Thick film biosensors for metabolites in undiluted whole blood and plasma samples

The new electrochemical thick film biosensors from Roche Diagnostics are presented. Following considerations about the principal requirements that biosensors have to fulfil to be useful for diagnostic purposes, the basic design of these thick film biosensors is shown. In this paper, the new generation of biosensors for glucose, lactate and urea are presented, as well as data from a new biosensor for creatinine. All biosensors are designed for multiple use, at minimum 500 samples or 1 week in-use (depending on type of enzyme used), for determinations in undiluted whole blood or plasma, with extra electrodes to compensate for interferences. The sensors are integrated in a disposable cassette requiring 38 microtl sample volume. The analytical ranges of the sensors scope well with the normal and pathological concentrations of metabolites in human blood, e.g. for glucose 0.5-40.0 mmol/L. Both biosensors and interference-compensating electrodes are developed to have a cycle time of 90 s maximum. Method comparison diagrams show excellent correlation of results obtained by biosensors compared to results achieved by reference methods. In addition, the possibility of urea and creatinine determinations in diluted urine is presented.     

A novel method for the determination of tiopronin by using potassium ferricyanide as spectroscopic probe reagent in pharmaceutical and urine samples

In this paper, a novel method has been established to determine tiopronin using potassium ferricyanide as spectroscopic probe reagent. It has been demonstrated that Fe(III) is reduced to Fe(II) by tiopronin, and the in situ formed Fe(II) reacts with potassium ferricyanide to form soluble Prussian blue. Beer’s law is obeyed in the range of tiopronin concentration of 0.040–9.00 μg/mL at the maximal absorption wavelength of 735 nm. The linear regression equation is A = 0.0153 + 0.1605c (μg/mL) with a correlation coefficient of 0.9997 and the apparent molar absorption coefficient of 2.6 × 10⁴ L/mol cm. The detection limit is 0.030 μg/mL and RSD is 1.3%. The parameters with regard to determination have been optimized and the reaction mechanism has been discussed. This method has been successfully applied to determine tiopronin in pharmaceutical and urine samples with satisfactory results.     

Development and applications of whole cell biosensors for ecotoxicity testing

Whole cell biosensors are the focus of considerable and increasing interest worldwide as methods for detecting and quantifying environmental toxicity, including biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), heavy metals, antibiotics, pesticides and herbicides. This review follows the development of whole cell biosensors from attempts to utilise changes in cellular metabolism to determine BOD and general toxicity, through the exploitation of unique metabolic pathways to detect specific toxicants, to the increasingly widespread use of genetic engineering to build new, and modify existing, sensing pathways.     

Determination of isoniazid among pharmaceutical samples and the patients’ saliva samples by using potassium ferricyanide as spectroscopic probe reagent

A novel method to determine isoniazid with high sensitivity and good selectivity has been established by using potassium ferricyanide as spectroscopic probe reagent. In the presence of potassium ferricyanide, it has been demonstrated that iron(III) is reduced to iron(II) by isoniazid at pH 4.0. In addition, the in situ formed iron(II) reacts with potassium ferricyanide to give soluble prussian blue. The absorbance of soluble prussian blue is measured at the absorption maximum of 735 nm, and the amount of isoniazid can be calculated based on this absorbance. A good linear relationship of the concentration of isoniazid versus absorbance is observed with a linear range of 0.040-8.00 μg mL⁻¹. The linear regression equation is A = −0.00286 + 0.28588C (μg mL⁻¹) with a correlation coefficient of 0.9992. The detection limit (3σ/k) is 0.037 μg mL⁻¹, and its relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) is 0.35% (n = 11). Moreover, the apparent molar absorption coefficient of indirect determination of isoniazid is 3.92 × 10⁴ L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹. The parameters with regard to determination are optimized, and the reaction mechanism is discussed. This method has been successfully applied to the determination of isoniazid in pharmaceutical samples and saliva samples of patients.     

Investigation of the anthracene-nitroxide hybrid molecule as a probe for hydroxyl radicals.

A new method for the determination of hydroxyl radicals is proposed. The method is based on the use of a hybrid molecule consisting of a fluorescent chromophore, anthracene, and a nitroxide radical. In the hybrid molecule, the nitroxide quenches the fluorescence of anthracene strongly. The reaction of hydroxyl radicals with dimethyl sulfoxide generates quantitatively methyl radicals, which then combine with the nitroxide moiety of the hybrid molecules to result in an increase in the fluorescence intensity. The fluorescence increase is proportional to the concentration of hydroxyl radicals. The proposed method is capable of detecting hydroxyl radicals generated in the Fenton system. It is a simple and sensitive technique for the determination of hydroxyl radicals.     

