Disposable amperometric glucose sensor electrode with enzyme-immobilized nitrocellulose strip

Electrochemical properties of screen-printed carbon paste electrodes (CPEs) with a glucose oxidase-immobilized and hexamineruthenium (III) chloride ([Ru(NH₃)₆]³⁺) containing nitrocellulose (NC) strip were examined. The NC strip (2×8 mm) placed on the CPEs printed on polyester (PE) film is tightly sealed using another PE film on the top with open edges on both sides. Samples containing macromolecules and particles (e.g. proteins and blood cells) are applied at one edge of the NC strip and reach the detection area, chromatographically separating small molecules (e.g. glucose, ascorbate, acetaminophen, and uric acid) of analytical interests. Since sample volumes and the amount of catalytic reagents (mediator and glucose oxidase) are precisely predefined by the dimension and pore size (8 μm) of the NC strip, the sensor-to-sensor reproducibility and accuracy of analysis are greatly improved. The use of [Ru(NH₃)₆]³⁺ mediator, which exhibits characteristic substantially lowers the applied potential (0.0 V vs Ag/AgCl) for glucose determination and eliminates the interference from other oxidizable species, providing improved analytical results.     

Biosensors based on polymer networks formed by gamma irradiation crosslinking

Water-soluble polymers immobilized by gamma radiation have been investigated as a means of developing electrochemical sensors. Enzyme-based sensors for glucose and lactate have been made by immobilizing glucose oxidase and lactate oxidase, respectively, on platinized graphite electrodes. The enzyme is entrapped in a polymeric network of poly(vinyl alcohol) that is formed by gamma radiation crosslinking. Electrodes coated with poly (N-vinylpyrrolidone) and its corresponding monomer and then crosslinked with gamma radiation show an extraction of catecholamines into the polymer film that enhances the analytical signal for their detection by electrochemical oxidation. Poly(dimethyldiallylammonium chloride) spin-coated on a screen-printed electrochemical cell provides sufficient ionic conductivity for the cell to function as a gas sensor for oxygen, which is detected by reduction at a platinum working electrode.     

Analytical performance characteristics of thin and thick film amperometric microcells

The analytical performance of amperometric microcells with different electrode geometries is compared for enzyme activity measurements. The microcells were fabricated with thin film photolithography or thick film screen-printing in four different designs. The cells made with the thin film process used flexible substrate with microelectrode array or a circular, disk-shaped working electrode. The screen-printed working electrodes had semicircle or disk shape on ceramic chips. Putrescine oxidase (PUO) activity measurement was used as a model. The determination of PUO activity is important in the clinical diagnosis of premature rupture of the amniotic membrane. An electropolymerized m-phenylenediamine size-exclusion layer was used to eliminate common interferences. The size exclusion layer revealed also to be advantageous in protecting the electrodes from fouling by putrescine (enzyme substrate). The electrode fouling of bare electrodes was insignificant for screen-printed electrodes, but very severe for electroplated platinum working electrodes. The microelectrode array electrodes demonstrated smaller RSD and higher normalized sensitivities for hydrogen peroxide and PUO activity. All the other electrodes were demonstrating comparable analytical performances.     

Analytical performance characteristics of thin and thick film amperometric microcells

The analytical performance of amperometric microcells with different electrode geometries is compared for enzyme activity measurements. The microcells were fabricated with thin film photolithography or thick film screen-printing in four different designs. The cells made with the thin film process used flexible substrate with microelectrode array or a circular, disk-shaped working electrode. The screen-printed working electrodes had semicircle or disk shape on ceramic chips. Putrescine oxidase (PUO) activity measurement was used as a model. The determination of PUO activity is important in the clinical diagnosis of premature rupture of the amniotic membrane. An electropolymerized m-phenylenediamine size-exclusion layer was used to eliminate common interferences. The size exclusion layer revealed also to be advantageous in protecting the electrodes from fouling by putrescine (enzyme substrate). The electrode fouling of bare electrodes was insignificant for screen-printed electrodes, but very severe for electroplated platinum working electrodes. The microelectrode array electrodes demonstrated smaller RSD and higher normalized sensitivities for hydrogen peroxide and PUO activity. All the other electrodes were demonstrating comparable analytical performances.     

