Label‐free Electrochemical Immunosensor for Cardiac Troponin T Based on Exfoliated Graphite Nanoplatelets Decorated with Gold Nanoparticles

This paper describes the application of exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets (xGnP) decorated with gold nanoparticles (AuNP) for the development of a label‐free electrochemical immunosensor for the determination of human cardiac troponin T (TnT), an important cardiac biomarker in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Heparin‐stabilized AuNP (AuNP‐Hep) were synthesized, characterized and supported on xGnP. The material obtained (AuNP‐Hep‐xGnP) was used as a platform to immobilize the anti‐TnT by adsorption and this was then applied in the construction of an immunosensor. Under optimized conditions, using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and an incubation time of 20 min, the proposed immunosensor showed linearity in the range of 0.050 to 0.35 ng mL⁻¹ TnT, with a calculated limit of detection of 0.016 ng mL⁻¹. The interday precision (n=7) showed a coefficient of variation of 6.5 %. Some potential interferents commonly present in blood plasma samples were investigated and the degree of interference was found to be low (less than 10 %), demonstrating adequate selectivity for analytical applications. The biosensor was successfully applied in the determination of TnT in fortified samples of human blood plasma.     

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.     

基于聚硫堇/亚甲基蓝和纳米金放大的免疫传感器检测贝类毒素大田软海绵酸

采用聚硫堇(PTH)修饰电极为传感界面提供一个生物修饰功能基质膜,借助纳米金(GNPs)的导电性、生物相容性与高比表面积特性实现抗体的有效固定,并以亚甲基蓝(MB)为电子媒介加速电极表面电化学反应的电子传递,构建了一种高灵敏的非标记电化学免疫传感器,用于贝类毒素大田软海绵酸(OA)的检测。当分子结构中含有羧基和酚基的OA与其抗体特异性结合后,生成以阴离子形式存在的抗原-抗体复合物,阻碍了传感器表面电子的传递,导致峰电流下降。利用免疫反应前后峰电流的变化,可对OA进行特异性识别和准确定量。在优化实验条件下,OA浓度的对数在0.2~100 μg/L范围内与其峰电流的变化值(ΔI)呈线性相关,线性方程为ΔI=1.721 7+1.083 6lgρ,相关系数为0.992 0,检出限为0.1 μg/L。该免疫传感器重现性好、特异性强,用于实际贝类样品的测定,回收率为85.3%~112%。     

基于酶标抗体和媒介体共吸附于金胶壳聚糖膜的PSA免疫传感器的制备

本文研制了一种用金胶壳聚糖仿生膜来同时固定四甲基联苯胺（TMB）和酶标抗体的新型电化学免疫传感器,用于检测血清肿瘤标志物前列腺特异性抗原（PSA）的含量。固定的TMB作为电子传递媒介体,在扫速小于45 mV/s时,电极表现为一个表面控制过程,而在扫速大于45 mV/s时则表现为一个扩散控制过程。将固定有酶标抗体和TMB的免疫传感器与待测PSA抗原一起培育,在该传感器上形成的免疫复合物通过TMB-H₂O₂-HRP电化学体系进行了测定。在优化实验条件下,PSA的线性检测范围为5-30 ng·mL^-1,检测限为1.0 ng·mL^-1。该PSA免疫传感器制备方法简单,成本低廉,具有较好的稳定性和重现性。     

Modification of Gold Electrode via Electrografting of the in situ Generated 3‐Carboxy‐1,2,4‐triazoldiazonium Salt for Label‐free Determination of Carcinoembryonic Antigen

In present study electrografting of the in situ generated 3‐carboxy‐1,2,4‐triazoldiazonium chloride on the Au disk electrode have been studied. The electrode film thickness differences between electrodeposited due to the aryl radical structure 3‐carboxy‐1,2,4‐triazoldiazonium chloride and 4‐carboxyphenyldiazonium salt was shown. The mechanism of 3‐carboxy‐1,2,4‐triazoldiazonium chloride electrografting has been proposed. 4‐nitroanilin was used to investigate the carbodiimide crosslinking capacity. It was established that electrodeposited films are suitable for carbodiimide crosslinking but the reaction proceed only on the “external” electrografted layer. Under the chosen optimal parameters, the label‐free electrochemical immunosensor have been developed. 3‐carboxy‐1,2,4‐triazoldiazonium chloride electrografting provided improvement of analytical characteristics in respect to electrodeposited 4‐carboxyphenyldiazonium salt. The linear range for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) detection is 10–10⁴ ng ? ml^?1, the limit of detection estimated as 0.2 ng ? ml^?1. The developed immunosensor is stable during 30 day′s storage and selective against excess of bovine serum albumin as an interfering reagent.     

