Amperometric Magnetoimmunosensors for Direct Determination of D‐Dimer in Human Serum

Two different D‐dimer disposable amperometric immunosensing designs based on indirect competitive or sandwich formats and the use of carboxylic acid‐modified magnetic beads (COOH‐MBs) and screen‐printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) have been developed and compared. In both approaches, the resulting modified MBs were magnetically captured on the surface of a SPCE which was used as the transducer for the electrochemical detection at ?0.20 V upon addition of H₂O₂, and hydroquinone (HQ). Both configurations exhibited linear ranges of clinical usefulness and detection limits quite below the clinical threshold (0.5 µg mL^?1 D‐dimer). The sandwich configuration has been successfully tested with serum samples.     

Dual Amperometric Immunosensor for Improving Cancer Metastasis Detection by the Simultaneous Determination of Extracellular and Soluble Circulating Fraction of Emerging Metastatic Biomarkers

This paper reports the development of a dual immunosensor using magnetic microcarriers (MBs) and amperometric transduction at dual screen‐printed carbon electrodes (SPdCEs) for the simultaneous determination of two biomarkers: interleukin‐13 receptor α2 (IL‐13Rα2) and E‐cadherin (E‐CDH), with both extracellular and soluble fraction; oncogenic and tumor suppressor markers, respectively, of great relevance in metastatic processes. The implemented methodology involved the formation of sandwich‐type immunocomplexes using specific capture antibodies immobilized onto carboxylic acid magnetic microbeads (HOOC‐MBs), and biotinylated detector antibodies labeled with streptavidin?horseradish peroxidase conjugates (Strep‐HRP). The amperometric detection was performed by addition of hydrogen peroxide in the presence of hydroquinone (HQ) as the redox mediator. The dual immunosensing platform provided linear calibration ranges suitable for the determination of both biomarkers in liquid and solid clinical specimens as well as excellent selectivity against other cancer biomarkers. This simple handling dual bioplatform was applied to the determination of the soluble and extracellular fraction of the target biomarkers in serum and paraffined‐embedded tissues from colorectal cancer (CRC) patients diagnosed at different tumor grade. The obtained results reveal great potential of this configuration to improve the reliability in diagnosing metastatic CRC.     

Amperometric magnetoimmunoassay for the direct detection of tumor necrosis factor alpha biomarker in human serum

An amperometric immunoassay for the determination of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) protein biomarker in human serum based on the use of magnetic microbeads (MBs) and disposable screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) has been developed. The specifically modified microbeads were magnetically captured on the working electrode surface and the amperometric responses were measured at −0.20 V (vs. Ag pseudo-reference electrode), upon addition of hydroquinone (HQ) as electron transfer mediator and H₂O₂ as the enzyme substrate. After a thorough optimization of the assay, extremely low limits of detection were achieved: 2.0 pg mL⁻¹ (36 fM) and 5.8 pg mL⁻¹ (105 fM) for standard solutions and spiked human serum, respectively. The simplicity, robustness and this clinically interesting LOD proved the developed TNFα immunoassay as a good contender for real clinical application.     

Multiplexed Determination of Amino‐Terminal Pro‐B‐Type Natriuretic Peptide and C‐Reactive Protein Cardiac Biomarkers in Human Serum at a Disposable Electrochemical Magnetoimmunosensor

A rapid magnetoimmunosensor for the simultaneous determination of two cardiac biomarkers, amino‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) and C‐reactive protein (CRP), in human serum is described. Specific capture antibodies were covalently immobilized onto carboxylic acid‐modified magnetic beads. The quantification of NT‐proBNP and CRP was performed by using indirect competitive and sandwich configurations, respectively, and horseradish peroxidase‐labeled tracers. The use of dual screen‐printed carbon electrodes allowed the achievement of simultaneous independent amperometric readout for each cardiac biomarker. The developed methodology showed very low limits of detection (0.47 ng mL^?1). An international standard for CRP serum spiked with NT‐proBNP was analyzed to evaluate the usefulness of the magnetoimmunosensor.     

