Acridine orange-induced signal enhancement effect of tyrosinase-immobilized carbon-felt-based flow biosensor for highly sensitive detection of monophenolic compounds

Tyrosinase (TYR: EC 1.14.18.1) was covalently modified onto the surface of a cyanuric chloride-activated carbon felt (CF) from the mixed buffer solution of TYR and acridine orange (AO). The resulting TYR-immobilized CF (TYR/AO-CF) was used as a working electrode unit of an electrochemical flow-through detector for mono- and di-phenolic compounds (i.e., p-chlorophenol (p-CP), p-cresol, phenol, and catechol), which detects the reduction current of enzymatically produced o-quinones at −0.05 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). The presence of AO (0.2 mM) in TYR solution during the enzyme immobilization step was significantly effective for the signal enhancements especially for p-CP, and the cathodic peak currents of p-CP by the TYR/AO-CF-based detector were much larger than those by the TYR-CF-based detector prepared from TYR solution without AO. The oxymetry with Clark-type oxygen electrode revealed that monophenolase activity of free TYR in 1 mM phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) was greatly enhanced in the presence of AO (0.2 mM), whereas diphenolase activity was not so much influenced. Furthermore, the comparison of cyclic voltammograms of TYR/AO-CF and TYR-CF in air-saturated phosphate buffer containing each substrate revealed that the electrochemical reduction rate of p-chloro-o-benzoquinone at TYR/AO-CF was faster than that at TYR-CF. In addition, the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy revealed that the structural properties of immobilized TYR on the CF would be influenced by AO. Some kinds of interaction of AO with TYR would affect the enzymatic kinetics and the structural properties of the immobilized TYR, leading to the signal enhancement of the TYR-CF-based flow biosensor especially for monophenolic compounds.     

All-electrochemical approach for the assembly of platinum nanoparticles/polypyrrole nanowire composite with electrocatalytic effect on dopamine oxidation

In the present study, a composite material consisting of polypyrrole nanowires (PPyNWs) and platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) has been developed by an all-electrochemical approach and proved to be highly effective for electrochemical determination of dopamine (DA). PPyNWs are electropolymerized by a template-free method, and PtNPs are subsequently electrodeposited by cyclic voltammetry. Chemical characterization by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed the effective PtNP immobilization on polymer nanowires discriminating at the same time Pt species deposited and revealing the occurrence of polypyrrole-PtNP interaction. The morphology of the composite material was characterized using scanning electron microscopy that showed spherical Pt nanoparticles well distributed within PPy-NW network. DA detection was performed by differential pulse voltammetry technique obtaining satisfactory performances in terms of linear range (1–77 μM), sensitivity, reproducibility (RSD 2.7%), and detection limit (0.6 μM). The electrocatalytic role of PtNPs in DA electroxidation process is clearly demonstrated by the comparison with PPyNWs only. Moreover, no significant response is observed in the presence of common interference as ascorbic acid and uric acid, which may coexist with DA in biological fluids, demonstrating a good selectivity toward DA. Moreover, DA was detected in human serum samples spiked obtaining a satisfactory recovery of 94%. A synergistic effect involving both PtNPs and PPyNWs is invoked for explaining the observed electrocatalytic activity.     

明胶固定辣根过氧化物酶制备H_2O_2传感器

用明胶将辣根过氧化物酶(HRP)固定于多壁碳纳米管(MWNT)和茜素红(AR)修饰的玻碳(GC)电极上,制成HRP生物传感器(HRP/AR/MWNT/GC),然后在3%戊二醛(GA)中进行交联改性,以克服明胶膜易溶胀的缺点,并提高膜的稳定性.同时详细探讨了该传感器对H2O2的响应性能,并优化了实验条件.结果表明,该传感器对H2O2的线性响应范围为5.0×10-6～1.0×10-3mol/L,线性相关系数为0.9932,检出限为1.0×10-7mol/L,且放于4℃环境30d后,峰电流值约为原来的72.1%.该传感器响应快速,灵敏度高,且具有良好的重现性、稳定性及较长的使用寿命,具有潜在的应用价值.     

A preparation of a single-layered enzyme-membrane using asymmetric pBPPO base film for development of pesticide detecting biosensor

A novel single-layered enzyme-membrane using BPPO film which was pore-filled with cross-linked PVA containing TYR was prepared to develop a pesticide biosensor with an increased stability. The prepared enzyme-membrane was assembled on a glassy carbon electrode to detect pesticides. The voltammetric measurements revealed a coupled reaction, an enzymatic oxidation and an electrochemical reduction of catechol transported through the prepared membrane. A detection range of parathion and carbaryl was 0.01–1 ppb and 0.01–10 ppb, respectively. The activity in the enzyme-membrane was maintained for 1 month due to favorable aqueous environment of PVA for enzyme activity while BPPO film provided structural stability.     

