Optical detection of phenolic compounds based on the surface plasmon resonance band of Au nanoparticles

An indirect colorimetric method is presented for detection of trace amounts of hydroquinone (1), catechol (2) and pyrogallol (3). The reduction of AuCl4(-) to Gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) by these phenolic compounds in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) produced very intense surface plasmon resonance peak of Au-NPs. The plasmon absorbance of Au-NPs allows the quantitative colorimetric detection of the phenolic compounds. The calibration curves derived from the changes in absorbance at lambda = 568 nm were linear with concentration of hydroquinone, catechol and pyrogallol in the range of 7.0 x 10(-7) to 1.0 x 10(-4)M, 6.0 x 10(-6) to 2.0 x 10(-4)M and 6.0 x 10(-7) to 1.0 x 10(-4)M, respectively. The detection limits were 5.3 x 10(-7), 2.5 x 10(-6) and 3.2 x 10(-7)M for the hydroquinone, catechol and pyrogallol, respectively. The method was applied satisfactorily to the determination of phenolic compounds in water samples and pharmaceutical formulations.     

Amperometric determination of L-tyrosine by an enzymeless sensor based on a carbon ceramic electrode modified with copper oxide nanoparticles

We report on the electrochemical formation of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) at a carbon ceramic electrode (CCE) as a highly-porous substrate. A copper film was deposited on the surface of the CCE and derivatized in situ to give CuO-NPs by potential cycling between ?0.8 and 0.35?V in strongly alkaline solution. The electrode was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The CuO-NPs exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of L-tyrosine (L-Tyr) in responding linearly in the 2 to 1,350???M concentration range, an associated detection limit (S/N?=?3) of 160?nM, and a sensitivity of 0.61?A?M^?1?cm^?2.

Ultrasensitive detection of phenolic compounds based on a spin-labeled luminescent lanthanide complex

Herein we propose a novel method for ultrasensitive detection of phenolic compounds. This method was developed based on a spin-labeled terbium complex Tb(3+)/cs124-DTPA-TEMPO (1). This spin-labeled terbium complex is a weakly luminescent compound and shows strong off-on luminescent response to phenolic compounds in the presence of horseradish peroxidase (HRP), glutathione (GSH) and hydrogen peroxide. The analyte recognition and signaling mechanism are discussed and the factors affecting the off-on luminescence have been explored. Detection limits of 1.1 nM for phenol, 1.1 nM for resorcine, 0.6 nM for m-cresol, 3 nM for p-cresol, and 0.5 nM for 2,4-dichlorophenol were obtained, respectively. The practicability of the proposed method has been tested in detection of the concentration of spiked nearshore seawaters, and recoveries of 77.4-80.4% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 1.0-2.2% were obtained.     

A novel fluorescent detection for PDGF-BB based on dsDNA-templated copper nanoparticles简

A novel method for the detection of PDGF-BB has been developed using double-strand DNA-copper nanoparticles （dsDNA-CuNPs） as fluorescent markers. This assay relies on the premise that the aptamer- based probe undergoes a conformational change upon binding with target protein, and subsequently triggers polymerization reaction to generate dsDNA. Then, the resultant dsDNA can be used as a template for the formation of CuNPs with high fluorescence. Under the optimized conditions, the proposed assay allowed sensitive and selective detection of PDGF-BB with a detection limit of 4 nmol/L. This possibly makes it an attractive platform for the detection of a variety of biomolecules whose aptamers undergo similar conformational change.     

