Development of a novel label-free amperometric immunosensor for the detection of okadaic acid

Okadaic acid (OA), a lipophilic phycotoxin is mainly produced by toxigenic dinoflagellates. The need to develop high performing methods for OA analysis able to improve the traditional ones is evident. In this work, a novel experimental methodology for label-free detection of OA was developed. Protein G magnetic beads (protein-G-MBs) modified gold electrode was used to immobilize anti-OA monoclonal antibody (anti-OA-MAb). Preliminary, colorimetric tests were performed in order to validate protein-G-MBs and anti-OA-MAb reaction. Electrochemical detection was carried out by differential pulse voltammetry in ferri/ferrocyanide solution. The limit of detection value obtained (0.5 μg L⁻¹) validated the developed electrochemical immunosensor as a promising tool for routine use. The matrix effect and the recovery rate were also assessed with real samples, showing a good percentage of recovery.     

Monoclonal antibody based electrochemical immunosensor for the determination of ochratoxin A in wheat

Competitive electrochemical enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays based on disposable screen-printed electrodes have been developed for quantitative determination of ochratoxin A (OTA). The assays were carried out using monoclonal antibodies in the direct and indirect format. OTA working range, I₅₀ and detection limits were 0.05-2.5 and 0.1-7.5 μg L⁻¹, 0.35 (±0.04) μg L⁻¹ and 0.9 (±0.1) μg L⁻¹, 60 and 100 μg L⁻¹ in the direct and indirect assay format, respectively. The immunosensor in the direct format was selected for the determination of OTA in wheat. Samples were extracted with aqueous acetonitrile and the extract analyzed directly by the assay without clean-up. The I₅₀ in real samples was 0.2 μg L⁻¹ corresponding to 1.6 μg/kg in the wheat sample with a detection limit of 0.4 μg/kg (calculated as blank signal −3σ). Within- and between-assay variability were less than 5 and 10%, respectively. A good correlation (r = 0.9992) was found by comparative analysis of naturally contaminated wheat samples using this assay and an HPLC/immunoaffinity clean-up method based on the AOAC Official Method 2000.03 for the determination of OTA in barley.     

基于一维DNA组装磁性纳米探针的夹心型安培免疫传感器研究

采用Fe3O4(核)/ZrO2(壳)纳米磁珠(ZMPs)标记待测物识别抗体,并用HRP酶封闭和DNA链接,建立了一类新型的"珠链状"一维磁性纳米探针制备方法。将甲胎蛋白(AFP)一抗固定于纳米金修饰的玻碳电极表面,构建了免疫电极(GCE?AFP Ab1)。基于该电极和上述合成探针,通过双抗体夹心法测定免疫产物上HRP酶对过氧化脲(CP)氧化对苯二酚反应的催化电流,研制了一类基于一维纳米结构组装的夹心型安培免疫传感器。研究表明:此一维纳米结构探针不仅大大增加了酶在电极表面的富集量,成倍扩增了催化电流,显著提高了传感器的灵敏度,而且易于通过外磁场与背景液可控分离,简化了分析步骤,并提高了结果的重复性。此传感器对AFP检测的线性范围为0.01~25 mg/L;检出限达4 ng/L(3σ),并被用于人血清中痕量AFP的测定,结果满意。     

Development of an efficient protein phosphatase-based colorimetric test for okadaic acid detection

Okadaic acid (OA), responsible for gastrointestinal problems, inhibits protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). Therefore, the inhibition exerted by the toxin on PP2A could be used to detect the presence of OA in aqueous solution and in shellfish sample.In this work, two commercial PP2As (from ZEU Immunotec and Millipore) and one produced by molecular engineering (from GTP Technology) were tested. Enzymes were used in solution and also immobilized within a polymeric gel. In solution, best performances were obtained using PP2A purchased from ZEU Immunotec (Spain). OA was detected in aqueous solution in concentration as low as 0.0124 μg L⁻¹ using the enzyme from ZEU Immunotec whereas the detection limits were 0.47 μg L⁻¹ and 0.123 μg L⁻¹ with PP2As from Millipore and GTP Technology, respectively. Considering that the immobilization step contributes to stabilize the PP2A activity, enzymes were entrapped within a photopolymer and an agarose gel. These different polymeric matrices were optimized, tested and compared. Agarose gel seems to be a good alternative to the photopolymer largely used in our group. For instance, the IC₅₀ value obtained with the test based on PP2A from ZEU Immunotec immobilized within an agarose gel was 1.98 μg L⁻¹. This value was 1.8-fold lower than those obtained with the photopolymer test using the same enzyme. The proposed test is sensitive, fast and does not require expensive equipment. To evaluate the efficiency of the assay, PP inhibition tests based on PP2A from ZEU Immunotec in solution or immobilized within a gel were used for OA detection in contaminated shellfish.     

