anti‐AFP)‐functionalized organic/inorganic hybrid nanocomposite membrane. To fabricate such a hybrid composite membrane, 3,4,9,10‐perylenetetracarboxylic acid‐bound thionine molecules (PTCTH) were initially doped into titania colloids (TiO₂), and then gold nanoparticles and anti‐AFP were immobilized onto the composite film in turn. Comparison with the electrode fabricated only with thionine not 3,4,9,10‐perylenetetracarboxylic acid, the immunosensor with PTCTH exhibited high sensitivity and fast electron transfer. The presence of gold nanoparticles provided a good microenvironment for the immobilization of biomolecules, enhanced the surface coverage of protein, and improved the sensitivity of the immunosensor. The modified process was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The surface topography of the membrane was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Under optimal conditions, the proposed immunosensor exhibited a wide linear range from 2.5 to 200.0 ng/mL towards AFP with a detection limit of 0.5 ng/mL (S/N=3). The stability, reproducibility and precision of the immunosensor were acceptable. Comparison with the conventional enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the present method did not require more labeled procedures and washing steps. Significantly, the detection methodology provides a promising approach for other proteins or biosecurities.     

Double‐Layer Nanogold and Poly(amidoamine) Dendrimer‐ Functionalized PVC Membrane Electrode for Enhanced Electrochemical Immunoassay of Total Prostate Specific Antigen

A simple and portable electrochemical immunosensor for the detection of total prostate specific antigen (t‐PSA) in human serum was developed using a double‐layer nanogold particles and dendrimer‐functionalized polyvinyl chloride (PVC) membrane as immunosensing interface. To fabricate such a multifunctional PVC electrode, an o‐phenylenediamine‐doped PVC membrane was initially constructed, then nanogold particles and poly(amidoamine) G4‐dendrimer with a sandwich‐type format were assembled onto the PVC membrane surface, and then t‐PSA antibodies (anti‐PSA) were adsorbed on the nanogold surface. The detection principle of the immunosensor is based on the change in the electric potential before and after the antigen‐antibody interaction. The experimental conditions and the factors influencing the performance of the immunosensor were investigated. Under optimal conditions, the proposed immunosensor exhibits good electrochemical behavior in the dynamic range of 0.5–18 ng/mL relative to t‐PSA concentration with a relative low detection limit of 0.1 ng/mL (S/N=3). The precision, reproducibility, and stability of the immunosensor are acceptable. In addition, 43 serum specimens were assayed by the as‐prepared immunosensor, and consistent results were obtained in comparison with those obtained by the standard enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Compared with the conventional ELISAs, the developed immunoassay system was simple and rapid without labeling and separation steps. Importantly, the immobilization and detection methodologies could be extended for the immobilization and detection of other biomarkers.     

纳米金修饰电流型CA19-9免疫传感器的制备及应用

通过固定辣根过氧化酶（HRP）标记CA19-9抗体在纳米金修饰的碳糊电极制备了CA19-9安培免疫传感器。该免疫传感器在舍有CA19-9抗原的磷酸盐缓冲溶液中培育后,溶液中CA19-9抗原分子和HRP标记CA19-9抗体分子免疫结合导致了传感器电流的降低。在优化的实验条件下,样品中CA19-9浓度在2～30U／mL范围内与电流降低成线性关系,方法的检出限为1．4U／mL。该免疫传感器表现出较好的稳定性、准确性和重现性,为临床免疫分析提供了一种快速便捷方法。     

Interdigitated Conductometric Immunosensor for Determination of Interleukin‐6 in Humans Based on Dendrimer G4 and Colloidal Gold Modified Composite Film

A highly sensitive, fast and stable conductometric immunosensor for determination of interleukin‐6 (IL6) in humans is developed by encapsulation of horseradish peroxidase‐labeled interleukin‐6 antibody (HRP‐anti‐IL6) in poly(amidoamine) fourth‐generation dendrimer (dendrimer) and colloidal gold (nanogold) modified composite architecture. The presences of nanogold and dendrimer provided a congenial microenvironment for the immobilized biomolecules and decreased the electron transfer impedance, leading to a direct electrochemical behavior of the immobilized HRP. The formation of the antibody‐antigen complex by a simple one‐step immunoreaction between the immobilized HRP‐anti‐IL6 and IL6 in sample solution introduced a barrier of direct electrical communication between the immobilized HRP and the gold electrode surface, thus local conductivity variations could be detected by the HRP electrocatalytic reaction in 0.02 M phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.0) containing 50 μM H₂O₂, 0.01 M KI and 0.15 M NaC1. Under optimal conditions, the proposed immunosensor exhibited a good conductometric response to IL6 in a linear range from 30 to 300 pg/mL with a relatively low detection limit of 10 pg/mL at 3δ. The precision and reproducibility are acceptable with the intra‐assay CV of 7.3% and 5.6% at 100 and 200 pg/mL IL6, respectively. The storage stability of the proposed immunosensor is acceptable in a pH 7.0 PBS at 4 °C for 8 days. Importantly, the proposed methodology could be extended to the detection of other antigens or biocompounds.     

