Label‐free Electrochemical Aptasensor for Carcino‐embryonic Antigen Based on Ternary Nanocomposite of Gold Nanoparticles,Hemin and Graphene

In this report, a label‐free electrochemical aptasensor for carcino‐embryonic antigen (CEA) was successfully developed based on a ternary nanocomposite of gold nanoparticles, hemin and graphene nanosheets (AuNPs‐HGNs). This nanocomposite was prepared by decorating gold nanoparticles on the surface of hemin functionalized graphene nanosheets via a simple wet‐chemical strategy. The aptamer can be assembled on the surface of AuNPs‐HGNs/GCE (glassy carbon electrode) through Au‐S covalent bond to form the sensing interface. Hemin absorbed on the graphene nanosheets not only acts as a protective agent of graphene sheets, but also as an in situ probe base on its excellent redox properties. Gold nanoparticles provide with both numerous binding sites for loading CEA binding aptamer (CBA) and good conductivity to promote the electron transfer. The current changes, which are caused by CEA specifically binding on the modified electrode, are exploited for the label‐free detection of CEA in a very rapid and convenient protocol. Therefore, the method has advantages of high sensitivity, wide linear range (0.0001–10 ng mL^?1), low detection limit (40 fg mL^?1) and attractive specificity. The results illustrate that the proposed label‐free electrochemical aptasensor has a potential application in the biological or clinical target analysis for its simple operation and low cost.     

Electrochemical Aptasensor for Zearalenone Based on DNA Assembly and Exonuclease III as Amplification Strategy

A sensitively electrochemical aptasensor was developed to detect zearalenone, utilizing DNA assembly based on hybridization chain reaction to amplify the signal current and exonuclease III to reduce the background current. The linear range 5.0×10⁻⁵ ng/mL-50 ng/mL, and the limit of detection is 0.013 pg/mL. The fabricated aptasensor showed the high specificity toward aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), fumonisin B1 (FB1) and ochratoxin A (OTA), good repeatability and reproducibility. In addition, the average recoveries of spiked corn and beer samples were in the range of 89 % to 102 %. The established method is of great significance in the field of food safety detection.     

A Facile Electrochemical Immunosensor with Mesoporous Alumina for Detection of Carcinoembryonic Antigen

A label‐free electrochemical immunosensor for the sensitive determination of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was fabricated by immobilizing anti‐CEA onto mesoporous alumina (meso‐Al₂O₃) dispersed in chitosan (0.5 %wt) by the cross‐linking method using glutaraldehyde. Due to its plenty of active sites, meso‐Al₂O₃ showed high catalysis towards hydroquinone. With the electrocatalytic ability of meso‐Al₂O₃ for the reduction of hydroquinone, the current signal of the antigen‐antibody reaction was amplified and the enhanced sensitivity was achieved. The current decreased linearly with CEA concentration in the range of 0.04 to 10 ng/mL (26 pg/mL, S/N=3). The immunosensor had good selectivity and wonderful stability. Furthermore it was applied to the analysis of CEA in serum sample with satisfactory results.     

A Novel Label-free Chronoamperometric Immunosensor Based on a Biocomposite Material for Rapid Detection of Carcinoembryonic Antigen

In this research, poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride)-capped gold nanoparticles, nickel ferrite particles, and carbon nanotubes were combined to form a PANC metal composite. The prepared metal composite modified onto a glassy carbon electrode was electropolymerized with poly(o-phenylenediamine) and immobilized with horseradish peroxidase, anti-carcinoembryonic antigen antibody, and bovine serum albumin to create the label-free immunosensors for rapid detection of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) using chronoamperometry. This developed biocomposite material modified onto a glassy carbon electrode presented an excellent electrocatalytic response to the redox reaction of hydrogen peroxide as a sensing probe, from which the kinetic parameters including of a charge transfer rate constant, a diffusion coefficient value, an electroactive surface area, and a surface concentration were calculated to be 1.85 s⁻¹, 4.28×10⁻⁶ cm² s⁻¹, 0.14 cm² and 1.87×10⁻⁸ mol cm⁻², respectively. The developed immunosensors also exhibited a wide linear range of CEA concentration from 0.01 to 25 ng mL⁻¹ with high sensitivity (96.21 μA cm⁻² ng⁻¹ mL) and low detection limit (0.72 pg mL⁻¹), excellent selectivity without interfering effects from possible species (amoxicillin, ascorbic acid, aspirin, caffeine, cholesterol, dopamine, glucose, and uric acid), outstanding stability (n=100, %I>50 %), repeatability (%RSD=0.34, n=10), reproducibility (%RSD=4.06, n=10), and rapid analysis (25 s each operation time). This proposed method was successfully applied for CEA detection in whole blood samples with satisfactory results, suggesting that this developed sensing platform may be considered to be exploited for fabrication of other label-free electrochemical immunosensors for the real sample analysis.     