Direct Electrochemical Nano‐immunosensor for Microcystin‐LR in Seawater

Microcystins are potent hepatotoxins produced by cyanobacteria, which proliferate in wastewaters with high nutrient content. Due to their high toxicity and potential risk to human health, even at low concentrations, the development of a sensitive and rapid method for the monitoring of microcystin‐LR (MC‐LR) in water samples is of great importance. In this context, a new direct electrochemical nano‐immunosensor for MC‐LR detection using the liquid crystal (E)‐1‐decyl‐4‐[(4‐decyloxyphenyl)diazenyl]pyridinium bromide (Br‐Py) as a redox probe and gold nanoparticles stabilized in bovine serum albumin (AuNP‐BSA) is described herein. The microcystin‐LR antibody (anti‐MC‐LR) was covalently immobilized using N‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl)‐N‐ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) and N‐hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) on an AuNP‐BSA/BrPy film. The proposed sensor response is based on the inhibition of the Br‐Py electrochemical signal after the specific interaction of MC‐LR with immobilized anti‐MC‐LR on the electrode surface. The electrochemical behavior of the immunosensor was studied by square‐wave voltammetry (SWV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Under optimized conditions, using SWV and an incubation time of 15 min, the immunosensor exhibits a linear response to MC‐LR concentrations of 0.05 to 500.0 ng mL⁻¹ with a detection limit of 0.05 ng mL⁻¹. The anti‐MC‐LR/AuNP‐BSA/Br‐Py/GCE was successfully applied in the determination of MC‐LR in spiked seawater samples.     

基于纳米金与碳纳米管-纳米铂-壳聚糖纳米复合物固定癌胚抗原免疫传感器的研究

采用纳米金(nano-Au)、多壁碳纳米管-纳米铂-壳聚糖的纳米复合物(MWNT-Pt-CS)及电子媒介体硫堇(Th)固载抗体制得高灵敏癌胚抗原免疫传感器．首先, 于壳聚糖溶液中用NaBH4还原H2PtCl6, 并将多壁碳纳米管分散于其中制得碳纳米管-纳米铂-壳聚糖纳米复合物, 并将其滴涂在玻碳电极上成膜; 然后, 吸附电子媒介体硫堇制得硫堇/碳纳米管-纳米铂-壳聚糖(Th/MWNT-Pt-CS)修饰电极．利用壳聚糖和硫堇分子中大量的氨基固定纳米金并吸附癌胚抗体(anti-CEA); 最后, 用辣根过氧化物酶(HRP)封闭活性位点从而制得高灵敏电流型免疫传感器．在优化的实验条件下, 该传感器响应的峰电流值与癌胚抗原(carcinoembryonic antigen)浓度在0.5～10和10～120 ng/mL的范围内保持良好的线性关系, 检测限为0.2 ng/mL．     

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.     

A Label‐Free Amperometric Immunosensor Based on Redox‐Active Ferrocene‐Branched Chitosan/Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Conductive Composite and Gold Nanoparticles

A novel immunosensor has been developed by self‐assembling Au NPs onto a ferrocene‐branched chitosan/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CS‐Fc/MWCNTs) modified electrode for the sensitive determination of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). The formation of CS‐Fc effectively avoids the leakage of Fc and retains its electrochemical activity. Incorporation of MWCNTs and Au NPs into CS‐Fc further increases the electrochemical active Fc in the CS films and provides interactive sites for the immobilization of HBsAb. The morphologies and electrochemistry of the formed biofilm were investigated by using scanning electron microscopy and electrochemical techniques. The immunosensor exhibits a specific response to HBsAg in the range of 1.0–420 ng mL^?1. Excellent analytical performance, fabrication reproducibility and operational stability of the proposed immunosensor indicated its promising application in clinical diagnostics.     