Enzyme-catalyzed silver deposition on irregular-shaped gold nanoparticles for electrochemical immunoassay of alpha-fetoprotein

A new and disposable electrochemical immunosensor was designed for detection of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), as a model analyte, with sensitivity enhancement based on enzyme-catalyzed silver deposition onto irregular-shaped gold nanoparticles (ISGNPs). The assay was carried out with a sandwich-type immunoassay protocol by using ISGNP-labeled anti-AFP antibodies conjugated with alkaline phosphatase (ALP–Ab₂) as detection antibodies. The enzymatically catalytic deposition of silver on the electrode could be measured by stripping analysis in KCl solution due to the Ag/AgCl solid-state voltammetric process. Several labeling protocols including spherical gold nanoparticle-labeled ALP–Ab₂ and ISGNP-labeled ALP–Ab₂ were investigated for determination of AFP, and improved analytical properties were achieved with the ISGNP labeling. With the ISGNP labeling method, the effects of incubation time and incubation temperature for antigen-antibody reaction, and deposition time of silver on the current responses of the electrochemical immunosensors were also monitored. Under optimal conditions, the electrochemical immunosensor exhibited a wide dynamic range from 0.01 ng mL⁻¹ to 200 ng mL⁻¹ with a detection limit of 5.0 pg mL⁻¹ AFP. The immunosensor displayed a good stability and acceptable reproducibility and accuracy. No significant differences at the 95% confidence level were encountered in the analysis of 10 clinical serum samples between the developed immunoassay and the commercially available electrochemiluminescent method for determination of AFP.     

Electrophoretically deposited L-cysteine functionalized MoS2@MWCNT nanocomposite platform: a smart approach toward highly sensitive and label-free detection of gentamicin

The exploitation of antibiotics has caused many side effects on the agriculture, environment, and human health. The existing methods have numerous shortcomings in determining gentamicin (GEN), a broad-spectrum antibiotic that causes nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity when found in excess. Here, an immunosensing platform to detect GEN using multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) nanocomposite, deposited electrophoretically on indium tin oxide (ITO) glass has been developed. A novel 2-D graphene analog MoS₂@ MWCNTs nanocomposite was made via a facile and low-cost hydrothermal technique using l-cysteine to achieve remarkable electrochemical properties. Subsequently, a highly sensitive electrochemical immunosensor was fabricated by assembling monoclonal antibodies against gentamicin (anti-GEN) on a MoS₂@MWCNTs modified ITO electrode. The hetero-nanostructure formed on the immunosensor surface appeared relatively good conductor for accelerating the electron transfer. GEN was determined on anti-GEN modified electrodes by utilizing the differential pulse voltammetry technique by measuring the difference in current owing to the transfer of electrons directly between the redox species and immunoelectrodes. Under optimal experimental conditions, the fabricated immunosensor had a wide linear detection range of 1 × 10^?6–40 μg/mL, a high sensitivity of 13.55 μA (log μg/mL)^?1 and a low limit of detection and limit of quantification of 0.039 μg/mL and 0.130 μg/mL, respectively. The developed immunosensor also exhibits high reproducibility, repeatability, and good selectivity against various interferences. This electrochemical immunosensor having MoS₂ modified MWCNTs displays the excellent potential for the point-of-care device for GEN testing.     

Ultrasensitive electrochemical immunoassay for carcinoembryonic antigen based on three-dimensional macroporous gold nanoparticles/graphene composite platform and multienzyme functionalized nanoporous silver label

