An origami paper device for complete elimination of interferents in enzymatic electrochemical biosensors

Many efforts have been made to prevent interferences in enzymatic electrochemical biosensors by permselective membranes or mediators with low redox potential. However, it is difficult to completely eliminate interferents without compromised sensitivity by these traditional procedures. We propose here a method based on an origami paper device that separates the electrochemical reactions of interferents and substrates for complete depletion of interferents and precise analysis of substrates. Interferents such as ascorbate, urate and paracetamol were completely consumed by a simple electrolysis step, while substrates were quantitatively analyzed by coulometry. With GOx as a model enzyme, an interference-free and calibration-free coulometric glucose biosensor has been demonstrated successfully. The proposed origami paper device provides a facile and easy-controlled approach to eliminate the electroactive interferents completely for enzymatic electrochemical biosensors.     

Trends in electrochemical biosensors

The development of electrochemically based biosensors is discussed in the context of what has been learned from the successful development of glucose biosensors. Some future trends are discussed.     

DNA electrochemical biosensors

Disposable electrochemical DNA-based biosensors are reviewed; they have been used for the determination of low-molecular weight compounds with affinity for nucleic acids and for the detection of the hybridisation reaction. The first application is related to the molecular interaction between surface-linked DNA and the target pollutants or drugs, in order to develop a simple device for rapid screening of toxic or similar compounds. The determination of such compounds was measured by their effect on the oxidation signal of the guanine peak of calf thymus DNA immobilised on the electrode surface and investigated by chronopotentiometric analysis. The DNA biosensor is able to detect known intercalating compounds, such as daunomycin, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), aflatoxin B1, and aromatic amines. Applicability to river and waste water samples is also demonstrated. Disposable electrochemical sensors for the detection of a specific sequence of DNA were realised by immobilising synthetic single-stranded oligonucleotides onto a graphite screen-printed electrode. The probes became hybridised with different concentrations of complementary sequences present in the sample. The hybrids formed on the electrode surface were evaluated by chronopotentiometric analysis using daunomycin as indicator of the hybridisation reaction. The hybridisation was also performed using real samples. Application to apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is described, in this case samples have to be amplified by PCR and then analysed by DNA biosensor. The extension of such procedures to samples of environmental interest or to contamination of food is discussed.     

Enzyme-based electrochemical biosensors

There has been an increased interest in the use of electrochemical sensors in clinical diagnostics because of the recent trend toward testing in satellite laboratories and the physician's office. The coupling of enzymes with electrochemical sensors permits the simple determination of metabolites, therapeutic drugs, antigens, and antibodies.     

Nanomaterial-based electrochemical biosensors

The unique properties of nanoscale materials offer excellent prospects for interfacing biological recognition events with electronic signal transduction and for designing a new generation of bioelectronic devices exhibiting novel functions. In this Highlight I address recent research that has led to powerful nanomaterial-based electrical biosensing devices and examine future prospects and challenges. New nanoparticle-based signal amplification and coding strategies for bioaffinity assays are discussed, along with carbon-nanotube molecular wires for achieving efficient electrical communication with redox enzyme and nanowire-based label-free DNA sensors.     

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.     

Disposable electrochemical biosensors.

The market for decentralized clinical testing is undergoing expansion. Electrochemical biosensors represent one approach to the different demands of this market. A range of sensing systems are described which use electrochemical techniques for the measurement of various analytes and which have been demonstrated to be applicable to the manufacturing methods required for single-use disposable tests.     

Strategies for electrochemical biosensors

New initiatives for the development of novel biosensors require a synthesis of biological and analyical concepts. Possible strategies involve the use of chemoreceptor structures, immunoagents, and cellular materials from plant or animal sources.     

Ferrocenyl and permethylferrocenyl cyclic and polyhedral siloxane polymers as mediators in amperometric biosensors

Cyclosiloxane and silsesquioxane-based ferrocenyl and permethylferrocenyl polymers have been used as mediators in amperometric enzyme electrodes for the detection of glucose. Biosensors have been prepared by electrostatically immobilizing the enzyme glucose oxidase (GOx) on electrodes modified with the polymers. The steady-state amperometric response of the sensors is investigated as a function of the applied potential and substrate concentration. The dependence of the sensors response on the structure of the siloxane-framework and on the presence or not of methyl groups on the ferrocenyl units is discussed.     

Graphene as signal amplifier for preparation of ultrasensitive electrochemical biosensors

Early diagnosis of diseases with minimal cost and time-consumption has become achievable due to recent advances in the development of biosensors. These devices use biorecognition elements for the selective interaction with an analyte and the signal read-out is obtained via different types of transducers. The operational characteristics of biosensors have been reported as improving substantially when a diverse range of nanomaterials is employed. This review presents the construction of electrochemical biosensors based on graphene, atomically thin 2D carbon crystals, a nanomaterial currently the subject of intensive studies. Here, the most attractive directions for graphene applications in biosensor preparation are discussed, including novel detection and amplification schemes exploiting graphene’s unique electrochemical, physical and chemical properties. There is probably a very bright future for graphene-based biosensors, but much further work is required to fulfill the high expectations.     