基于聚2,6-二氨基吡啶膜及纳米金修饰的癌胚抗原免疫传感器研究

在玻碳电极表面电聚合2,6-二氨基吡啶(pPA), 利用硫堇(Thi)、纳米金(nano-Au)固载癌胚抗体, 制得稳定性好、灵敏度较高、线性范围宽的电流型免疫传感器. 通过循环伏安法考察了该免疫传感器的电化学特性, 在优化的实验条件下, 该免疫传感器的峰电流随着检测溶液中癌胚抗原(CEA)浓度的增大而减小, 并在0.5～20和20～160 ng/mL CEA范围内呈现出良好的线性关系, 检测下限为0.2 ng/mL. 该免疫传感器具有制作简单、重现性好、线性范围宽等优点, 可用于临床上对CEA的检测.     

Amperometric Immunosensor for Prostate Specific Antigen Based on Gold Nanoparticles/Ionic Liquid/Chitosan Hybrid Film

The hybrid film of gold nanoparticles/ionic liquid-chitosan (GNP/IL-Ch) was first prepared by a simple one-step synthesis and used as an efficient immobilization matrix to fabricate an immunosensor. The GNP/IL-Ch film not only prevents the leakage of the IL units, but also produces a well-defined voltammetric signal due to the synergistic effects of the IL units and GNPs. By immobilizing an alkaline phosphatase (ALP)-labeled antibody in GNP/IL-Ch film, a sensitive amperometric immunosensor has been developed for prostate specific antigen (PSA). Under the optimized conditions, the immunosensor exhibits a linear range from 1.0 to 80 ng mL^?1 of PSA.     

新型有机-无机氧化还原复合膜层层组装的无试剂高灵敏电流型 前列腺特异性抗原免疫传感器研究

以前列腺特异性抗原(PSA)和前列腺特异性抗体(anti-PSA)为生物模型分子, 采用电沉积技术和共价键合作用, 研制了新型高灵敏电流型免疫传感器. 利用具有良好导电性和热稳定性的新型有机材料[苝四甲酸二酐(PTCDA)衍生物, 简写为PTC-NH2]膜具有的多孔结构, 该膜可与电沉积制得的冰晶状普鲁士蓝(PB)颗粒进行层层组装镶嵌, 形成多层稳定的有机-无机氧化还原复合膜以增加 PB 的固定量和稳定性, 从而提高电极的电流响应信号; 同时, 通过复合膜表面丰富的氨基吸附大量纳米金以增加抗体的固定量, 从而提高免疫传感器的灵敏度. 利用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)和X射线光电子能谱仪(XPS)对PTC-NH2膜的形貌和结构进行表征, 通过循环伏安法考察了电极修饰过程的电化学特性, 详细研究了该免疫传感器的性能. 该免疫电极对前列腺特异性抗原检测的线性范围为0.5～16.0 ng/mL, 相关系数为0.985, 检测限为0.02 ng/mL. 实验结果表明, 利用该方法制备的免疫传感器具有灵敏度高、稳定性和选择性好等优点.     

基于普鲁士蓝-碳纳米管-纳米金复合材料的电化学免疫传感器的构建

构建一个基于普鲁士蓝–碳纳米管–纳米金复合物(PB–CNTs–CNPs)增效的新型免疫传感器检测大肠杆菌。普鲁士蓝–碳纳米管–纳米金复合物能够增强电子的传递效率和电极的稳定性。当大肠杆菌抗存在时,辣根过氧化氢酶(HRP)标记的大肠杆菌抗体也通过特异性作用结合到PB–CNTs–CNPs修饰的金电极表面,形成一个夹心型结构。通过大肠杆菌抗体上标记的HRP酶催化底夜中双氧水的还原对大肠杆菌进行定量。该传感器具有很好的特异性、重现性和稳定性。在最优条件下,大肠杆菌浓度在10~1×107 cfu/mL的范围内与该传感器的电流响应I存在I=33.68 lg C_(E.coli)+7.19的线性关系,检出限为9.2 cfu/mL(S/N=3)。将该传感器应用于实际样品中大肠杆菌的检测,样品加标回收率为91.3%~103.0%,与平板计数法的实验结果相比较,结果具有高度一致性。     