Three-dimensional macroporous gold nanoparticles/graphene composites (3D-AuNPs/GN) were synthesized through a simple two-step process, and were used to modify working electrode sensing platform, based on which a facile electrochemical immunoassay for sensitive detection of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in human serum was developed. In the proposed 3D-AuNPs/GN, AuNPs were distributed not just on the surface, but also on the inside of graphene. And this distribution property increased the area of sensing surface, resulting in capturing more primary antibodies as well as improving the electronic transmission rate. In the presence of CEA, a sandwich-type immune composite was formed on the sensing platform, and the horseradish peroxidase-labeled anti-CEA antibody (HRP-Ab₂)/thionine/nanoporous silver (HRP-Ab₂/TH/NPS) signal label was captured. Under optimal conditions, the electrochemical immunosensor exhibited excellent analytical performance: the detection range of CEA is from 0.001 to 10 ng mL⁻¹ with low detection limit of 0.35 pg mL⁻¹ and low limit of quantitation (LOQ) of 0.85 pg mL⁻¹. The electrochemical immunosensor showed good precision, acceptable stability and reproducibility, and could be used for the detection of CEA in real samples. The proposed method provides a promising platform of clinical immunoassay for other biomolecules     

Electrochemical immunoassay using magnetic beads for the determination of zearalenone in baby food: An anticipated analytical tool for food safety

In this work, electrochemical immunoassay involving magnetic beads to determine zearalenone in selected food samples has been developed. The immunoassay scheme has been based on a direct competitive immunoassay method in which antibody-coated magnetic beads were employed as the immobilisation support and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was used as enzymatic label. Amperometric detection has been achieved through the addition of hydrogen peroxide substrate and hydroquinone as mediator.Analytical performance of the electrochemical immunoassay has been evaluated by analysis of maize certified reference material (CRM) and selected baby food samples. A detection limit (LOD) of 0.011 μg L⁻¹ and EC₅₀ 0.079 μg L⁻¹ were obtained allowing the assessment of the detection of zearalenone mycotoxin. In addition, an excellent accuracy with a high recovery yield ranging between 95 and 108% has been obtained. The analytical features have shown the proposed electrochemical immunoassay to be a very powerful and timely screening tool for the food safety scene.     

Enzyme sensor for the electrochemical detection of the marine toxin okadaic acid

An enzyme sensor for the electrochemical detection of the marine toxin okadaic acid (OA) has been developed. The strategy was based on the inhibition of immobilised protein phosphatase (PP2A) by this toxin and the electrochemical measurement of the enzyme activity by the use of appropriate enzyme substrates, electrochemically active after dephosphorylation by the enzyme. Colorimetric inhibition assays have demonstrated the PP2A from human red blood cells to be more sensitive and to provide a wider linear range than the one produced by genetic engineering. Catechyl monophosphate (CMP) and p-aminophenyl phosphate (p-APP) have been tested as enzyme substrates, the former providing higher electrochemical currents at convenient working potentials (+450 mV vs. Ag/AgCl). Biosensors with 19.1 and 5.0 U of immobilised enzyme have been applied to the OA detection. Whereas the 19.1-U biosensor has provided higher electrochemical currents and more reliable determinations, the 5.0-U one has attained a lower 50% inhibition coefficient (IC₅₀) value (22.19 in front of 154.84 μg L⁻¹) and a larger working range (2.69-171.87 in front of 42.97-171.87 μg L⁻¹). The analysis of toxicogenic dinoflagellate extracts with both biosensors and the comparison with the colorimetric assay and liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) have demonstrated the applicability of the developed electrochemical devices as screening biotools for the assessment of the toxicity of a sample.     

Double electrochemical covalent coupling method based on click chemistry and diazonium chemistry for the fabrication of sensitive amperometric immunosensor

A double electrochemical covalent coupling method based on click chemistry and diazonium chemistry for the fabrication of sensitive amperometric immunosensor was developed. As a proof-of-concept, a designed alkyne functionalized human IgG was used as a capture antibody and a HRP-labeled rabbit anti-goat IgG was used as signal antibody for the determination of the anti-human IgG using the sandwich model. The immunosensor was fabricated by electrochemically grafting a phenylazide on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode, and then, by coupling the alkyne functionalized human IgG with the phenylazide group through an electro-click chemistry in the presence of Cu(II). The amperometric measurement for the determination of the anti-human IgG was performed after the fabricated immunosensor was incubated with the target anti-human IgG and then with the HRP-labeled anti-goat IgG at −0.25 V in 0.10 M PBS (pH 7.0) containing 0.1 mM hydroquinone and 2.0 mM H₂O₂. The results showed that the increased current was linear with the logarithm of the concentration of the anti-human IgG in the range from 1.0 × 10⁻¹⁰ g mL⁻¹ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁸ g mL⁻¹ with a detection limit of 3 × 10⁻¹¹ g mL⁻¹. Furthermore, the feasibility of the double electrochemical covalent coupling method proposed in this work for fabricating the amperometric immunosensor array was explored. This work demonstrates that the double electrochemical covalent coupling method is a promising approach for the fabrication of the immunosensor and immunosensor array.     