Magnetic field effect on a radical pair reaction as a probe of microviscosity

The magnetic field effects (MFEs), caused by the Delta g mechanism, on the photoinduced hydrogen abstraction reaction of benzopheneone with thiophenol were investigated in alcoholic solutions of varying viscosities (eta = 0.55 to 59.2 cP) by a nanosecond laser flash photolysis technique. The escape yield of benzophenone ketyl radicals ( Y) gradually decreased with increasing magnetic field strength ( B) from 0 to 1.6 T. The relative yield observed at 1.6 T, R(1.6 T) = Y(1.6 T)/ Y(0 T), decreased with increasing eta in the range of 0.55 cP < or = eta < or = 5 cP, and then increased with increasing eta in the range of 5 cP < eta < or = 55.3 cP. When eta was higher than 55.3 cP, the R(1.6 T) value became 1.0, and MFEs were completely quenched. The observed eta dependence of the MFEs was analyzed by the stochastic Liouville equation (SLE), in which the effects of spin-orbit coupling by a heavy atom such as sulfur were taken into account. The observed MFEs were reproduced fairly well by the SLE analysis. The diffusion coefficients of the radicals obtained by the SLE were about three times smaller than those expected from the macroscopic solvent viscosities. One can probe the microviscosity in the vicinity of the radical pairs by observing MFEs on the present photochemical reaction system.     

Reduction of the interferences of biochemicals and hematocrit ratio on the determination of whole blood glucose using multiple screen-printed carbon electrode test strips

A practical approach to reduce the interferences of biochemicals and hematocrit ratio (Hct%) in the determination of whole blood glucose using multiple screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) test strips is described. SPCE test strips with and without glucose oxidase [i.e., GOD(+)-SPCEs and GOD(-)-SPCEs] were used and the chronoamperometric currents of test glucose solutions with various spiked uric acid concentrations and Hct% were measured. By establishing the interference relationships between glucose concentrations and uric acid concentrations as well as Hct% values and with appropriate corrections, the whole blood glucose determinations could be made to be more accurate and comparable to those determined by the reference YSI method. Specifically, the use of the ΔI value, i.e., the current difference between GOD(+)-SPCE and GOD(-)-SPCE measurements, would reduce most of the uric acid/biochemical interferences. An interpolation method was also established to correct for the glucose determinations with Hct% interferences. The Hct% corrections using the interpolation method are especially important and necessary for those blood samples with glucose concentrations higher than 110 mg dL^-1 and Hct% values lower than 35%. This approach should also be applicable to other biochemical determinations using similar electrochemical techniques. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

In situ Raman spectroscopy as a probe for the effect of power on microwave-promoted Suzuki coupling reactions

We report the use of in situ Raman spectroscopy as a probe for the effect of power on microwave-promoted Suzuki coupling reactions. We find that increased initial microwave power leads to greater acceleration of the reaction but that the product yield obtained is essentially independent of initial microwave power. The application of simultaneous cooling lengthens the reaction time but does not alter the relative rates of the Suzuki coupling and deboronation processes. Performing the reaction at an initial microwave power of 5 W leads to an improvement in product yield.     

Electrochemical lectin based biosensors as a label-free tool in glycomics

Glycans and other saccharide moieties attached to proteins and lipids, or present on the surface of a cell, are actively involved in numerous physiological or pathological processes. Their structural flexibility (that is based on the formation of various kinds of linkages between saccharides) is making glycans superb "identity cards". In fact, glycans can form more "words" or "codes" (i.e., unique sequences) from the same number of "letters" (building blocks) than DNA or proteins. Glycans are physicochemically similar and it is not a trivial task to identify their sequence, or—even more challenging—to link a given glycan to a particular physiological or pathological process. Lectins can recognise differences in glycan compositions even in their bound state and therefore are most useful tools in the task to decipher the "glycocode". Thus, lectin-based biosensors working in a label-free mode can effectively complement the current weaponry of analytical tools in glycomics.This review gives an introduction into the area of glycomics and then focuses on the design, analytical performance, and practical utility of lectin-based electrochemical label-free biosensors for the detection of isolated glycoproteins or intact cells.

Detection of DNA hybridization by various spectroscopic methods using the copper tetraphenylporphyrin complex as a probe

We are presenting new and highly sensitive hybridization assays. They are based on various spectroscopic methods including resonance light scattering, circular dichroism, ultraviolet spectra and fluorescence spectra, as well as atomic force microscopy, and relies on the interaction of the Cu(II), Ni(II), Mg(II), Co(II), Cd(II), and Zn(II) complexes, respectively, of tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) with double-strand DNA (dsDNA) and single strand DNA (ssDNA). The interaction results in amplified resonance light scattering (RLS) signals and enables the detection of hybridization without the need for labeling DNA. The RLS signals are strongest in case of the Cu (II)-TPP complex which therefore was selected as the probe. The technique is simple, robust, accurate, and can be completed in less than one hour.