Resolving the copper interference effect on the stripping chronopotentiometric response of lead(II) obtained at bismuth film screen-printed electrode

As copper(II) is a common ion in a variety of analytical samples, its effect on the stripping response of lead(II) at bismuth film screen-printed carbon electrode (BFSPCE) was investigated. The study was conducted using a screen-printed three-electrode system (working, counter and reference electrodes), with the carbon-working electrode plated in situ with bismuth film. Copper present at significant concentration level in samples was found to affect the sensitivity of the electrode by reducing the constant current stripping chronopotentiometric (CCSCP) response of lead(II). Recovery of the lead stripping response at the BFSPCE in the presence of copper was obtained when 0.1 mM ferricyanide was added to the test solution. The ferricyanide added circumvents the detrimental effect of copper(II) by selectively masking the copper ions by forming a complex. The analytical utility of the procedure is illustrated by the stripping chronopotentiometric determinations of lead(II) in soil extracts.     

Use of screen-printed electrodes for quantification of cocaine and Δ​<Superscript>9</Superscript>-THC: adaptions to portable systems for forensic purposes

The worldwide attention for illicit drug consumption is known, mainly cocaine and marijuana, which were the most commonly apprehended drugs. In this study, we adapted conventional systems for voltammetric analysis for identifying these drugs using screen-printed electrode (SPE) devices in a portable potentiostat. For cocaine determination, a commercial platinum screen-printed electrode (Pt-SPE) with a cobalt hexacyanoferrate film (CoHCFe) presented the best results in comparison to other available models, and for Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁹-THC), no chemical modification was required on the carbon screen-printed electrodes (C-SPEs). The results allowed the use of the adapted systems with good analytical parameters: cocaine and Δ?⁹-THC determination presented a sensibility equal to 2.02 × 10^?2 and 2.65 × 10^?7 A L mol^?1 _, respectively. Finally, the developed procedures showed an application for electrochemical analysis in forensic context, besides the results obtained to comply with reliable results which forensic analysis must have.     

Screen-printed sensor for batch and flow injection potentiometric chromium(VI) monitoring

A disposable screen-printed electrode was designed and evaluated for direct detection of chromium(VI) in batch and flow analysis. The carbon screen-printed electrode was modified with a graphite–epoxy composite. The optimal graphite–epoxy matrix contains 37.5% graphite powder, 12.5% diphenylcarbohydrazide, a selective compound for chromium(VI), and 50% epoxy resin. The principal analytical parameters of the potentiometric response in batch and flow analysis were optimized and calculated. The screen-printed sensor exhibits a response time of 20 ± 1 s. In flow analysis, the analytical frequency of sampling is 70 injections per hour using 0.1 M NaNO₃ solution at pH 3 as the carrier, a flow rate of 2.5 mL·min⁻¹, and an injection sample volume of 0.50 mL. The sensor shows potentiometric responses that are very selective for chromium(VI) ions and optimal detection limits in both static mode (2.1 × 10⁻⁷ M) and online analysis (9.4 × 10⁻⁷ M). The disposable potentiometric sensor was employed to determine toxicity levels of chromium(VI) in mineral, tap, and river waters by flow-injection potentiometry and batch potentiometry. Chromium(VI) determination was also carried out with successful results in leachates from municipal solid waste landfills.     