Development of a headspace-gas chromatography (HS-GC-PID-FID) method for the determination of VOCs in environmental aqueous matrices: Optimization, verification and elimination of matrix effect and VOC distribution on the Fortaleza Coast, Brazil

An analytical protocol combining a headspace technique with gas chromatography and detection by photoionization detector and flame ionization detector (HS-GC-PID-FID) was developed. This procedure was used to measure volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in environmental aqueous matrices and was applied in determination of VOCs on the coast of Fortaleza, Brazil. At optimum operating conditions, analytical figures of merit such as linearity (R ranged from 0.9983 to 0.9993), repeatability (5.62 to 9.63% and 0.02 to 0.19% for the quantitative and qualitative analyses, respectively), detection limits (0.22 to 7.48 μg L⁻¹) and sensibility were estimated. This protocol favors a fast sampling/sample preparation (in situ), minimizes the use of laboratory material, eliminates the matrix effect from environmental samples, and can be applied to river, estuarine and oceanic waters. The advantage of detectors in series is that a low sensitivity in detection in one is compensated by the other. Toluene was the most abundant VOC in the studied area, with an average concentration of 1.63 μg L⁻¹. It was followed by o-xylene (1.15 μg L⁻¹), trichloroethene (1.08 μg L⁻¹), benzene (0.86 μg L⁻¹), ethylbenzene (0.74 μg L⁻¹), carbon tetrachloride (0.55 μg L⁻¹), m/p-xylene (0.48 μg L⁻¹) and tetrachloroethene (0.46 μg L⁻¹), compounds which are very commonly detected in urban runoff from most cities. The results of the VOC distribution showed that port activity was not the main source of VOCs along the Fortaleza Coast, but that the contribution from urban runoff seemed more significant.     

Highly-sensitive label-free electrochemical carcinoembryonic antigen immunosensor based on a novel Au nanoparticles–graphene–chitosan nanocomposite cryogel electrode

For the first time, a simple and highly sensitive label-free electrochemical carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) immunosensor based on a cryogel electrode has been developed and tested. The as-prepared nanocomposite combined the advantages of the graphene, AuNPs and chitosan (AuNPs–GP–CS) together with the ease of preparing a cryogel coupled to a silver deposition, to act as a redox mediator, on a Au electrode. Under the optimal conditions, the decrease of the cyclic voltammetry (CV) silver peak current was proportional to the CEA concentration over a range of from 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 1.0 ng mL⁻¹ with a detection limit of 2.0 × 10⁻⁷ ng mL⁻¹. This AuNPs–GP–CS cryogel electrode gave a 1.7 times higher sensitivity and 25 times lower detection limit than the non-cryogel electrode. Moreover, the proposed electrochemical immunosensor exhibited good selectivity, reproducibility and stability. When applied to analyse clinical serum samples, the data determined by the developed immunosensor were in agreement with those obtained by the current hospital analysis system (enzyme linked fluorescent assay) (P > 0.05), to indicate that the immunosensor would be potentially useful for clinical diagnostics.     

Citrinin (CIT) determination in rice samples using a micro fluidic electrochemical immunosensor

The development of an electrochemical immunosensor incorporated in a micro fluidic cell for quantification of citrinin (CIT) mycotoxin in rice samples is described for the first time. Both CIT present in rice samples and immobilized on a gold surface electrodeposited on a glassy carbon (GC) electrode modified with a cysteamine self-assembled monolayer were allowed to compete for the monoclonal mouse anti-CIT IgG antibody (mAb-CIT) present in solution. Then, an excess of rabbit anti mouse IgG (H + L) labelled with the horseradish peroxidase (secAb-HRP) was added, which reacts with the mAb-CIT which is in the immuno-complex formed with the immobilized CIT on the electrode surface. The HPR, in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) catalyzes the oxidation of catechol (H₂Q) whose back electrochemical reduction was detected on a GC electrode at −0.15 V vs Ag/AgCl by amperometric measurements. The current measured is proportional to the enzymatic activity and inversely proportional to the amount of CIT present in the rice samples. This immunosensor for CIT showed a range of work between 0.5 and 50 ng mL⁻¹. The detection (LOD) and the quantification (LOQ) limits were 0.1 and 0.5 ng mL⁻¹, respectively. The coefficients of variation intra- and inter-assays were less than 6%. The electrochemical detection could be done within 2 min and the assay total time was 45 min. The immunosensor was provided to undertake at least 80 determinations for different samples with a minimum previous pre-treatment. Our electrochemical immunosensor showed a higher sensitivity and reduced analysis time compared to other analytical methods such as chromatographic methods. This methodology is fast, selective and very sensitive. Thus, the immunosensor showed to be a very useful tool to determine CIT in samples of cereals, mainly rice samples.     