Label‐Free Electrochemical Thrombin Aptasensor Based on Ag Nanoparticles Modified Electrode

A novel label‐free electrochemical method for protein detection based on redox properties of silver was developed. As recognition elements, thrombin‐binding aptamers were used. Screen printed electrodes modified with silver nanoparticles (AgNP) were employed as a sensing platform for aptasensor devices. The oxidation of silver upon polarization served as a basis for analytical response. Three different thrombin binding aptamers with various surface concentrations were studied. Linear range of aptasensor response corresponded to the 10⁻⁹ M to 10⁻⁷ M thrombin concentration range and the detection limit was 10⁻⁹ M.     

Target‐stimulated DNAzyme Concatamers Released from Aptasensor for Highly Sensitive and Specific Detection of Progesterone

Aiming at the detection of ultralow concentration target progesterone (Pro), a novel electrochemical aptasensor based on DNAzyme concatamers signal amplification strategy was proposed. The strategy consists of target DNA strands (TDNAs), and two different hairpin DNA molecules (H1 and H2). The signal is amplified by the large amount of DNAzyme. The TDNAs modified on the electrode open H1 structures in sequence and propagate a reaction of hybridization events between two alternating hairpins (H1and H2) to obtain abundant DNAzyme concatamers. Upon target Pro introduction, a specific Pro‐TDNAs reaction was executed, thereby resulting in the release of DNAzyme concatamers from the electrode. Subsequent differential pulse voltammetry(DPV) detection of aminoazobenzene (DAP) resulting by DNAzyme catalyze the oxidation of o‐phenylenediamine (OPD) with the aid of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Likewise, a small amount of target Pro can efficiently induce the release of a large number of the DNAzyme from the electrode in the form of DNAzyme concatamer. Under optimal conditions, the the proposed assay presents good electrochemical responses for determination of target Pro in the range of 0.5 to 15 ng/mL with the detection limit of 0.36 ng/mL. In addition, the resulting sensor can successfully distinguish Pro from coexisting interfering substance and show good stability and high repeatability. What's more, the methodology has also been demonstrated by assaying Pro‐spiked samples in serum.     

赭曲霉毒素A的电化学适体传感检测

赭曲霉毒素A （OTA）是一类主要由曲霉属和青霉属等真菌产生的小分子有毒次级代谢产物,广泛存在于食品、农产品和动物饲料中,具有强烈肝毒性、肾毒性、致畸和致突变等作用,亦是ⅡB类致癌物。鉴于OTA污染的普遍性和危害性,本文就目前OTA的常用检测方法进行概述和比较,重点阐述新型电化学适体传感技术在OTA检测方面的相关应用。全面综述了构型变换型、亲合型以及混合型OTA电化学适体传感器的原理、优缺点及最新研究进展,并对OTA电化学适体传感器的未来发展方向提出展望,为电化学适体传感器的深入研究与应用提供参考。     

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.     