Stark effect as a probe of the lowest triplet-state orbital configuration in benzophenone and three derivatives

Stark effects on the phosphorescence origins of benzophenone and three derivatives (4,4′-dibromobenzophenone, 2-benzoylpyridine, and 3-benzoylpyridine) in a single 4,4′-dibromodiphenylether host crystal have been observed using electric field modulation spectroscopy. The magnitude of the effect for each molecule is determined by the vector difference in the dipole moments of the excited state and the ground state. These differences are found to be similar for all four molecules. This result demonstrates that the orbital configuration of the lowest triplet state is the same for each of these compounds and may indicate that the charge redistribution upon excitation is localized on the carbonyl group.     

Nylon membrane as a fluorimetric probe for the herbicide bentazone

The fluorimetric signal produced by bentazone retained in selected solid surfaces was investigated. Among the different tested supports, only a microporous nylon membrane produced the desired signal. The quantitative study was carried out by second-order calibration using parallel factor analysis, allowing the determination in a highly interfering medium. A detection limit of 0.4 ng mL⁻¹, a prediction relative error of 8%, and a sample frequency of ten samples per hour were obtained in spiked natural waters using green analytical chemistry principles.     

Celestine blue as a new indicator in electrochemical DNA biosensors

Celestine blue(CB)was introduced as a new electroactive indicator in DNA biosensors.The interaction of CB with DNA was investigated by electrochemical and spectroscopic methods.The effect of buffer kind and p H on the electrochemical behavior of CB was studied.The peak currents of CB were linearly related to DNA concentration in the range of 5.0×10~(-9) to 1.0×10~(-7)mol/L.The detection limit of this approach was 4.76×10~(-10) mol/L.Based on spectrometry data a hypochromic effect was observed in UV-Vis spectra of CB with increasing DNA concentration.The results illustrate the possible interaction mode between CB and DNA is electrostatic binding.     

Oxidation of selenite by alkaline ferricyanide using osmium tetroxide as a catalyst

Summary Oxidation of selenite to selenate by alkaline ferricyanide catalysed by osmium tetroxide was followed by direct and indirect procedures. Either the ferrocyanide was titrated with selenite solution at 8–10% overall alkalinity or vice versa using amperometric or potentiometric end point. In the indirect procedure the excess ferricyanide was determined by amperometric titration with arsenious oxide at 10–15% alkalinity, and the ferrocyanide with ceric sulphate using o-phenanthroline or amperometric indicator. A cerimetric determination of ferricyanide based on this reaction is described.Sincere thanks of the authors are due to Dr. S. S. Joshi, D. Sc. (London), for kind interest in the work.     

Stereochemistry as a probe for photochemical reaction mechanisms

In this publication we have reviewed examples derived from our photochemical investigations where stereochemistry provides information allowing elucidation of the mechanistic details of electronically excited state transformations. The reactions discussed include unimolecular rearrangements of both singlet and triplet excited state species.     

Integration of field effect transistor-based biosensors with a digital microfluidic device for a lab-on-a-chip application

A new platform for lab-on-a-chip system is suggested that utilizes a biosensor array embedded in a digital microfluidic device. With field effect transistor (FET)-based biosensors embedded in the middle of droplet-driving electrodes, the proposed digital microfluidic device can electrically detect avian influenza antibody (anti-AI) in real time by tracing the drain current of the FET-based biosensor without a labeling process. Digitized transport of a target droplet enclosing anti-AI from an inlet to the embedded sensor is enabled by the actuation of electrowetting-on-dielectrics (EWOD). A reduction of the drain current is observed when the target droplet is merged with a pre-existing droplet on the embedded sensor. This reduction of the drain current is attributed to the specific binding of the antigen and the antibody of the AI. The proposed hybrid device consisting of the FET-based sensor and an EWOD device, built on a coplanar substrate by monolithic integration, is fully compatible with current fabrication technology for control and read-out circuitry. Such a completely electrical manner of inducing the transport of bio-molecules, the detection of bio-molecules, the recording of signals, signal processing, and the data transmission process does not require a pump, a fluidic channel, or a bulky transducer. Thus, the proposed platform can contribute to the construction of an all-in-one chip.     

Phloxine B as a probe for entrapment in microcrystalline cellulose

The photophysical behaviour of phloxine B adsorbed onto microcrystalline cellulose was evaluated by reflectance spectroscopy and laser induced time-resolved luminescence in the picosecond-nanosecond and microsecond-millisecond ranges. Analysis of the absorption spectral changes with concentration points to a small tendency of the dye to aggregate in the range of concentrations under study. Prompt fluorescence, phosphorescence and delayed fluorescence spectral decays were measured at room temperature and 77 K, without the need of sample degassing because cellulose protects triplet states from oxygen quenching. In all cases, spectral changes with time and lifetime distribution analysis were consistent with the dye coexisting in two different environments: dyes tightly entrapped between polymer chains in crystalline regions of cellulose showed longer fluorescence and phosphorescence lifetimes and more energetic triplet states, while dyes adsorbed in more amorphous regions of the support showed shorter lifetimes and less energetic triplet states. This behaviour is discussed in terms of the different dye-support interactions in both kinds of adsorption sites.