Mixed Langmuir monolayers of gramicidin A and fluorinated alcohols

Mixed monolayers of gramicidin A (GA) and three alcohols, differing in the degree of fluorination, namely C18OH, F18OH, and F8H10OH have been investigated by means of: surface manometry (pi-A isotherms) and Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) aiming at finding appropriate molecules for incorporating gramicidin A for a biosensor design. Our results proved that only the semifluorinated alcohol is appropriate material for this purpose since it forms miscible and homogeneous monolayers with GA within the whole concentration range. The experimental results have been supported by the calculations of van der Waals energy profiles using the Insight II program. Both the hydrogenated and perfluorinated alcohols were found to aggregate at higher surface pressures, which exclude their application for gramicidin-based biosensor construction.     

Overcoming the adverse effects of crosslinking in biosensors via addition of PEG: Improved sensing of hydrogen peroxide using immobilized peroxidase

Glutaraldehyde (GA) is widely used as a crosslinker to immobilize enzymes, for examples in biosensors, but often causes partial denaturation. We find that the proper use of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) during the crosslinking process can fully preserve the native state and activity of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). An amperometric biosensor was developed based on these findings for the direct determination of hydrogen peroxide. UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopy reveal that the HRP entrapped in a polypyrrole matrix retains its native structure. The addition of PEG increases the sensitivity and stability of the biosensor and prevents many of effects caused by intra-crosslinking via GA. The biosensor was operated at a potential of ?350?mV (vs Ag/AgCl) without any mediator and gave a linear response to H₂O₂ in the 5 to 190???M concentration range. The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant is 3.37?mM, and maximal current is as high as 3.43???A. The surface of the biosensor was characterized by atomic force microscopy operated in the tapping mode.

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).     

Low‐Background,Highly Sensitive DNA Biosensor by Using an Electrically Neutral Cobalt(II) Complex as the Redox Hybridization Indicator

An electrically neutral cobalt complex, [Co(GA)₂(phen)] (GA=glycollic acid, phen=1,10‐phenathroline), was synthesized and its interactions with double‐stranded DNA (dsDNA) were studied by using electrochemical methods on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). We found that [Co(GA)₂(phen)] could intercalate into the DNA duplex through the planar phen ligand with a high binding constant of 6.2(±0.2)×10⁵ M ^?1. Surface studies showed that the cobalt complex could electrochemically accumulate within the modified dsDNA layer, rather than within the single‐stranded DNA (ssDNA) layer. Based on this feature, the complex was applied as a redox‐active hybridization indicator to detect 18‐base oligonucleotides from the CaMV35S promoter gene. This biosensor presented a very low background signal during hybridization detection and could realize the detection over a wide kinetic range from 1.0×10^?14 M to 1.0×10^?8 M , with a low detection limit of 2.0 fM towards the target sequences. The hybridization selectivity experiments further revealed that the complementary sequence, the one‐base‐mismatched sequence, and the non‐complementary sequence could be well‐distinguished by the cobalt‐complex‐based biosensor.     

一种基于壳聚糖固定葡萄糖氧化酶的葡萄糖生物传感器的研究

本文选用生物相容性好的壳聚糖作为基体材料，使其与戊二醛交联成网状结构包埋葡萄糖氧化酶制成电化学传感器。这种壳聚糖膜不仅可以减小葡萄糖氧化酶的流失，而且能为酶提供了适宜的微环境。用红外光谱、紫外光谱及透射电镜对膜的形态和性质进行了表征。实验结果表明该传感器具有很快的响应速度，很好的稳定性和重现性，能选择性地催化葡萄糖并测定其浓度。该传感器的制备方法简单，成本低，于冰箱中放置两周信号保持在90％以上，对葡萄糖测量的线性范围为1×10^-5 - 3.4×10^-3mol•L^-1，当信噪比为3:1时检测限为5×10^-6mol•L^-1。     

Miniaturised enzymatic conductometric biosensor with Nafion membrane for the direct determination of formaldehyde in water samples