Rapid,Label‐free Optical Spectroscopy Platform for Diagnosis of Heparin‐Induced Thrombocytopenia

The use of surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to determine spectral markers for the diagnosis of heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), a difficult‐to‐diagnose immune‐related complication that often leads to limb ischemia and thromboembolism, is proposed. The ability to produce distinct molecular signatures without the addition of labels enables unbiased inquiry and makes SERS an attractive complementary diagnostic tool. A capillary‐tube‐derived SERS platform offers ultrasensitive, label‐free measurement as well as efficient handling of blood serum samples. This shows excellent reproducibility, long‐term stability and provides an alternative diagnostic rubric for the determination of HIT by leveraging machine‐learning‐based classification of the spectroscopic data. We envision that a portable Raman instrument could be combined with the capillary‐tube‐based SERS analytical tool for diagnosis of HIT in the clinical laboratory, without perturbing the existing diagnostic workflow.     

Label‐free Electrochemical Sensor for Ex‐vivo Monitoring of Alzheimer's Disease Biomarker

The beta‐amyloid (Aβ) peptide was used as an important biomarker for Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis. The development of an accurate, selective, rapid, and highly sensitive technique for detecting of Aβ level is an important issue in biology, and medicine to assess human health risks. Here, gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) with different size were electrochemically deposited onto the indium tin oxide (ITO) substrate in the presence of different molecular weights of surfactants. The modified substrates were used as a high sensitive electrochemical sensor of in‐vitro as well as ex‐vivo monitoring of Aβ based on cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry techniques. Our findings revealed that the modification of ITO electrode with Au NPs could enhance its sensor performance with high sensitivity for low concentration levels of Aβ over a wide linear range with a detection limit of about 20.7 ng/g, which is less than the concentration of insoluble Aβ40 (105.4±40.2 μg/g) in brain of AD induced. In addition, Au NPs/ITO modified electrodes have demonstrated ability to monitor Aβ in the brain extracted samples without any potential interference with other components. Raman spectroscopy has been used to confirm the presence of Aβ in the AD‐induced samples. Thus, it is applicable for analyzing ex‐vivo samples.     

Voltammetric Label‐free Immunosensors for the Diagnosis of Cystic Echinococcosis

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) or hydatid disease is a parasitic infection caused by Echinococcus granulosus. Early serodiagnosis and continuous monitoring of the disease is very important for medical treatment. Here, we report the detecting of both echinococcus antigen and antibody for the diagnosis of hydatid disease using square wave voltammetry (SWV)‐based immunosensors. The gold electrodes were functionalized using cysteamine/phenylene diisothiocyanate linkers and used for the immunosensors fabrication. The hydatid antigen and antibody immunosensors were constructed by the immobilization of either purified rabbit polyclonal antibody or recombinant antigen B (AgB), respectively on the functionalized gold electrodes surfaces. The detection in both cases was achieved by following the change in the SWV reduction peak current of the ferro/ferricyanide redox couple upon antibody or antigen binding. These immunosensors enabled the detection of echinococcus antigen and antibody within a concentration range of 1 pg.mL^?1 to 1 μg.mL^?1 with detection limits of 0.4 pg.mL^?1 and 0.3 pg.mL^?1, respectively. A preliminary application of the developed immunosensor was performed in spiked serum sample showing good recovery percentages ranging from 102 to 110 % for both hydatid antibody and antigen detection. This easy‐to‐use, sensitive, and low cost quantitative method holds great promise for the early diagnosis of hydatid disease and thus, better managements and treatment outcomes.     