Dual‐Amplification of Antigen–Antibody Interactions via Backfilling Gold Nanoparticles on (3‐Mercaptopropyl) Trimethoxysilane Sol‐Gel Functionalized Interface

A new dual‐amplification strategy of electrochemical signaling from antigen–antibody interactions was proposed via backfilling gold nanoparticles on (3‐mercaptopropyl) trimethoxysilane sol‐gel (MPTS) functionalized interface. The MPTS was employed not only as a building block for the electrode surface modification but also as a matrix for ligand functionalization with first amplification. The second signal amplification strategy introduced in this study was based on the backfilling immobilization of nanogold particles to the immunosensor surface. Several coupling techniques, such as with nanogold but not MPTS or with MPTS but not nanogold, were investigated for the determination of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) as a model, and a very good result was obtained with nanogold and MPTS coupling immunosensor. With the noncompetitive format, the formation of the antigen–antibody complex by a simple one‐step immunoreaction between the immobilized anti‐CEA and CEA in sample solution introduced membrane potential change before and after the antigen–antibody interaction. Under optimal conditions, the proposed immunosensor exhibited a good electrochemical behavior to CEA in a dynamic concentration range of 4.4 to 85.7 ng/mL with a detection limit of 1.2 ng/mL (at 3 δ). Moreover, the precision, reproducibility and stability of the as‐prepared immunosensor were acceptable. Importantly, the proposed methodology would be valuable for diagnosis and monitoring of carcinoma and its metastasis.     

Quartz crystal microbalance immunoassay for carcinoma antigen 125 based on gold nanowire-functionalized biomimetic interface

Gold nanowires with of designed length on a solid substrate have been proven as an efficiently immobilized affinity support for the detection of carcinoma antigen 125 (CA 125) in this study. The presence of gold nanowires provides a well-defined three-dimensional structure, and greatly amplifies the coverage of the anti-CA 125 protein on the probe surface. Moreover, the amount of anti-CA 125 varied with the change of the morphology of the probe, and achieved an optimal quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) response towards anti-CA 125 adsorption at the number of gold nanolayers of 5. The formed immune-probe exhibits good QCM responses for the detection of CA 125, and allows the detection of CA 125 at concentrations as low as 0.5 U ml(-1). The QCM immunosensor exhibited good precision, high sensitivity, acceptable stability, accuracy and reproducibility. The as-prepared immunosensors were used to analyze CA 125 in human serum specimens. Analytical results suggest that the developed immunoassay method is a promising alternative approach for detecting CA 125 in the clinical diagnosis. Compared with conventional ELISA, the proposed immunoassay system was simple and rapid without multiple labeling and separation steps. Importantly, the route provides an alternative approach to incorporate multiple gold nanolayers onto the solid matrix for biosensing applications.     

One‐Step Electrochemical Immunoassay for Carcinoembryonic Antigen in Human via Back‐Filling Immobilization of Gold Nanoparticles on DNA‐Modified Gold Electrodes

A new amperometric immunobiosensor for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) determination in human serum was developed via encapsulation of horseradish peroxidase‐labeled carcinoembryonic antibody (HRP‐anti‐CEA) in a gold nanoparticles/DNA composite architecture. The presences of gold nanoparticles provided a congenial microenvironment for the immobilized biomolecules and decreased the electron transfer impedance, leading to a direct electrochemical behavior of the immobilized HRP. The formation of the antibody–antigen complex by a simple one‐step immunoreaction between the immobilized HRP‐anti‐CEA and CEA in sample solution introduced a barrier of direct electrical communication between the immobilized HRP and the gold electrode surface. Under optimal conditions, the current change obtained from the labeled HRP relative to H₂O₂ system was proportional to the CEA concentration in two linear ranges from 0.5 to 15 ng/mL and 15 to 300 ng/mL with a detection limit of 0.1 ng/mL (at 3δ). The precision and reproducibility are acceptable with the intraassay CV of 6.3% and 4.7% at 8 and 60 ng/mL CEA, respectively. The storage stability of the proposed immunosensor is acceptable in a pH 7.0 PBS at 4 °C for 9 days. Moreover, the proposed immunosensors were used to analyze CEA in human serum specimens. Analytical results of clinical samples show the developed immunoassay has a promising alternative approach for detecting CEA in the clinical diagnosis.     