Fast and simultaneous determination of phenolic compounds and caffeine in teas, mate, instant coffee, soft drink and energetic drink by high-performance liquid chromatography using a fused-core column

A fast HPLC method with diode-array absorbance detector and fluorescence detector for the analysis of 19 phenolic acids, flavan-3-ols, flavones, flavonols and caffeine in different types of samples was developed. Using a C₁₈ reverse-phase fused-core column separation of all compounds was achieved in less than 5 min with an overall sample-to-sample time of 10 min. Evaluation of chromatographic performance revealed excellent reproducibility, resolution, selectivity and peak symmetry. Limits of detection for all analyzed compounds ranged from 0.5 to 211 μg L⁻¹, while limits of quantitation ranged between 1.5 and 704 μg L⁻¹. The developed method was used for the determination of analytes present in different samples, including teas (black, white, green), mate, coffee, cola soft drink and an energetic drink. Concentration of the analyzed compounds occurring in the samples ranged from 0.4 to 314 mg L⁻¹. Caffeine was the analyte found in higher concentrations in all samples. Phytochemical profiles of the samples were consistent with those reported in the literature.     

Simultaneous electrochemical immunosensor based on water-soluble polythiophene derivative and functionalized magnetic material

A novel, sensitive electrochemical immunosensor for simultaneous determination of squamous cell carcinoma associated antigen (SCC-Ag) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) for the combined diagnosis of cervical cancer was designed. The amplification strategy for electrochemical immunoassay was based on poly[3-(1,1′-dimethyl-4-piperidine-methylene) thiophene-2,5-diylchloride] (PDPMT-Cl) and functionalized mesoporous ferroferric oxide nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄ NPs). PDPMT-Cl dispersed in chitosan solution with enhanced electrical conductivity and solubility was used as matrices to immobilize the first antibodies. Different redox probes (thionine (Th) and ferrocenecarboxylic acid (Fca)) functionalized Fe₃O₄ NPs incubated with two kinds of secondary antibodies to fabricate the labels. Using an electrochemical analysis technique, two well-separated peaks were generated by Th and Fca, making the simultaneous detection of two analytes on the electrode possible. Under optimized conditions, this method showed wide linear ranges of three orders of magnitude with the detection limits of 4 pg mL⁻¹ and 5 pg mL⁻¹, respectively. The disposable immunosensor possessed excellent clinical value in cervical cancer screening as well as convenient point-of-care diagnostics.     

Label-free amperometric immunosensor based on prussian blue as artificial peroxidase for the detection of methamphetamine

A label-free amperometric immunosensor for the detection of methamphetamine was developed. The prussian blue deposited/l-cystine-modified electrode was covered with nano-Au/(3-mercaptorpropyl) trime-thoxysilane film. Then, the nano-Au was used for the immunosensor platform to capture a large amount of anti-methamphetamine. PB exhibited excellent electrocatalytical properties toward the reduction of H₂O₂ at low overpotentia to amplify the amperometric signal, which enhanced the sensitivity of the immunosensor. The active sites of PB could be shielded and the access of H₂O₂ from solution to the electrode might be partially blocked after the completion of immunoassay, led to a linear decrease in the response current of the electrode over the range from 1.0 × 10⁻⁸ to 5.0 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹of MA. The obtained immunosensor displayed excellent catalytic reduction toward H₂O₂ due to high activity and selectivity of PB. The influence of relevant experimental variables, including the construction of immunosensor platform, the amount of MPS and the time of immunoaction, was examined and optimized.     