Comparative evaluation of the performance of electrochemical immunosensors using magnetic microparticles and nanoparticles. Application to the determination of tyrosine kinase receptor AXL

Electrochemical sandwich immunoassay strategies involving the use of carboxyl-functionalized magnetic microbeads (cMBs) and magnetic nanoparticles (cMNPs) have been evaluated and compared. The proteolytically cleaved soluble tyrosine kinase receptor sAXL was used as the target analyte. Antibodies against AXL were covalently immobilized on cMBs or cMNPs. Immunobinding of AXL was detected by means of a secondary biotinylated antibody and a streptavidin-horseradish peroxidase conjugate. The electrochemical transduction was accomplished by capturing the cMBs or cMNPs bearing the immunoconjugates onto screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) by using a small magnet. The amperometric response was measured at ?0.20 V (vs the silver pseudo-reference electrode of the SPCE) upon the addition of H₂O₂ in the presence of hydroquinone as the redox mediator. The calibration plots for AXL extended up to 7.5 ng mL^?1 when cMBs were used for the preparation of the immunosensor and up to 40 ng mL^?1 in the case of using cMNPs. The respective slope values were 158 (cMBs) and 43 nA mL ng^?1 (cMNPs), while the achieved LODs were 74 (cMBs) and 75 pg mL^?1 (cMNPs). Although the immunosensors prepared with cMBs provided a shorter range of linearity, they exhibited a 3.7-times larger sensitivity than those constructed with cMNPs. The successful application of the new strategies was demonstrated for the determination of the endogenous content of sAXL in real human serum samples (a cut-off value of 71 ng mL^?1 have been established for patients with risk of heart failure). The immunosensors constructed using cMBs or cMNPs can be advanta geously compared, in terms of sensitivity and fabrication time, with the only immunosensor for AXL previously reported. In addition, these new immunosensors took approximately half time than ELISA to perform the assay.

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Graphical abstract Comparative evaluation of the performance of amperometric immunosensors for tyrosine kinase receptor AXL determination using carboxyl-modified magnetic microparticles (cMBs) and nanoparticles (cMNPs) and application to the determination of the endogeneous concentration in real human serum samples.

     

Electrochemical Biosensor Based on Nanocomposites Film of Thiol Graphene‐Thiol Chitosan/Nano Gold for the Detection of Carcinoembryonic Antigen

In this paper, a thiol graphene‐thiol chitosan‐gold nanoparticles (thGP‐thCTS‐AuNPs) nanocomposites film with porous structure was fabricated by electrochemically depositing on glassy carbon electrode (GCE), which exhibited good biocompatibility and improved conductivity, to construct immunosensor free label for detection of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). The electrochemical behavior of this immunosensor was investigated by cyclic voltammetry. Under the optimum conditions, the immunosensor revealed a good amperometric response to CEA in two linear ranges (0.3–8.0 ng mL^?1 and 8.0–100 ng mL^?1) with a detection limit of 0.03 ng mL^?1. The results indicated that the immunosensor has the advantages of good selectivity, high sensitivity, and good stability for the determination of CEA.     

Sensitive Quantification of Fe(III) in Food Samples at Screen Printed Carbon Electrode Modified with Graphene and Piroxicam by Catalytic Adsorptive Voltammetry

A new disposable sensitive voltammetric sensor for the determination of Fe(III) based on a graphene (G) and piroxicam (Pir) modified screen printed carbon electrode (Pir/G/SPCE) has been developed. The developed method is based on accumulation of Fe(III) on the surface of the prepared sensor strip, formation a complex with Pir and subsequent reduction the adsorbed chelated Fe(III) at ?0.03 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) coupled with the catalytic enhancement of bromate. Characterizations of the modified electrode surface were performed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Electrochemical behavior of the modified SPCEs was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Under the optimum conditions, the catalytic voltammetric method exhibited linear calibration plot in the concentration ranges of 1–100 ng mL^?1 and 100–3500 ng mL^?1 Fe(III) with a limit of detection of 0.3 ng mL^?1. The sensor strip displayed good reproducibility with 1.7 % relative standard deviation (RSD%). The developed method was successfully applied for the determination of iron in food samples such as vegetables, fruit, and cereal.     