Capacitance Polypyrrole‐based Impedimetric Immunosensor for Interleukin‐10 Cytokine Detection

In the present study, we developed a novel label‐free capacitance impedimetric immunosensor based on the immobilization of the human monoclonal antibody anti‐interleukin‐10 (anti‐IL‐10 mAb) onto polypyrrole (PPy)‐modified silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) substrates. The immunosensor was used for the detection of the recombinant interleukin‐10 antigen (rh IL‐10) that may be secreted in patients at the early stage of inflammation. The immunosensor was created by chemical deposition of PPy conducting layer on pyrrole?silane (SPy)‐treated Si/SiO₂/Si₃N₄ substrates (Si/SiO₂/Si₃N₄?SPy), followed by anti‐IL‐10 mAb immobilization through carboxyl‐functionalized diazonium (CMA) protocol and carbodiimide chemistry. The surface characterization and the biofunctionalization steps were characterized by SEM, FTIR and cyclic voltammetry (CV) while the detection process was carried out by using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analyses. The created immunosensor showed two linear fittings (R²=0.999) for the detection of rh IL‐10 within the concentration range from 1–50 pg/mL. It exhibited high sensitivity (0.1128 (pg/mL)^?1) with a very low limit of detection (LOD)=0.347 pg/mL, more particularly, at the low concentration range (1–10 pg/mL). Thus, this developed polypyrrole‐based immunosensor represents a promising strategy for creation of miniaturized label‐free, fast and highly sensitive biosensors for diagnosis of inflammation biomarkers at very low concentrations with reduced cost.     

基于功能化溶胶-凝胶膜的乳腺癌抗原免疫传感器

结合溶胶-凝胶(sol-gel)和交联技术,将乳腺癌抗体固定在铂盘电极表面的氨基化sol-gel功能膜上,制备出用于检测乳腺癌抗原(CA15-3)的免疫传感器.用红外光谱验证了该传感器功能膜的形成过程和组成结构,采用循环伏安法对传感器逐层修饰过程进行了表征,并对传感器功能膜的作用机理进行了探讨.该法检测CA15-3的线性范围为8～240U/mL,线性回归方程为ΔE=75.75lgc-56.36,r=0.998.结果表明,该方法很好地保持了被固定抗体的活性,增强了传感器的稳定性,所制备的传感器于4℃干态保存30d,其响应信号基本不变.且该传感器响应迅速、灵敏度高、选择性好,血清中常见抗原不干扰测定.     

On‐Off PVC Membrane Based Potentiometric Immunosensor for Label‐Free Detection of Alpha‐Fetoprotein

A poly(vinylchloride) (PVC) membrane based potentiometric immunosensor for the direct detection of alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) has been developed. First, Au colloid particle was chemisorbed upon amino groups of o‐phenylenediamine, which were dissolved in plasticized PVC membrane. Then alpha‐fetoprotein antibody (anti‐AFP) was immobilized upon the surface of the Au colloid particle to prepare a potentiometric AFP immunosensor. The Au colloid particle modified PVC membrane was characterized by digital photo and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The immunosensor exhibited fast potentiometric response (≤4 min) and showed specific response to AFP in the range of 4.9 to 158.5 ng/mL with a correlation coefficient of 0.9971 and a detection limit of 1.6 ng/mL. The factors influencing the performance of the immunosensor were also studied in detail. Moreover, the proposed method is economical and efficient as well as potentially attractive for clinical immunoassays.     