Sensitive Electrochemical Aptasensor for Thrombin Detection with Platinum Nanoparticles,Blocking Reagent‐Horseradish Peroxidase and Graphene Oxide as Enhancers

A highly sensitive thrombin electrochemical aptasensor with Pt nanoparticles, blocking reagent‐horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and inert graphene oxide (GO) as enhancers was successfully fabricated. Firstly, Pt nanoparticles with high surface to volume ratio could increase the amount of the immobilized redox probe hexacyanoferrate nanoparticles (NiHCFNPs) and effectively enhance the electron transfer. Secondly, HRP and Pt nanoparticles with high catalytic activity extremely amplify the electrochemical signal of NiHCFNPs toward H₂O₂. Lastly, inert graphene oxide (GO) labeled TBA could be used for enlarging the steric hindrance of thrombin. As a result, the aptasensor showed a high sensitivity with a detection limit of 500 fM.     

An Electrochemical Aptasensor for Detection of Thrombin based on Target Protein‐induced Strand Displacement

A sensitive electrochemical aptasensor for detection of thrombin based on target protein‐induced strand displacement is presented. For this proposed aptasensor, dsDNA which was prepared by the hybridization reaction of the immobilized probe ssDNA (IP) containing thiol group and thrombin aptamer base sequence was initially immobilized on the Au electrode by self‐assembling via Au? S bind, and a single DNA labeled with CdS nanoparticles (DP‐CdS) was used as a detection probe. When the so prepared dsDNA modified Au electrode was immersed into a solution containing target protein and DP‐CdS, the aptamer in the dsDNA preferred to form G‐quarter structure with the present target protein resulting that the dsDNA sequence released one single strand and returned to IP strand which consequently hybridized with DP‐CdS. After dissolving the captured CdS particles from the electrode, a mercury‐film electrode was used for electrochemical detection of these Cd²⁺ ions which offered sensitive electrochemical signal transduction. The peak current of Cd²⁺ ions had a good linear relationship with the thrombin concentration in the range of 2.3×10^?9–2.3×10^?12 mol/L and the detection limit was 4.3×10^?13 mol/L of thrombin. The detection was also specific for thrombin without being affected by the coexistence of other proteins, such as BSA and lysozyme.     

基于AuNPs/PANI/TNTs纳米复合材料的电化学检测妥布霉素的适配体传感器

本文提出了一种新型的检测妥布霉素的电化学适配体传感器,以差分脉冲伏安法（DPV）作为检测技术,亚甲基蓝作为电化学响应信号. 构建了以纳米复合材料金纳米粒子/聚苯胺/二氧化钛纳米管(AuNPs/PANI/TNTs)修饰玻碳电极的电极支架. 通过透射电子显微镜和X-射线光电子能谱对纳米复合材料进行详细的表征. 循环伏安图和电化学阻抗谱显示AuNPs/PANI/TNTs可以很好地增加电极的界面传导性能. DPV结果显示电流密度的响应和妥布霉素浓度之间存在一个很好的线性关系,并且得到一个宽广的检测范围为0.5 μmol·L^-1到70 μmol·L^-1. 本文提出的适配体基的传感器有很好的重复性和稳定性,作为一个潜在的手段可以应用在生物分析和医疗诊断中.     

Electrochemical Detection of Activated Protein C Using an Aptasensor Based on PAMAM Dendrimer Modified Pencil Graphite Electrodes

Electrochemical aptasensing of APC was carried out using PAMAM dendrimer modified pencil graphite electrodes (PGEs) for the first time herein. Poly(amidoamine) dendrimer having 16 succinamic acid surface groups (generation 2, G2‐PS) modified PGEs were developed, and then were utilized for APC monitoring using differential pulse voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The selectivity of single‐use aptasensor was tested against to other proteins; BSA and THR as well as to the affinity of APC binding to different DNA aptamer, or oligonucleotide. Voltammetric APC detection was also explored in a diluted fetal bovine serum resulting with a detection limit DL as 1.5 µg/mL.     

MXene–AuNP-Based Electrochemical Aptasensor for Ultra-Sensitive Detection of Chloramphenicol in Honey

A simple and label-free electrochemical aptasensor was developed for ultra-sensitive determination of chloramphenicol (CAP) based on a 2D transition of metal carbides (MXene) loaded with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The embedded AuNPs not only inhibit the aggregation of MXene sheets, but also improve the quantity of active sites and electronic conductivity. The aptamers (Apts) were able to immobilize on the MXene–AuNP modified electrode surface through Au–S interaction. Upon specifically binding with CAP with high affinity, the CAP–Apt complexes produced low conductivity on the aptasensor surface, leading to a decreased electrochemical signal. The resulting current change was quantitatively correlated with CAP concentration. Under optimized experimental conditions, the constructed aptasensor exhibited a good linear relationship within a wide range of 0.0001–10 nM and with a low detection limit of 0.03 pM for CAP. Moreover, the developed aptasensor has been applied to the determination of CAP concentration in honey samples with satisfactory results.     