A Dendrimer Supported Electrochemical Immunosensor for the Detection of Alpha‐feto protein – a Cancer Biomarker

The electrochemical detection of alpha‐feto protein based on novel gold nanoparticles‐ poly(propylene imine) dendrimer platform is reported. The platform was prepared by co‐electrodeposition of gold nanoparticles and generation 3 poly (propylene imine) dendrimer on a glassy carbon electrode. Each modifying step was characterised by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The electrochemical measurements showed that the platform was stable, conducting and exhibited reversible electrochemistry. Results obtained from the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy interrogation in [Fe(CN)₆^3−/4−] redox probe showed a marked reduction in charge transfer resistance (R_ct) after each modification step. The immunosensor was prepared by immobilisation of a probe anti‐alpha feto protein (AFP) on the platform for 3 hrs at 35 °C followed by blocking the surface with bovine serum albumin to minimise non‐specific binding. The prepared immunosensor was used to detect AFP over a wide concentration range from 0.005 to 500 ng/mL and detection limits of 0.0022 and 0.00185 ng/mL were obtained for SWV and EIS measurements respectively. The immunosensor gave good stability over a period of fourteen days when stored at 4 °C.     

A Prostate Specific Antigen Immunosensor Based on Biotinylated‐Antibody/Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complex: Fabrication and Electrochemical Studies

Immobilization of biomolecules with a proper orientation is considered as a basis for diverse biotechnological applications. Herein, we report a host‐guest inclusion complexation between β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) and biotin as a versatile approach for the immobilization of biomolecules. As a practical application, a sandwich‐type electrochemical immunosensor was designed for the determination of prostate specific antigen (PSA). The immunosensor was fabricated by in situ electropolymerization of poly(N‐acetylaniline) onto a rGO‐modified Pt electrode. Then, β‐CD was covalently grafted onto the over‐oxidized polymer backbone. For improving the efficiency of the assay, AuNPs were casted on the polymeric film, on the surface of which thionine (TH) as an electron mediator was covalently immobilized. Using a host‐guest inclusion complexation between β‐CD and biotin, a β‐CD/biotin‐Ab₁/PSA/Ab₂‐horseradish peroxidase (HRP) sandwich was formed on the electrode surface. The analytical signal was produced via electrochemical reduction of TH_ox, generated by biocatalytic oxidation of the TH_red in the presence of HRP/H₂O₂. Under optimal conditions, the proposed sensor responded linearly to PSA in the range from 10.0 pg mL⁻¹ to 25.0 ng mL⁻¹, with a low detection limit of 6.7 pg mL⁻¹ (S/N=3). Kinetic parameters of the interaction of β‐CD with Ab₁ were also investigated. Finally, the applicability of the immunosensor was successfully investigated for the detection of PSA in human serum samples.     

基于金纳米颗粒生长的液晶生物传感器检测酪氨酸

基于酶介导金纳米颗粒(AuNPs)生长构建了液晶生物传感器, 并用于检测酪氨酸(Tyr). 将酪氨酸酶(TR)固定于经戊二醛活化的二甲基十八烷基(3-[三甲氧基硅烷] 丙基)氯化铵/3-氨丙基三乙氧基硅烷(DMOAP/APTES)混合自组装修饰的玻片表面, 当向玻片表面滴加含Tyr的生长溶液时, TR催化Tyr羟基化为左旋多巴(L-Dopa), L-Dopa还原生长溶液中的AuCl₄^-生成AuNPs并沉积于玻片表面, 导致玻片表面地貌发生变化, 这一变化能诱导液晶取向发生变化进而调控透光量, 从而实现对Tyr的检测, 且检测浓度可低至6×10^-7 mol/L.     

Electric‐Field‐Induced Viscosity Change of a Nematic Liquid Crystal with Gold Nanoparticles

The electro‐rheological (ER) effect of a composite material consisting of a nematic liquid crystal (LC) and gold nanoparticles covered with mesogenic groups is discussed. The gold nanoparticles are covered by alkyl chains and liquid‐crystalline compounds. The influences of the alkyl‐chain length and the coverage by the alkyl chain and the mesogenic group on the miscibility of the nanoparticles with the LC are investigated by polarizing optical microscopy (POM). The presence of the gold nanoparticles in the nematic LC (5CB) leads to an enhanced ER response compared to that observed for 5CB. The prominent ER effect observed in this study is supported by the two mechanisms proposed, that is, the homogeneous and heterogeneous mechanisms. This study demonstrates the potential of a hybrid system consisting of an LC and gold nanoparticles to improve the ER effect.