Flow electrochemical biosensors based on enzymatic porous reactor and tubular detector of silver solid amalgam

A flow amperometric enzymatic biosensor for the determination of glucose was constructed. The biosensor consists of a flow reactor based on porous silver solid amalgam (AgSA) and a flow tubular detector based on compact AgSA. The preparation of the sensor and the determination of glucose occurred in three steps. First, a self-assembled monolayer of 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) was formed at the porous surface of the reactor. Second, enzyme glucose oxidase (GOx) was covalently immobilized at MUA-layer using N-ethyl-N′-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carboimide and N-hydroxysuccinimide chemistry. Finally, a decrease of oxygen concentration (directly proportional to the concentration of glucose) during enzymatic reaction was amperometrically measured on the tubular detector under flow injection conditions. The following parameters of glucose determination were optimized with respect to amperometric response: composition of the mobile phase, its concentration, the potential of detection and the flow rate. The calibration curve of glucose was linear in the concentration range of 0.02–0.80 mmol L⁻¹ with detection limit of 0.01 mmol L⁻¹. The content of glucose in the sample of honey was determined as 35.5 ± 1.0 mass % (number of the repeated measurements n = 7; standard deviation SD = 1.2%; relative standard deviation RSD = 3.2%) which corresponds well with the declared values. The tested biosensor proved good long-term stability (77% of the current response of glucose was retained after 35 days).     

Artificial electron donors for nitrate and nitrite reductases usable as mediators in amperometric biosensors

Various nitrate and nitrite reductases are capable of accepting electrons from artificial donors. Combining these redox active donors with an amperometric redox electrode which is covered with an immobilized layer of such a nitrate or nitrite reductase, new enzyme sensors can be created for the detection of nitrate or nitrite, respectively. A range of suitable electron donors for nitrate reductases and nitrite reductase from different sources have been selected and characterized by electrochemical methods.     

Arylferrocenylmethanols: a new family of ferrocenes to be used as mediators in biosensors

Arylferrocenylphenylmethanols, ArFcPhCOH, were prepared from the corresponding aryl ferrocenyl ketones, ArCOFc, prepared by Friedel–Crafts acylation. pK_a values of ArCOFc were determined in sulfuric acid. The electrochemical properties of ArFcPhCOH were investigated. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Arginine-hydrolyzing enzymes for electrochemical biosensors

Since l-Arginine (Arg) is a semi-essential amino acid for humans, its adequate amount must be consumed in the diet to prevent certain negative consequences related to insufficient synthesis of this amino acid under specific physiological conditions. Arg metabolism results in the production of a biochemically diverse range of such products as urea, some amino acids, creatine, polyamines, nitric oxide, etc. Arg, an important biomarker in clinical diagnostics, is also used for prevention/treatment of different diseases, including cancer and COVID-19. Furthermore, it serves as an indicator of food and beverages quality.A variety of optic and electrochemical methods for Arg determination have already been suggested. The biosensor systems based on the enzymes of Arg metabolism were shown to be the most promising tools for Arg assay. This review focuses on the peculiarities of electrochemical biosensors for Arg assay based on the use of Arg-degrading enzymes and on the analysis of their advantages as compared to other approaches.     

Advances in the design of nanomaterial-based electrochemical affinity and enzymatic biosensors for metabolic biomarkers: A review

This review (with 340 refs) focuses on methods for specific and sensitive detection of metabolites for diagnostic purposes, with particular emphasis on electrochemical nanomaterial-based sensors. It also covers novel candidate metabolites as potential biomarkers for diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases, autism spectrum disorder and hepatitis. Following an introduction into the field of metabolic biomarkers, a first major section classifies electrochemical biosensors according to the bioreceptor type (enzymatic, immuno, apta and peptide based sensors). A next section covers applications of nanomaterials in electrochemical biosensing (with subsections on the classification of nanomaterials, electrochemical approaches for signal generation and amplification using nanomaterials, and on nanomaterials as tags). A next large sections treats candidate metabolic biomarkers for diagnosis of diseases (in the context with metabolomics), with subsections on biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases, autism spectrum disorder and hepatitis. The Conclusion addresses current challenges and future perspectives.

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Graphical abstract This review focuses on the recent developments in electrochemical biosensors based on the use of nanomaterials for the detection of metabolic biomarkers. It covers the critical metabolites for some diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases, autism spectrum disorder and hepatitis.

     

An introduction to electrochemical DNA biosensors

Electrochemical DNA biosensors exploit the affinity of single-stranded DNA for complementary strands of DNA and are used in the detection of specific sequences of DNA with a view towards developing portable analytical devices. Great progress has been made in this field but there are still numerous challenges to overcome. This review for researchers new to the field describes the components of electrochemical DNA biosensors and the important issues in their design. Methods of transducing DNA binding events are discussed along with future directions for DNA biosensors.