Zinc oxide nanonail based chemical sensor for hydrazine detection

Using ZnO nanonails, a hydrazine electrochemical sensor has been fabricated, for the first time, which showed a high and reproducible sensitivity of 8.56 microA cm(-2) microM(-1) with a response time less than 5 s, a linear range from 0.1 to 1.2 microM and a correlation coefficient of R = 0.999. The limit of detection (LOD), based on the S/N ratio, was estimated to be 0.2 microM.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of phenolic compounds in rice

A method has been developed for the determination of 6'-O-feruloylsucrose, 6'-O-sinapoylsucrose, ferulic acid, sinapinic acid, p-coumaric acid, chlorogenic (3-caffeoylquinic) acid, caffeic acid, protocatechuic acid, hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, and syringic acid in rice. The rice samples were extracted with 70% ethanol, filtered, and defatted. The defatted aqueous solution was subjected to solid-phase extraction using a C18 silica gel cartridge; no analyte was lost in this procedure. The 70% acidic methanol elution was analyzed directly by HPLC and HPLC-ESI-MS. Phenolic compounds were separated with a C18 reversed-phase column by gradient elution using 0.025% trifluoroacetic acid in purified water (A)--acetonitrile (B) (0 min, 5% B; 5 min, 9% B; 15 min, 9% B; 22 min, 11% B; and 38 min, 18% B) as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.8 ml/min. Detection limits ranged from 0.10 to 0.35 ng per injection (5 microl). Relative standard deviations of 0.22-3.95% and recoveries of 99-108% were obtained for simultaneous determination of these phenolic compounds. This method was applied to analysis of phenolic compounds in brown rice and germinated brown rice soaked in 32 degrees C water for varying durations.     

A novel tyrosinase biosensor based on hydroxyapatite-chitosan nanocomposite for the detection of phenolic compounds

A novel tyrosinase biosensor based on hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (nano-HA)-chitosan nanocomposite has been developed for the detection of phenolic compounds. The uniform and size controlled nano-HA was synthesized by hydrothermal method, and its morphological characterization was examined by transmission electron microscope (TEM). Tyrosinase was then immobilized on a nano-HA-chitosan nanocomposite-modified gold electrode. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry were used to characterize the sensing film. The prepared biosensor was applied to determine phenolic compounds by monitoring the reduction signal of the biocatalytically produced quinone species at −0.2 V (vs. saturated calomel electrode). The effects of the pH, temperature and applied potential on the biosensor performance were investigated, and experimental conditions were optimized. The biosensor exhibited a linear response to catechol over a wide concentration range from 10 nM to 7 μM, with a high sensitivity of 2.11 × 10³ μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻², and a limit of detection down to 5 nM (based on S/N = 3). The apparent Michaelis-Menten constants of the enzyme electrode were estimated to be 3.16, 1.31 and 3.52 μM for catechol, phenol and m-cresol, respectively. Moreover, the stability and reproducibility of this biosensor were evaluated with satisfactory results.     

A dual electrochemical sensor for nitrite and nitric oxide

Nafion/lead-ruthenate pyrochlore chemically modified electrode (NPyCME) showed a remarkable dual sensing activity toward NO2- oxidation and NO reduction as demonstrated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), ac-impedance spectroscopy and flow injection analysis (FIA). The mechanistic parameters of current function, charge transfer resistance and exchange current for the NPyCME, GCE and Nafion-coated GCE were evaluated and compared. The disproportionation reaction of NIIIO2- into NIVO3- + NIIO in acidic solution was used as a model system for testing the dual sensing ability of the NPyCME. The obtained crossover peak response for NO2- oxidation and NO reduction in pH 1.65 buffer solution gave the direct proof for the applicability of the NPyCME in the dual electrocatalytic action. By flow injection analysis, under optimized conditions, the calibration curve was linear in the range of 100 nM-100 microM and 800 nM-63.3 microM and the detection limit (S/N = 3) was 4.8 nM and 15.6 nM for NO2- and NO, respectively.     

Enhanced chemiluminescence detection of thrombin based on cerium oxide nanoparticles

Polyacrylic acid coated nanoceria (PNCs) were found to greatly enhance the chemiluminescence (CL) intensity of the luminol-H(2)O(2) system, and by virtue of the catalytic ability of PNCs, a sensitive and specific sandwich assay for human α-thrombin was developed.     