基于金纳米颗粒负载的金属有机骨架材料的癌胚抗原传感器的研制

以负载Au的金属有机骨架材料(AuNPs/Cu-TPA)标记CEA抗体(Ab2)为信号探针,通过电还原的方法将氧化石墨烯还原到电极上,研制了一种捕获CEA抗体(Ab1)的电化学免疫传感器,并将其应用于癌胚抗原(CEA)检测.所合成的MOFs材料中含有大量Cu2+,且电化学信号比较稳定,因此可以通过检测MOFs材料中Cu2+的信号实现对CEA的检测.此信号探针不需要预处理和酸处理,易负载贵金属从而固定抗体,大大简化了检测步骤并缩短了检测时间.此传感器对CEA的检测灵敏度好,操作简便.在最优实验条件下,此传感器的线性范围为0.1～ 80 ng/mL,检出限为0.03 ng/mL,线性相关系数为0.9887,可用于真实样品中CEA的测定.     

Label‐free Electrochemical Bisphenol A Aptasensor Based on Designing and Fabrication of a Magnetic Gold Nanocomposite

The present study focuses on designing and fabricating an electrochemical aptasensor for the label free detection of bisphenol A (BPA) using gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) immobilized on functional cupper magnetic nanoparticles (CuFe₂O₄‐SH) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) modified with aptamer and 6‐mercapto‐1‐hexanol (MCH). A number of analysis techniques were used to characterize the nanocomposite, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometer, elemental mapping analysis and energy dispersive x‐ray diffraction. The results of the analyses revealed that the fabricated aptasensor had an acceptable linearity index (0.05‐9 nM) with an ultralow detection limit (25.2 pM) when used to determine BPA. Electrochemical experiments were conducted using a [Fe(CN)₆]³⁻/[Fe(CN)₆]⁴⁻ redox system. The results of the electrochemical tests indicated that the existence of Au NPs along with magnetic nanoparticles and MWCNTs in nanocomposite led to a synergistic augmentation on the surface of the modified electrode, thus facilitating the efficient sensing of BPA. This method is highly selective, sensitive and environmentally friendly. Moreover, proposed aptasensor has valuable potential applications in medical diagnostics and food industries where a fast and reliable detection of BPA is of paramount importance for the health of the public.     

A Novel Electrochemical Immunosensor for Prostate-Specific Antigen Based on Noncovalent Nanocomposite of Ferrocene Monocarboxylic Acid with Graphene Oxide

A novel electrochemical immunosensor was developed for the determination of prostate-specific antigen based on immobilization of appropriate antibodies on gold nanoparticles and a poly-(2,6-pyridinediamine) modified electrode. The nanocomposite of ferrocene monocarboxylic acid hybridized graphene oxide was prepared by a π-π stacking interaction and was used as the electrochemical probe. A sandwich-type complex immunoassay was applied with polyclonal prostate-specific antigen antibodies labeled with the nanocomposite of ferrocene monocarboxylic acid hybridized graphene oxide. In order to improve the sensitivity, a potentiostatic method was used to reduce graphene oxide. Cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry were employed to characterize the assembly process and the performance of the immunosensor. Under optimal conditions, the peak current of the immunosensor increased with concentration, showing a linear relationship between the peak current and the logarithm of the prostate-specific antigen concentrations in a wide range of 2.0 pg mL^?1 to 10.0 ng mL^?1 with a low detection limit of 0.5 pg mL^?1. The immunosensor was used for the determination of prostate-specific antigen in serum.     