A new fabrication process for a microchip electrophoresis device integrated with a three-electrode electrochemical detector

We report here a novel and simple process for the fabrication of a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-based microchip electrophoresis device, integrated with a screen-printed three-electrode electrochemical detector that does not require a replicate mold. In this approach, a photoresist layer constitutes both an adhesion layer and side walls of 50 mum wide and 50 mum tall microfluidic channels on a screen-printed three-electrode PMMA substrate. Openings were drilled for buffer reservoirs on an additional piece of PMMA, then the final device was bonded in a PMMA/photoresist/PMMA sandwich configuration. This process is inexpensive, less time-consuming, and simpler compared with traditional fabrication methods. The combination of this PMMA-based microchip fabrication together with screen-printed electrode technology holds great promise for the mass production of a single-use micrototal analytical system. Successful determination of uric acid and L-ascorbic acid with the presented system validates its utility. In combination with a suitable electrochemical detector, this device holds much promise for the determination of other analytes in various biological samples for medical and clinical diagnosis.     

Disposable electrochemical immunosensor by using carbon sphere/gold nanoparticle composites as labels for signal amplification

This work designed a simple, sensitive, and low-cost immunosensor for the detection of protein marker by using a carbon sphere/gold nanoparticle (CNS/AuNP) composite as an electrochemical label. The nanoscale carbon spheres, prepared with a hydrothermal method by using glucose as raw material, were used to load AuNPs for labeling antibody by electrostatic interaction, which provided a feasible pathway for electron transfer due to the remarkable conductivity. The disposable immunosensor was constructed by coating a polyethylene glycol (PEG) film on a screen-printed carbon-working electrode and then immobilizing capture antibody on the film. With a sandwich-type immunoassay format, the analyte and then the CNS/AuNP-labeled antibody were successively bound to the immunosensor. The bound AuNPs were finally electro-oxidized in 0.1 M HCl to produce AuCl(4)(-) for differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) detection. The high-loading capability of AuNPs on CNS for the sandwich-type immunorecognition led to obvious signal amplification. By using human immunoglobulin?G (IgG) as model target, the DPV signal of AuNPs after electro-oxidized at optimal potential of +1.40?V for 40?s showed a wide linear dependence on the logarithm of target concentration ranging from 10?pg mL(-1) to 10?ng mL(-1). The detection limit was around 9?pg mL(-1). The immunosensor showed excellent analytical performance with cost effectivity, good fabrication reproducibility, and acceptable precision and accuracy, providing significant potential application in clinical analysis.     

Microchip capillary electrophoresis with a boron-doped diamond electrochemical detector for analysis of aromatic amines

The attractive features of a boron-doped diamond (BDD) thin-film detector for microchip capillary electrophoretic (CE) separations of dye-related amino-substituted aromatic compounds are described. The diamond electrode was employed in the end-column amperometric detection of 4-aminophenol (4-AP), 1,2-phenylenediamine (1,2-PDA), 2-aminonaphthalene (2-AN), 2-chloroaniline (2-CA), and o-aminobenzoic acid (o-ABA), and its attractive behavior was compared to commonly used screen-printed carbon and glassy-carbon electrodes. These conventional electrode materials exhibit a significant degree of passivation and low sensitivity to the above-mentioned environmental pollutants. The diamond-based electrochemical detection system displayed a favorable analytical performance, including lower noise levels, higher peak resolution with enhanced sensitivity, and improved resistance against electrode passivation. Factors influencing the on-chip analysis were assessed and optimized. The diamond detector displayed detection limits of 2.0 and 1.3 microM for 4-AP and 2-AN, respectively, and a wide linear response for these compounds over the 2-50 microM range. The enhanced stability was demonstrated by relative standard deviation (RSD) values of 1.4% and 4.7% for 100 microM 1,2-PDA and 200 microM 2-CA, respectively, for repetitive detections (n = 7). Besides, the simultaneously observed current decrease was 2.4 and 9.1% for 1,2-PDA and 2-CA, respectively (compared to 21.8 and 41.0% at the screen-printed carbon electrode and 28.3 and 34.1% at the glassy carbon electrode, respectively). The favorable properties of the diamond electrode indicate great promise for environmental applications in CE and other microchip devices.     