Disposable amperometric magnetoimmunosensor for the sensitive detection of the cardiac biomarker amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide in human serum

A novel amperometric magnetoimmunosensor using an indirect competitive format is developed for the sensitive detection of the amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). The immunosensor design involves the covalent immobilization of the antigen onto carboxylic-modified magnetic beads (HOOC-MBs) activated with N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N′-ethylcarbodiimide (EDC) and N-hydroxysulfosuccinimide (sulfo-NHS), and further incubation in a mixture solution containing variable concentrations of the antigen and a fixed concentration of an HRP-labeled detection antibody. Accordingly, the target NT-proBNP in the sample and that immobilized on the MBs compete for binding to a fixed amount of the specific HRP-labeled secondary antibody. The immunoconjugate-bearing MBs are captured by a magnet placed under the surface of a disposable gold screen-printed electrode (Au/SPE). The amperometric responses measured at –0.10 V (vs. a Ag pseudo-reference electrode), upon addition of 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) as electron transfer mediator and H₂O₂ as the enzyme substrate, are used to monitor the affinity reaction. The developed magnetoimmunosensor provides attractive analytical characteristics in 10-times diluted human serum samples, exhibiting a linear range of clinical usefulness (0.12–42.9 ng mL⁻¹) and a detection limit of 0.02 ng mL⁻¹, which can be used in clinical diagnosis of chronic heart failure in the elderly and for classifying patients at risk of death after heart transplantation. The magnetoimmunosensor was successfully applied to the analysis of spiked human serum samples.     

Multiplexed Determination of Fertility-related Hormones in Saliva Using Amperometric Immunosensing

This paper reports a dual immunosensor for the simultaneous determination of two important fertility-related hormones: 17β-estradiol, E2, and follicle-stimulating hormone, FSH. The implemented method involves direct competitive (E2) or sandwich-type (FSH) immunoassays carried out on magnetic microparticles (MBs) and amperometric detection at screen-printed dual carbon electrodes (SPdCEs) involving the hydroquinone (HQ)/H₂O₂ system. The developed immune platform demonstrates LOD values of 6.88 pg mL⁻¹ and 0.11 mIU mL⁻¹ for E2 and FSH standards, respectively and usefulness for the determination in saliva samples collected from different volunteers, giving results in agreement with the conventional ELISA methodologies.     

Biometallization‐Based Electrochemical Magnetoimmunosensing Strategy for Avian Influenza A (H7N9) Virus Particle Detection

A highly sensitive electrochemical immunosensor for avian influenza A (H7N9) virus (H7N9 AIV) detection was proposed by using electrochemical magnetoimmunoassay coupled with biometallization and anodic stripping voltammetry. This strategy could accumulate the enzyme‐generated product on the surface of the magneto electrode by means of silver deposition, which amplified the detection signal about 80 times. The use of magnetic beads (MBs) and the magneto electrode could also amplify the detection signal. Furthermore, a bi‐electrode signal transduction system was introduced into this immunosensor, which is also beneficial to the immunoassay. A concentration as low as 0.011 ng mL^?1 of H7N9 AIV could be detected in about 1.5 h with good specificity. This study not only provides a simple and sensitive approach for virus detection but also offers an effective signal enhancement strategy for the development of highly sensitive MB‐based electrochemical immunoassays.     