Graphene-Gold Nanoparticle-modified Electrochemical Sensor for Detection of Kanamycin Based on Target-induced Aptamer Displacement

A highly sensitive and selective label-free electrochemical sensor was developed for the determination of kanamycin. To improve the sensitivity of the electrochemical sensor, graphene-gold nanoparticles were prepared by a one-step electrochemical coreduction process and were modified on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode. The double-stranded DNA(ds-DNA) duplex probe was immobilized onto the graphene-gold nanoparticle-modified electrode. The introduction of target kanamycin induced the displacement of aptamer from the ds-DNA duplex into the solution. Methylene blue(MB) as a redox indicator monitored the current change using differential pulse voltammetry. Under optimal conditions, the designed electrochemical aptasensor exhibited a wide linear range from 0.1 pmol/L to 10 pmol/L with a detection limit of 0.03 pmol/L for kanamycin. The experimental strategy enabled the direct analysis of milk samples, and the results showed high sensitivity and good selectivity.     

Electrochemical Aptasensor Based on Au Nanoparticles Decorated Porous Carbon Derived from Metal-Organic Frameworks for Ultrasensitive Detection of Chloramphenicol

A facile and sensitive electrochemical aptamer sensor (aptasensor) based on Au nanoparticles-decorated porous carbon (AuNPs/PC) composite was developed for the efficient determination of the antibiotic drug chloramphenicol (CAP). AuNPs modified metal-organic framework (AuNPs/ZIF-8) is applied as a precursor to synthesize the porous carbon with homogeneous AuNPs distribution through a direct carbonization step under nitrogen atmosphere. The as-synthesized AuNPs/PC exhibits high surface area and improved conductivity. Moreover, the loading AuNPs could enhance the attachment of the aptamers on the surface of electrode through the Au–S bond. When added to CAP, poorly conductive aptamer-CAP complexes are formed on the sensor surface, which increases the hindrance to electron transfer resulting in a decrease in electrochemical signal. Based on this mechanism, the developed CAP aptasensor represents a wide linear detection range of 0.1 pM to 100 nM with a low detection limit of 0.03 pM (S/N = 3). In addition, the proposed aptasensor was employed for the analysis of CAP in honey samples and provided satisfactory recovery.     

A Novel Electrochemical Method for the Sensitive Determination of Aflatoxin B1 Using a Bivalent Binding Aptamer-cDNA Structure

In this study, a simple electrochemical sensing platform with the employment of a bivalent binding aptamer-cDNA probe (BBA-cDNA) structure is constructed for the detection of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) as a mycotoxin. The BBA-cDNA structure is composed of two strands of aptamer (Apts) and their complementary strand (CS). Using a simple but accurate design, the presented measurement approach showed enhanced sensitivity and selectivity for AFB₁ detection with a LOD of 0.1 ng/mL. The approach presented in this study can be applied to the development of biosensors for the measurement of various toxins by substituting the proper aptamers and complementary strands.     

A Simple and Highly Sensitive Electrochemical Biosensor for microRNA Detection Using Target‐Assisted Isothermal Exponential Amplification Reaction

A simple and highly sensitive electrochemical biosensor for microRNA (miRNA) detection was successfully developed by integrating a target‐assisted isothermal exponential amplification reaction (EXPAR) with enzyme‐amplified electrochemical readout. The binding of target miRNA with the immobilized linear DNA template generated a part duplex and triggered primer extension reaction to form a double‐stranded DNA. Then one of the DNA strands was cleaved by nicking endonuclease and extended again. The short fragments with the same sequence as the target miRNA except for the replacement of uridines and ribonucleotides with thymines and deoxyribonucleotides could be displaced and released. Hybridization of these released DNA fragments with other amplification templates and their extension on the templates led to target exponential amplification. Integrating with enzyme‐amplified electrochemical readout, the electrochemical signal decreases with the increasing target microRNA concentration. The method could detect miRNA down to 98.9 fM with a linear range from 100 fM to 10 nM. The fabrication and binding processes were characterized with cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The specificity of the method allowed single‐nucleotide difference between miRNA family members to be discriminated. The established biosensor displayed excellent analytical performance toward miRNA detection and might present a powerful and convenient tool for biomedical research and clinic diagnostic application.