Electrochemical aptasensor for detection of copper based on a reagentless signal-on architecture and amplification by gold nanoparticles

A highly sensitive and specific electrochemical aptasensor for Cu(2+) detection based on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) is presented. In this work, AuNPs offered a big surface area to immobilize a large number of aptamers and excellent electrochemical signal transduction. Its high sensitivity, low detection limit, and wide detection range are the main advantages over our former copper aptasensor. The peak current increased proportionally to the Cu(2+) concentration over the range from 0.1 nM to 10 μM with a detection limit of 0.1 pM. The presence of other divalent metal ions did not affect the detection of Cu(2+), which indicates a high specificity of Cu(2+) detection could be detected. Rapidity, simplicity, and excellent selectivity make it suitable for practical use in determination of Cu(2+) from lake samples.     

High-performance electrochemical sensor based on electrodeposited iron oxide nanoparticle: catecholamine as analytical probe

In this paper, we report the synthesis and electrocatalytic activity of electrodeposited Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles modified on a glassy carbon electrode as highly sensitive sensors for determination of catecholamines. Results showed that the Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles on a glassy carbon electrode exhibit excellent catalytic activity toward catecholamines oxidation, including levodopa, dopamine, and epinephrine, resulting in a marked lowering in the peak potential and considerable improvement of the peak current as compared to the electrochemical activity at the bare glassy carbon electrode. The electrochemical characterizations of catecholamines were performed using cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and differential pulse voltammetry techniques. The electrocatalytic currents increase linearly with the levodopa, dopamine, and epinephrine concentrations in the ranges of 0.0625–1000, 0.25–1500, and 0.125–1000 µM, respectively, and the detection limits (3σ) were 24 ± 2, 14 ± 2, and 12 ± 2 nM, respectively.     

Magnetic adsorbents based on iron oxide nanoparticles for the extraction and preconcentration of organic compounds

We summarize data published over the last five years on the approaches and methods used in the synthesis of magnetic adsorbents based on iron oxide nanoparticles. A classification of magnetic adsorbents is proposed; examples of their use in the magnetic solid-phase extraction of organic compounds in the analysis of environmental samples, food, and biological fluids are given.     

Development of enzyme biosensor based on pH-sensitive field-effect transistors for detection of phenolic compounds.

This article describes a biosensor based on pH-sensitive field-effect transistors (pH-FETs) as transducer, and immobilised enzyme tyrosinase as biorecognition element, which was used for the determination of phenolic compounds in water solutions. The biologically active membrane was formed by cross-linking of tyrosinase with bovine serum albumin (BSA) in saturated glutaraldehyde (GA) vapours on the sensitive transducer surface. The main analytical characteristics were studied under different conditions as well as the possibility to optimise these working parameters. Different factors such as the pH of immobilisation, the enzyme loading, the time of exposition to glutaraldehyde vapours were investigated in regards to the influence on sensitivity, limit of detection, dynamic range, and operational and storage stability.     

Smart methanol sensor based on silver oxide-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles deposited on microchips

We have prepared calcined silver oxide-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles (NPs) by a hydrothermal method using reducing agents in alkaline medium. The doped NPs were characterized by UV/vis, FTIR, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and by X-ray powder diffraction and field-emission scanning electron microscopy. The NPs were deposited on microchips to result in a sensor that has a fast response to methanol in the liquid phase. Features include high sensitivity, low-sample volume, reliability, reproducibility, ease of integration, long-term stability, and enhanced electrochemical responses. The calibration plot is linear (r²?=?0.9981) over the 0.25 mmolL^?1 to 0.25 molL^?1 methanol concentration range. The sensitivity is ~7.917 μA cm^?2 mmolL^?2, and the detection limit is 71.0?±?0.5 μmolL^?1 at a signal-to-noise-ratio of 3.