Ferrocene-functionalized graphene electrode for biosensing applications

A novel ferrocene-functionalized reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-based electrode is proposed. It was fabricated by the drop casting of ferrocene-functionalized graphene onto polyester substrate as the working electrode integrated within screen-printed reference and counter electrodes. The ferrocene-functionalized rGO has been fully characterized using FTIR, XPS, contact angle measurements, SEM and TEM microscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. The XPS and EDX analysis showed the presence of Fe element related to the introduced ferrocene groups, which is confirmed by a clear CV signal at ca. 0.25 V vs. Ag/AgCl (0.1 KCl). Mediated redox catalysis of H₂O₂ and bio-functionalization with glucose oxidase for glucose detection were achieved by the bioelectrode providing a proof for potential biosensing applications.     

Amperometric determination of bonded glucose with an MnO(2) and glucose oxidase bulk-modified screen-printed electrode using flow-injection analysis

A screen-printed amperometric biosensor based on carbon ink double bulk-modified with MnO₂ as a mediator and glucose oxidase as a biocomponent was investigated for its ability to serve as a detector for bonded glucose in different compounds, such as cellobiose, saccharose, (-)-4-nitrophenyl-β-d-glucopyranoside, as well as in beer samples by flow-injection analysis (FIA). The biosensor could be operated under physiological conditions (0.1 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.5) and exhibited good reproducibility and stability. Bonded glucose was released with glucosidase in solution, and the free glucose was detected with the modified screen-printed electrode (SPE). The release of glucose by the aid of glucosidase from cellobiose, saccharose and (-)-4-nitrophenyl-β-d-glucopyranoside in solution showed that stoichiometric quantities of free glucose could be monitored in all three cases.The linear range of the amperometric response of the biosensor in the FIA-mode flow rate 0.2 mL min⁻¹, injection volume 0.25 mL, operation potential 0.48 V versus Ag/AgCl) extends from 11 to 13,900 μmol L⁻¹ glucose in free form. The limit of detection (3σ) is 1 μmol L⁻¹ glucose. A concentration of 100 μmol L⁻¹ yields a relative standard deviation of approximately 7% with five injections. These values correspond to the same concentrations of bonded glucose supposed that it is liberated quantitatively (incubation for 2 h with glucosidase).Bonded glucose could be determined in beer samples using the same assay. The results corresponded very well with the reference procedure.     

Amperometric screen-printed biosensor arrays with co-immobilised oxidoreductases and cholinesterases

Amperometric screen-printed biosensor arrays for detection of pesticides (organophosphates and carbamates) and phenols have been developed. Cholinesterases (AChE and BChE), tyrosinase (TYR), peroxidases (SBP, soybean and HRP, horseradish) and cellobiose dehydrogenase (CDH) were combined on the same array consisting of one Ag/AgCl reference electrode surrounded by eight radially distributed working electrodes of either carbon or platinum. Mainly cross-linking with glutaraldehyde was employed for enzyme immobilisation. The substrates for the enzymes were acetylthiocholine for cholinesterases (ChEs), cellobiose for CDH and hydrogen peroxide for peroxidases. Hydrogen peroxide was generated in the presence of glucose by co-immobilised glucose oxidase (GOx). All measurements were performed in an electrochemical steady state system specially constructed for eight channel screen-printed electrode arrays. The achieved relative standard deviation values calculated for different enzyme substrates (10 measurements) were typically below 7% and one assay was completed within less than 10 min. The detection limits for pesticides and phenols were in the nanomolar and micromolar ranges, respectively. The developed biosensor array was evaluated on wastewater samples. To simplify interpretation of results, the measured data were treated with multivariate analysis-principal component analysis (PCA).     