Selective extraction of catecholamines by packed fiber solid‐phase using composite nanofibers composing of polymeric crown ether with polystyrene

For the first time, electrospun composite nanofibers comprising polymeric crown ether with polystyrene (PCE‐PS) have been used for the selective extraction of catecholamines – dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E) – prior to their analysis by high‐performance liquid chromatography–electrochemical detection. Using a minicartridge packed with PCE‐PS composite nanofibers, the target compounds were extracted effectively from urine samples to which diphenylborinic acid 2‐aminoethyl ester was added as a complexing reagent. The extracted catecholamines could be liberated from the fiber by the addition of acetic acid. A good linearity was observed for catecholamines in the range of 2.0–200 ng mL^?1 (NE, E and DA). The detection limits of catecholamines (signal‐to‐noise ratio = 3) were 0.5 ng mL^?1 (NE), 0.2 ng mL^?1 (E) and 0.2 ng mL^?1 (DA), respectively. Under the optimized conditions, the absolute recoveries of the above three catecholamines were 90.6% (NE), 88.5% (E) and 94.5% (DA). The repeatability of extraction performance was from 5.4 to 9.2% (expressed as relative standard deviation). Our results indicate that the proposed method could be used for the determination of NE, E and DA in urine. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Multi‐electrochemical Competitive Immunosensor for Sensitive Cocaine Determination in Biological Samples

A multi‐electrochemical competitive immunosensor for the rapid determination of unmetabolized cocaine (COC) in urine, saliva and human serum matrices is reported. Anti‐cocaine polyclonal antibodies were immobilized in an oriented way onto protein‐G functionalized magnetic beads. The immunosensor is based on an array of eight carbon‐based screen‐printed electrodes for simultaneous electrochemical determinations. The treatments of the biological samples were simplified and optimized for avoiding matrix interferences. The immunosensor was sensitive (EC₅₀≈2.92–3.88 ng mL^?1 COC), required a very small volume of sample (200 µL), was reproducible (%RSD was lesser than about 18 %), and accurate (recovery percentages ranged 88–117 %).     

Amplified Electrochemical Immunosensor for Calmodulin Detection Based on Gold‐Silver‐Graphene Hybrid Nanomaterials and Enhanced Gold Nanorods Labels

Calmodulin (CaM) is an important intracellular calcium‐binding protein. It plays a critical role in a variety of biological and biochemical processes. In this paper, a new electrochemical immunosensing protocol for sensitive detection of CaM was developed by using gold‐silver‐graphene (AuAgGP) hybrid nanomaterials as protein immobilization matrices and gold nanorods (GNRs) as enhanced electrochemical labels. Electrode was first modified with thionine‐chitosan film to provide an immobilization support for gold‐silver‐graphene hybrid nanomaterials. The hybrid materials formed an effective matrix for binding of CaM with high density and improved the electrochemical responses as well. Gold nanorods were prepared for the fabrication of enhanced labels (HRP‐Ab₂‐GNRs), which provided a large capacity for HRP‐Ab₂ immobilization and a facile pathway for electron transfer. With two‐step immunoassay format, the HRP‐Ab₂‐GNRs labels were introduced onto the electrode surface, and produced electrochemical responses by catalytic reaction of HRP toward enzyme substrate of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in the presence of thionine. The proposed immunosensor showed an excellent analytical performance for the detection of CaM ranging from 50 pg mL^?1 to 200 ng mL^?1 with a detection limit of 18 pg mL^?1. The immunosensor has also been successfully applied to the CaM analysis in two cancer cells (HepG2 and MCF‐7) with high sensitivity, which has shown great potency for improving clinic diagnosis and treatment for cancer study.     

A novel immunosensor for carcinoembryonic antigen based on poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) protected prussian blue nanoparticles and double-layer nanometer-sized gold particles

A highly sensitive amperometric immunosensor has been developed for the detection of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). It is based on (a) Prussian Blue nanoparticles coated with poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (P-PB) and (b) double-layer gold nanocrystals. The sensor was obtained by first electrodepositing porous gold nanocrystals on the glassy carbon electrode (GCE), and then by modifying the electrode with the coated P-PB. Subsequently, colloidal gold nanoparticles (nano-Au) were adsorbed onto the GCE by electrostatic interactions between the negatively charged nano-Au and the positively charged P-PB to immobilize CEA antibodies. Finally, bovine serum albumin was employed to block possible remaining active sites and to prevent the non-specific adsorption on the nano-Au. This immunosensor was characterized by cyclic voltammetry and scanning electron microscopy. The working range was adjusted to two concentration ranges, viz. from 0.5 to 10 ng.mL^?1, and from 10 to 120 ng.mL^?1 of CEA, with a detection limit of 0.2 ng.mL^?1 at three times the background noise.     