An electrochemical ascorbic acid sensor based on palladium nanoparticles supported on graphene oxide

In this study, an electrochemical ascorbic acid (AA) sensor was constructed based on a glassy carbon electrode modified with palladium nanoparticles supported on graphene oxide (PdNPs-GO). PdNPs with a mean diameter of 2.6 nm were homogeneously deposited on GO sheets by the redox reaction between PdCl₄²⁻ and GO. Cyclic voltammetry and amperometric methods were used to evaluate the electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of AA in neutral media. Compared to a bare GC or a Pd electrode, the anodic peak potential of AA (0.006 V) at PdNPs-GO modified electrode was shifted negatively, and the large anodic peak potential separation (0.172 V) of AA and dopamine (DA), which could contribute to the synergistic effect of GO and PdNPs, was investigated. A further amperometric experiment proved that the proposed sensor was capable of sensitive and selective sensing of AA even in the presence of DA and uric acid. The modified electrode exhibited a rapid response to AA within 5 s and the amperometric signal showed a good linear correlation to AA concentration in a broad range from 20 μM to 2.28 mM with a correlation coefficient of R = 0.9991. Moreover, the proposed sensor was applied to the determination of AA in vitamin C tablet samples. The satisfactory results obtained indicated that the proposed sensor was promising for the development of novel electrochemical sensing for AA determination.     

A colorimetric sensor array for detection and discrimination of biothiols based on aggregation of gold nanoparticles

Developments of sensitive, rapid, and cheap systems for identification of a wide range of biomolecules have been recognized as a critical need in the biology field. Here, we introduce a simple colorimetric sensor array for detection of biological thiols, based on aggregation of three types of surface engineered gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The low-molecular-weight biological thiols show high affinity to the surface of AuNPs; this causes replacement of AuNPs’ shells with thiol containing target molecules leading to the aggregation of the AuNPs through intermolecular electrostatic interaction or hydrogen-bonding. As a result of the predetermined aggregation, color and UV–vis spectra of AuNPs are changed. We employed the digital mapping approach to analyze the spectral variations with statistical and chemometric methods, including hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA). The proposed array could successfully differentiate biological molecules (e.g., cysteine, glutathione and glutathione disulfide) from other potential interferences such as amino acids in the concentration range of 10–800 μmol L⁻¹.     

Dopamine sensor based on a glassy carbon electrode modified with a reduced graphene oxide and palladium nanoparticles composite

We report on a sensitive electrochemical sensor for dopamine (DA) based on a glassy carbon electrode that was modified with a nanocomposite containing electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and palladium nanoparticles (Pd-NPs). The composite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and electrochemical impendence spectroscopy. The electrode can oxidize DA at lower potential (234 mV vs Ag/AgCl) than electrodes modified with RGO or Pd-NPs only. The response of the sensor to DA is linear in the 1–150 μM concentration range, and the detection limit is 0.233 μM. The sensor was applied to the determination of DA in commercial DA injection solutions.

A sensitive dual signal amplification method for western blotting based on antibody-functionalised graphene oxide and gold nanoparticles

In this study, we report an ultrasensitive western blotting method using antibody-functionalised graphene oxide sheets and gold nanoparticles. Additionally, the cost is reduced greatly by conjugating two different primary antibodies on gold nanoparticles (C. Welinder and L. Ekblad, J. Proteome Res., 2011, 10, 1416-1419).     

An electrochemical sensor based on TiO2/activated carbon nanocomposite modified screen printed electrode and its performance for phenolic compounds detection in water samples

Herein, we reported a titanium oxide (TiO₂) modified activated carbon nanocomposite that showed advantageous characteristics in terms of electro-conductivity, catalytic activity and surface area. The designed nanocomposite was employed to modify the screen printed carbon electrode transducer surface in the construction of an electrochemical sensor. The electrode surface modification was characterised by cyclic voltammetry and impedimetric studies. The modified transducer surface was subsequently used for the detection of four phenolic endocrine disruptors, p-nitrophenol, hydroquinone, catechol and 1-naphtol. Under optimal conditions, TiO₂ modified activated carbon sensor was evaluated by differential pulse voltammetry showing a good linearity with correlation coefficients higher than 0.99. It showed, in parallel, a high sensitivity where the detection limits were 348 ng/L, 110.1 ng/L, 3.3 ng/L and 7.2 µg/L for the respective studied compounds (S/N = 3). Finally, we validated the method with river water samples, and good recovery values were obtained showing the potential application of the reported biosensor.