Effect of Different Carbon Blacks on the Simultaneous Electroanalysis of Drugs as Water Contaminants Based on Screen‐printed Sensors

For the construction of the sensor, three different carbon black (CB) materials (VULCAN XC72R, BLACK PEARLS 4750 and CB N220) were explored as modifying nanomaterial. Firstly, the electrochemical activity of the each SPE modified was compared by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy technique, using [Fe(CN)₆]^3?/4? as redox couple. After demonstrating that electrodes modified with different types of CB were characterized by improved electrochemical performances when compared with bare electrodes, and among them, electrodes modified with CB BP4750 is characterised by slightly better electrochemical properties, this type of electrode was used for the development of the analytical method. By applying SWV technique in 0.2 mol L^?1 phosphate buffer (pH 3.0), the obtained analytical curves for ACP and LVF were found linearly from 4.0 to 80.0 μmol L^?1 and from 0.90 to 70.0 μmol L^?1 with limit of detection of 2.6 μmol L^?1 and 0.42 μmol L^?1 for ACP and LVF, respectively. Finally, the quantification of these drugs in river water was evaluated using the new here‐proposed sensor by recovery method in spiked samples, obtaining satisfactory recovery values. The results achieved demonstrated that the developed analytical tool is of great analytical interest being easy to use, cost‐effective, miniaturized, and thus suitable for low cost on site analysis.     

Serum/plasma methylmercury determination by isotope dilution gas chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

A method for the determination of methylmercury in plasma and serum samples was developed. The method uses isotope dilution with ¹⁹⁸Hg-labeled methylmercury, extraction into dichloromethane, back-extraction into water, aqueous-phase ethylation, purge and trap collection, thermal desorption, separation by gas chromatography, and mercury isotope specific detection by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. By spiking 2 mL sample with 1.2 ng tracer, measurements in a concentration interval of (0.007–2.9) μg L⁻¹ could be performed with uncertainty amplification factors <2. A limit of quantification of 0.03 μg L⁻¹ was estimated at 10 times the standard deviation of concentrations measured in preparation blanks. Within- and between-run relative standard deviations were <10% at added concentration levels of 0.14 μg L⁻¹, 0.35 μg L⁻¹ and 2.8 μg L⁻¹, with recoveries in the range 82–110%. Application of the method to 50 plasma/serum samples yielded a median (mean; range) concentration of methylmercury of 0.081 (0.091; <0.03–0.19) μg L⁻¹. This is the first time methylmercury has been directly measured in this kind of specimen, and is therefore the first estimate of a reference range.     

A highly sensitive electrochemical immunosensor based on coral-shaped AuNPs with CHITs inorganic-organic hybrid film

A highly sensitive electrochemical immunosensor based on combination of chitosan (CHIT) and coral-shaped AuNPs (C-AuNPs) to form an immobilization matrix has been developed using human IgG as a model analyte. The inorganic-organic hybrid film with abundant adsorbing sites and large surface area can reserve the biocompatibility of the biomaterials which greatly increase loading amounts of assembling, thus, significantly improves the performance of biosensing. The morphology is studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Under the optimized experimental conditions, the immunosensor exhibits excellent performance (e.g., a detection limit of 5 pmol L⁻¹, a linear dynamic range of 3 orders of magnitude, high specificity). This possibly makes it an attractive platform for the direct immunoassay of human IgG or other biomolecules.     

A sensitive impedance immunosensor based on functionalized gold nanoparticle-protein composite films for probing apolipoprotein A-I

A sensitive and label-free electrochemical impedance immunosensor via covalent coupling the antibody with functionalized gold nanoparticles (FAuNP) for probing apolipoprotein A-I was presented. The hybrid gold nanoparticles were prepared with a two-in-one strategy, i.e. via the stepwise employment of self-assembled monolayer (SAM) and sol-gel techniques, to improve the performance of such a label-free immunosensor, which was investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. It was found that this novel FAuNP immunosensor showed higher protein-loading capacity and better response properties (6-17 times) than that fabricated by normal SAM technique did. The remarkably improved properties of the immunosensor were ascribed to FAuNP with the larger surface-to-volume ratio, more free amino linkage groups, and the lower nonspecific protein adsorption. As a result, the thus-prepared antibody-modified immunosensor showed reproducible (R.S.D. = ±3.2%, n = 10) linear response to apolipoprotein A-I (Apo A-I) antigens in the range of 0.1-10 ng mL⁻¹. The detection limit of this immunosensor was 50 pg mL⁻¹ (corresponding to 1.8 pmol L⁻¹), which was two orders of magnitude lower than that of the traditional methods. These results exhibited the novel immunosensor had a high sensitivity, stability and selectivity for the determination of Apo A-I, especially in clinic microanalysis.