Ultrasensitive Electrochemical Immunosensor for Detection of Tumor Necrosis Factor‐α Based on Functionalized MWCNT‐Gold Nanoparticle/Ionic Liquid Nanocomposite

A novel and highly sensitive electrochemical immunosensor was developed for the detection of protein biomarker tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) based on immobilization of TNF‐α‐antibody (anti‐TNF‐α) onto robust nanocomposite containing gold nanoparticles (AuNP), multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and ionic liquid (1‐buthyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis (trifluoromethyl sulfonyl)imide). Functionalized MWCNT‐gold nanoparticle was produced by one‐step synthesis based on the direct redox reaction. The electrochemical properties of nanocomposite were characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The anti‐TNF‐α was immobilized or entrapped in the nanocomposite and used in a sandwich type complex immunoassay with anti‐TNF‐α labeled with horseradish peroxidase as secondary antibody. Under optimum conditions, the immunosensor could detect TNF‐α in a linear range from 6.0 to 100 pg mL^?1 with a low detection limit of 2.0 pg mL^?1. The simple fabrication method, high sensitivity, good reproducibility, stability, as well as acceptable accuracy for TNF‐α detection in human serum samples are the main advantages of this immunosensor, which might have broad applications in protein diagnostics and bioassay.     

Fabrication of an Electrochemical E. coli Biosensor in Biowells Using Bimetallic Nanoparticle‐Labelled Antibodies

An electrochemical biosensor was developed for the determination of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in water. For this purpose, silver‐gold core‐shell (Ag@Au) bioconjugates and anti‐E. coli modified PS‐microwells were designed in a sandwich‐type format in order to obtain higher sensitivity and selectivity. Ag@Au bimetallic nanoparticles were synthesized by co‐reduction method. The core‐shell formation was analyzed by using UV‐Vis spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Biotin labeled anti‐E. coli antibodies were coupled with Ag@Au nanoparticles to form bioconjugates. The electrochemical immunosensor was prepared by immobilizing anti‐E. coli on polystyrene (PS)‐microwells via chemical bonding. These modified microwells were identified with X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy. E. coli was sandwiched between Ag@Au bioconjugates and anti‐E. coli on PS‐microwells at different concentrations. The relationship between the E. coli concentration and stripping current of gold ions (Au³⁺) were investigated by square wave anodic stripping voltammetry at pencil graphite electrode. The proposed method can provide some advantages such as lower detection limit and shorter detection time. The electrochemical response for the immunosensor was linear with the concentration of the E. coli in the range of 10¹ and 10⁵ cfu/mL with a limit of detection 3 cfu/mL. The procedure maintains good sensitivity and repeatability and also offers utility in the fields of environmental monitoring and clinical diagnosis.     

An Amperometric Immunosensor Based on Layer‐by‐Layer Assembly of L‐Cysteine and Nanosized Prussian Blue on Gold Electrode for Determination of Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin

A novel amperometric immunosensor based on L ‐cysteine/nanosized Prussian blue bilayer films ({NPB/L ‐cys}₂) and gold nanoparticles (nano‐Au) was fabricated for determination of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG). First, L ‐cys and NPB was self‐assembled by layer‐by‐layer (LBL) technology to form {NPB/L ‐cys}₂ bilayer films on the gold electrode. Subsequently, nano‐Au layer was immobilized on the {NPB/L ‐cys}₂ bilayer films by electrodepositing gold chloride tetrahydrate and then anti‐HCG was assembly on the nano‐Au layer. Finally hemoglobin (Hb) was employed to block sites against nonspecific binding. With the electrocatalytic ability of Hb and NPB for the reduction of H₂O₂, the current signal of the antigen‐antibody reaction was amplified and the enhanced sensitivity was achieved. In this study, the assembly process and performance of the immunosensor were characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and the morphology was researched by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The immunosensor performed a high sensitivity and a wide linear response to HCG in two ranges from 0.5 to 10 mIU/mL and from 10 to 200 mIU/mL with a relatively low detection limit of 0.2 mIU/mL at 3 times the background noise, as well as good stability and long‐term life.     