Paper-based electrochemiluminescent 3D immunodevice for lab-on-paper, specific, and sensitive point-of-care testing

Recent research on microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) has shown that paper has great potential for the fabrication of low-cost diagnostic devices for healthcare and environmental monitoring applications. Herein, electrochemiluminescence (ECL) was introduced for the first time into μPADs that were based on screen-printed paper-electrodes. To further perform high-specificity, high-performance, and high-sensitivity ECL on μPADs for point-of-care testing (POCT), ECL immunoassay capabilities were introduced into a wax-patterned 3D paper-based ECL device, which was characterized by SEM, contact-angle measurement, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. With the aid of a home-made device-holder, the ECL reaction was triggered at room temperature. By using a typical tris(bipyridine)ruthenium-tri-n-propylamine ECL system, this paper-based ECL 3D immunodevice was applied to the diagnosis of carcinoembryonic antigens in real clinical serum samples. This contribution further expands the number of sensitive and specific detection modes of μPADs.     

Disposable electrochemiluminescent biosensor using bidentate-chelated CdTe quantum dots as emitters for sensitive detection of glucose

A novel disposable solid-state electrochemiluminescent (ECL) biosensor was fabricated by immobilizing glucose oxidase and surface-unpassivated CdTe quantum dots (QDs) on a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE). The surface morphology of the biosensor was characterized with scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. With dissolved O(2) as an endogenous coreactant, QDs/SPCE showed strong ECL emission in pH 9.0 HCl-Tris buffer solution with low ECL peak potential at -0.89 V. The ECL intensity was twice that with hydrogen peroxide as coreactant at the same concentration. This phenomenon meant the ECL decreased upon consumption of dissolved O(2) and thus could be applied to the construction of oxidase-based ECL biosensors. With glucose oxidase as a model enzyme, the biosensor showed rapid response to glucose with a linear range of 0.8 to 100 μM and a detection limit of 0.3 μM. Further detection of glucose contained in human serum samples showed acceptable sensitivity and selectivity. This work provided a promising application of QDs in ECL-based disposable biosensors.     

Screen-printed enzymatic glucose biosensor based on a composite made from multiwalled carbon nanotubes and palladium containing particles

A composite material consisting of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and palladium containing particles was synthesized and applied to the preparation of bulk-modified screen-printed carbon electrodes (Pd-MWCNT-SPCE) and surface-modified screen-printed carbon electrodes (Pd-MWCNT/SPCE). They were characterized by cyclic voltammetry and hydrodynamic chronoamperometry in solution of pH 7.5. Both electrodes were then modified with glucose oxidase (GOx) by drop-coating a solution of GOx and Nafion® on their surface. Glucose can be determined via enzymatically formed H₂O₂. In an alternative approach, gold nanoparticles (5 nm) were incorporated into the biolayer of the electrodes. The resulting electrodes of type GOx/Pd-MWCNT-SPCE and GOx-Au/Pd-MWCNT-SPCE showed acceptable analytical performance at working potentials between ?0.20 V and ?0.50 V in case of hydrodynamic chronoamperometry. Both electrodes can be operated best at a working potential of ?0.40 V vs SCE, with acceptable linearity of the methods in sub mM concentration ranges and with LOQs of 0.14 mM and 0.07 mM for glucose for the GOx/Pd-MWCNT-SPCE and GOx-Au/Pd-MWCNT-SPCE, respectively. Incorporation of gold nanoparticles prolongs the operational lifetime of the electrodes by two weeks. The GOx/Pd-MWCNT-SPCE based method was applied to the determination of glucose in multifloral honey, and the GOx-Au/Pd-MWCNT-SPCE method to the determination of glucose in blood serum. In both cases there was a good agreement with the results obtained by commercially available equipment for determination of glucose.