Disposable amperometric magneto-immunosensor for direct detection of tetracyclines antibiotics residues in milk

The preparation and performance of a disposable amperometric magneto-immunosensor, involving the use of a selective capture antibody immobilized on the surface of protein G-functionalized magnetic beads (ProtG-MBs) and screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs), for the specific detection and quantification of tetracyclines (TCs) residues in milk is reported. A direct competitive immunoassay using a tracer with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) for the enzymatic labeling was performed. The amperometric response measured at −0.2 V vs. the silver pseudo-reference electrode of the SPCE upon the addition of H₂O₂ in the presence of hydroquinone (HQ) as redox mediator was used as transduction signal. The developed methodology showed very low limits of detection (in the low ppb level) for 4 tetracycline antibiotics tested in untreated milk samples, and a good selectivity against other antibiotic residues frequently detected in milk and dairy products. The usefulness of the magneto-immunosensor was demonstrated by analyzing UHT whole milk samples spiked with 44 ng mL⁻¹ tetracycline (TC) as well as a reference milk containing a certified oxytetracycline (OTC) content. These features, together with the short analysis time (30 min), the simplicity, and easy automation and miniaturization of the required instrumentation make the developed methodology a promising alternative in the development of devices for on-site analysis.     

Sensitive and selective magnetoimmunosensing platform for determination of the food allergen Ara h 1

A highly sensitive disposable amperometric immunosensor based on the use of magnetic beads (MBs) is described for determination of Ara h 1, the major peanut allergen, in only 2 h. The approach uses a sandwich configuration involving selective capture and biotinylated detector antibodies and carboxylic acid-modified MBs (HOOC-MBs). The MBs bearing the immunoconjugates are captured by a magnet placed under the surface of a disposable screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) and the affinity reactions are monitored amperometrically at −0.20 V (vs a Ag pseudo-reference electrode) in the presence of hydroquinone (HQ) as electron transfer mediator and upon addition of H₂O₂ as the enzyme substrate. The developed immunosensor exhibits a wide range of linearity between 20.8 and 1000.0 ng mL⁻¹ Ara h 1, a detection limit of 6.3 ng mL⁻¹, a great selectivity, a good reproducibility with a RSD of 6.3% for six different immunosensors and a useful lifetime of 25 days. The usefulness of the immunosensor was demonstrated by determining Ara h 1 in different matrices (food extracts and saliva). The results correlated properly with those provided by a commercial ELISA method offering a reliable and promising analytical screening tool in the development of user-friendly devices for on-site determination of Ara h 1.     

Study on an immunosensor based on gold nanoparticles and a nano-calcium carbonate/Prussian blue modified glassy carbon electrode

An amperometric carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) immunosensor was fabricated based on Prussian blue (PB), nano-calcium carbonate (nano-CaCO₃) and nano-gold modified glassy carbon electrode. First, PB as a mediator was deposited on glassy carbon electrode to obtain a negatively charged surface. Then, positive nano-CaCO₃ was adsorbed on the PB modified electrode through electrostatic interaction. Subsequently, gold nanoparticles were deposited on the nano-CaCO₃/PB modified electrode. The use of two kinds of nanomaterials (nano-CaCO₃ and nano-gold) with good biocompatibility as immobilization matrixes not only provides a biocompatible surface for protein loading but also avoids the leaking of PB. The size of nano-CaCO₃ was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The factors influencing the performance of the immunosensor presented were studied in detail. Under the optimized conditions, cyclic voltammograms (CV) determination of CEA showed a specific response in two concentration ranges from 0.3 to 20 ng mL^?1 and from 20 to 100 ng mL^?1 with a detection limit of 0.1 ng mL^?1 at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The immunosensor presented exhibited high selectivity, sensitivity and good stability.     