Regenerable Leptin Immunosensor Based on Protein G Immobilized Au‐Pyrrole Propylic Acid‐Polypyrrole Nanocomposite

A regenerable, labelless electrochemical immunosensor is investigated. In this work, pyrrole (Py) and pyrrole propylic acid (Pa) were co‐electropolymerized in the presence of gold nanoparticles to form a porous, conductive, stable and hydrophilic nanocomposite, followed by the covalent attachment of protein G to capture an antibody as the probe for the immunoassay. The regeneration of the sensor was achieved by rinsing the electrodes with 0.1 M glycine buffer (pH 2.7). The binding and dissociation of the antibody with protein G and optimization of the efficient immobilization were studied by impedance and optical measurements, respectively. The charge transfer resistance obtained from the impedance measurements is used to study the interaction between antibody‐protein G and antibody‐antigen. The immunosensor performance and its regenerability were evaluated by using anti‐leptin IgG as the probe protein to detect leptin in 0.01 M PBS, and its specificity was tested in 1% human serum. The leptin impedimetric immunosensor exhibits a detection dynamic range of 10–100 000 ng/mL with 10 ng/mL detection limit in 0.01 M PBS+1% serum solutions. This work proves the feasibility to make a sensitive, regenerative electrochemical immunosensor, which could be very useful for environmental control and food analysis.     

Comparison of Electrochemical and Surface Plasmon Resonance Immunosensor Responses on Single Thin Film

This paper reports results obtained when comparing an electrochemical enzyme immunosensor and a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) based immunosensor on the same gold surface installed in an electrochemical SPR flow cell. Simultaneous electrochemical and SPR measurements were performed on a gold surface modified with multilayers of poly‐L ‐lysine and poly‐styrenesulfonate assembled with the layer‐by‐layer method. First, we obtained the SPR response induced by the formation of an immunocomplex from the shift in the SPR angle by injecting an anti tumor necrosis factor‐α antibody solution labeled with alkaline phosphatase into the flow cell containing the multilayer modified with tumor necrosis factor‐α. Then we compared this SPR result with that obtained for the electrochemical oxidation current of p‐aminophenol catalyzed by alkaline phosphatase from p‐aminophenolphosphate on the same gold film. We compared the two immunosensor responses obtained using the different measurement principles and found that there was a high correlation efficient of 0.973 between them. This was because we were able to immobilize the immunoreagents with good stability and without losing the transport of the enzyme product in the multilayer whose thickness we easily controlled with nanometer scale accuracy. We also report that the detection limit of our electrochemical immunosensor after optimization was around 100 pg/mL (0.4 pM), which is one of the lowest values yet reported for an electrochemical immunosensor.     

Hollow mesoporous silica microspheres as sensitive labels for immunoassay of prostate-specific antigen

A novel electrochemical immunosensor for sensitive detection of cancer biomarker prostate-specific antigen (PSA) has been reported based on nanoporous gold (NPG) and hollow mesoporous silica microspheres (HSMs). The immunoassay was conducted by following the typical procedure for sandwich-type immunoreaction. Nanoporous gold (NPG) foils were immobilized onto a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) for primary anti-PSA (Ab(1)) anchoring. Making use of the unique properties of NPG, antibodies could be self-assembled onto the support-free NPG via amine-Au affinity with a high loading amount and reserve high immunological activity. HSMs were used as a secondary anti-PSA antibody (Ab(2)) label. For the preparation of the label, mediator thionine (TH) was first conjugated onto amino-functionalized HSMs (NH(2)-HSMs) via crosslinking with glutaraldehyde, and then the amino group of TH was used to immobilize horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and Ab(2). Due to the large specific surface area of NH(2)-HSMs, the loading of antibodies as well as mediator and enzyme onto HSMs was substantially increased, which increased the sensitivity of the immunosensor. The immunosensor exhibited a high sensitivity and showed a linear response within the range of 0.01-10 ng mL(-1) PSA, low detection limit (6.00 pg mL(-1)), good reproducibility and stability. Significantly, the new method may be quite promising, with potential broad applications for clinical immunoassays.     

A Reagentless Amperometric Immunosensor for Alpha‐Fetoprotein Based on Gold Nanoparticles/TiO2 Colloids/Prussian Blue Modified Platinum Electrode

A novel reagentless amperometric immunosensor for the determination of alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) was prepared by immobilizing TiO₂ colloids on Prussian blue (PB) modified platinum electrode, which yielded a positively charged interface with strong adsorption to deposit gold nanoparticles for immobilization of alpha‐fetoprotein antibody (anti‐AFP). The factors influencing the performance of the proposed immunosensors were studied in detail. Under the optimized conditions, cyclic voltammograms determination of AFP showed a specific response in two concentration ranges from 3.0 to 30.0 ng/mL and from 30.0 to 300.0 ng/mL with a detection limit of 1.0 ng/mL at a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 3. The proposed immunosensor exhibited high selectivity, good reproducibility, long‐term stability (>2 months) and good repeatability.