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Graphical abstract Schematic of a screen printed carbon biosensor based on the use of multiwalled carbon nanotubes modified with palladium-containing particles and glucose oxidase. It can be applied to the amperometric determination of glucose in blood serum and multifloral honey

     

Silver nanoparticles and magnetic beads with electrochemical measurement as a platform for immunosensing devices

The simplicity and analytical utility of silver nanoparticles used as immunolabels with screen-printed measurement electrodes is illustrated by demonstrating an appropriate analytical signal for myoglobin (a protein marker for muscle damage) across a range of concentrations of physiological interest for distinguishing potential myocardial infarctions from normal background levels in serum. Silver nanoparticles were used as labels on one of a pair of anti-myoglobin clones while the other clone was covalently attached to magnetic beads. The two clones were selected so as to bind to different sites on the target protein and allow the formation of complexes containing both magnetic beads and silver nanoparticles. The magnetic beads enabled protein captured from test samples to be separated from other components, while the silver nanoparticles enabled the protein to be quantified. An oxidising potential, applied to screen-printed carbon electrodes, was used to dissolve silver without the need for an external oxidising agent. Silver ions released in the process were subsequently accumulated at the measurement electrodes by applying a suitable reducing potential and, finally, analytical signals were obtained by integrating the charges passed when accumulated silver was stripped from the electrodes by applying a potential ramp. The magnitudes of the measured charges were indicative of the concentrations of myoglobin in each of the test solutions.     

Screen-printed enzyme electrodes for the detection of marker analytes during winemaking

Biosensors for malic acid and glucose have been developed, using screen-printed electrodes and two different classes of enzymes: NAD(P)⁺-dependent dehydrogenases and oxidases. The active surface of the electrodes was modified using Meldola Blue (malic acid) and Prussian Blue (glucose) and in this way sensitive, low cost and reliable NAD(P)H and H₂O₂ probes were obtained. Fixed potential amperometry was used for the detection of substrates in small volumes of sample (50 μl). Immobilization of the enzymes in a polyethylenimine-glutaraldehyde cross-linking membrane allowed sensors to be obtained with sufficient operational stability. The detection limits were of 10⁻⁵ M for malic acid and 10⁻⁶ M for glucose. The sensors were applied in the analysis of different samples of wine.     

An electrochemically preanodized screen-printed carbon electrode for achieving direct electron transfer to glucose oxidase

Here we report the unique property of a preanodized screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE1) that can allow direct electron transfer (DET) reaction of glucose oxidase (GOx). The GOx can be immobilized in the composite of oxygen functionalities and edge plane sites generated during preanodization without additional cross-linking agents. The electron transfer rate of GOx is greatly enhanced to 4.38 s⁻¹ as a result of the conformational change of GOx in the microenvironment enabling the accessibility of active site for GOx to the electrode. The analytical versatility is further improved with the aid of Nafion film. As a consequence, the as-prepared electrode can be used as a glucose biosensor and the number of potential foreign species is then restricted by molecular size, permeation and/or (bio)chemical reaction. Most importantly, the disposable nature of the proposed electrode is expected to promote the DET-related researches.     

Carbon nanotube disposable detectors in microchip capillary electrophoresis for water-soluble vitamin determination: analytical possibilities in pharmaceutical quality control

In this work, the synergy of one mature example from "lab-on-chip" domain, such as CE microchips with emerging miniaturized carbon nanotube detectors in analytical science, is presented. Two different carbon electrodes (glassy carbon electrode (GCE) 3 mm diameter, and screen-printed electrode (SPE) 0.3 mm x 2.5 mm) were modified with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and their electrochemical behavior was evaluated as detectors in CE microchip using water-soluble vitamins (pyridoxine, ascorbic acid, and folic acid) in pharmaceutical preparations as representative examples. The SPE modified with MWCNT was the best electrode for the vitamin analysis in terms of analytical performance. In addition, accurate determination of the three vitamins in four different pharmaceuticals was obtained (systematic error less than 9%) in only 400 s using a protocol that combined the sample analysis and the methodological calibration.