Highly Selective Adsorptive Cathodic Stripping Voltammetric Determination of Uranium in the Presence of Pyromellitic Acid

A very sensitive and selective adsorptive cathodic stripping procedure for trace measurement of uranium is presented. The method is based on adsorptive accumulation of the uranium‐pyromellitic acid (benzene‐1,2,4,5‐tetracarboxylic acid) complex onto a hanging mercury drop electrode, followed by reduction of the adsorbed species by voltammetric scan using differential pulse modulation. Influences of effective parameters such as pH, concentration of pyromellitic acid, accumulation potential and accumulation time on the sensitivity were studied. The peak current was proportional to the concentration of U(IV) up to 40 ng mL^?1 with a limit of detection of 0.136 ng mL^?1 with an accumulation time of 120 s. The range of linearity enhanced to 71.4 ng mL^?1and the detection limit improved to 0.058 ng mL^?1with accumulation times of 60 s and 300 s respectively. The relative standard deviation for 10 replicate determination of 4.76 ng mL^?1 U(IV) was equal to 2.7%. The possible interference by major cations and anions are investigated. The method was applied to the determination of uranium in some analytical grade salts, seawater and in synthetic samples corresponding to some uranium alloys with satisfactory results.     

Development of an Amperometric Immunosensor for the Quantification of Staphylococcus aureus Using Self‐Assembled Monolayer‐Modified Electrodes as Immobilization Platforms

Amperometric immunosensors for the detection and quantification of S. aureus using MPA self‐assembled monolayer modified electrodes for the immobilization of the immunoreagents are reported. Two different immunosensor configurations were compared. A competitive mode, in which protein A‐bearing S. aureus cells and antiRbIgG labeled with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) compete for the binding sites of RbIgG immobilized onto the 3‐mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) modified electrode, was evaluated. Moreover, a sandwich configuration in which S. aureus cells were immobilized onto the MPA SAM, and RbIgG and antiRbIgG labeled with HRP were further linked to the electrode surface, was also tested. In both cases, TTF was used as the redox mediator of the HRP reaction with H₂O₂, and it was co‐immobilized onto the MPA‐modified gold electrode. After optimization of the working variables for both configurations, the analytical performance of the amperometric measurements carried out at 0.00 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) showed that the competitive immunosensor exhibited a lower limit of detection (1.6×10⁵ S. aureus cells mL^?1), as well as a better repeatability and reproducibility of the measurements.     

Simultaneous Determination of Iron,Copper, and Cadmium by Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetry in the Presence of Thymolphthalexone

A novel, sensitive and selective adsorptive stripping procedure for simultaneous determination of iron, copper and cadmium is presented. The method is based on the adsorptive accumulation of thymolphthalexone (TPN) complexes of these elements onto a hanging mercury drop electrode, followed by reduction of adsorbed species by voltammetric scan using differential pulse modulation. The influences of control variables on the sensitivity of the proposed method for the simultaneous determination of iron, copper and cadmium were studied using the Derringer desirability function. The optimum analytical conditions were found to be TPN concentration of 2.0 μM, pH of 9.5, and accumulation potential at ?0.4 V vs. Ag/AgCl with an accumulation time of 60 s. The peak currents are proportional to the concentration of iron, copper and cadmium over the 1–80, 0.5–100 and 1–100 ng mL^?1 ranges with detection limits of 0.5, 0.4 and 0.9 ng mL^?1_, respectively. The R.S.D. at a concentration level of 20 ng mL^?1 of iron, copper and cadmium were 2.5%, 0.9% and 1.5% (n=6), respectively. The procedure was applied to the simultaneous determination of iron, copper and cadmium in the tap water and some synthetic samples with satisfactory results.