A new conductometric enzyme-based biosensor was developed for the determination of formaldehyde (FA) in aqueous solutions. The biosensor was prepared by cross-linking formaldehyde dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas putida with bovine serum albumin in saturated glutaraldehyde vapours (GA) at the surface of interdigitated gold microelectrodes. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide cofactor (NAD⁺) was added in solution at each measurement to maintain enzyme activity. Addition of a Nafion layer over the enzyme modified electrode resulted in a significant increase of biosensor signal due to enhanced accumulation of protons generated by enzymatic reaction at the electrode surface. Different parameters affecting enzyme activity or playing a role in ionic transfer through the Nafion membrane were optimised. In optimal conditions (0.045 mg enzyme, 30 min exposure to GA, 0.3 μL of a 1 % (v/v) Nafion solution deposit, measurement in 5 mM phosphate buffer pH 7 containing 20 μM NAD⁺), the biosensor signal was linear up to 10 mM FA, and the detection limit was 18 μM. Relative standard deviations calculated from five consecutive replicates of FA solutions were lower than 5 % in the 1–10 mM range. The biosensor was successfully applied to the determination of FA in spiked water samples (tap water and Rhone river water), with recoveries in the 95–110 % range.

Alternative Approach for Specific Tyrosinase Inhibitor Screening: Uncompetitive Inhibition of Tyrosinase by Moringa oleifera

Tyrosinase (TYR) is a type III copper oxidase present in fungi, plants and animals. The inhibitor of human TYR plays a vital role in pharmaceutical and cosmetic fields by preventing synthesis of melanin in the skin. To search for an effective TYR inhibitor from various plant extracts, a kinetic study of TYR inhibition was performed with mushroom TYR. Among Panax ginseng, Alpinia galanga, Vitis vinifera and Moringa oleifera, the extracts of V. vinifera seed, A. galanga rhizome and M. oleifera leaf reversibly inhibited TYR diphenolase activity with IC₅₀ values of 94.8 ± 0.2 µg/mL, 105.4 ± 0.2 µg/mL and 121.3 ± 0.4 µg/mL, respectively. Under the same conditions, the IC₅₀ values of the representative TYR inhibitors of ascorbic acid and kojic acid were found at 235.7 ± 1.0 and 192.3 ± 0.4 µg/mL, respectively. An inhibition kinetics study demonstrated mixed-type inhibition of TYR diphenolase by A. galanga and V. vinifera, whereas a rare uncompetitive inhibition pattern was found from M. oleifera with an inhibition constant of K_ii 73 µg/mL. Phytochemical investigation by HPLC-MS proposed luteolin as a specific TYR diphenolase ES complex inhibitor, which was confirmed by the inhibition kinetics of luteolin. The results clearly showed that studying TYR inhibition kinetics with plant extract mixtures can be utilized for the screening of specific TYR inhibitors.     

Elaboration of Urease Adsorption on Silicalite for Biosensor Creation

A possibility of efficient urease adsorption on silicalite for the purpose of biosensor creation was investigated. The procedure of urease adsorption on silicalite is notable for such advantages as simple and fast performance and non‐use of toxic or auxiliary compounds. Optimal conditions for modifying transducer surfaces with silicalite and subsequent urease adsorption on these surfaces were selected. The working parameters of the created biosensor were optimized. The developed biosensor with adsorbed urease was characterized by good intra‐reproducibility (RSD – 4.5 %), improved inter‐reproducibility (RSD of urea determination is 9 %) and operational stability (less than 10 % loss of activity after 10 days). Besides, the developed method for enzyme adsorption on silicalite was compared with the traditional methods of urease immobilization in biosensorics. Working conditions of the produced biosensor (pH and ionic strength) were shown to be close to those of the biosensor based on urease immobilized in GA vapor. For these reasons, it was concluded that the method of enzyme adsorption on silicalite is well‐suited for biosensor standardization aimed at its further manufacture.     

Fast-response fluorescent probe with favorable water solubility for highly sensitive imaging of endogenous tyrosinase in living cells and zebrafish model

Tyrosinase (TYR) is an important polyphenolic oxidase enzyme and usually regards as a biomarker of melanoma cancer. Highly effective tracking TYR activity in vivo will help to study the mechanism of TYR in living organisms and forecasts related diseases. In this study, we present a novel TYR-activatable fluorescent probe (CHMC-DOPA) for tracking TYR activity in vitro and in vivo. CHMC-DOPA is constructed by incorporating dopamine (DOPA) moiety into a fluorescent chloro-hydroxyl-merocyanine (CHMC) scaffold. Upon exposure to TYR, the dopamine unit in CHMC-DOPA is oxidized to a dopaquinone derivative, and an intramolecular photo-induced electron transfer (PET) process between CHMC fluorophore and o-dopaquinone will take place, the fluorescence of CHMC-DOPA is quenched rapidly. Therefore, the evaluation of TYR activity is established in terms of the relationship between fluorescence quenching efficiency and TYR activity. In our experiments, CHMC-DOPA shows various advantages, such as fast response (8?min), low concentration of TYR activation (0.5 U/mL), good water-solubility, as well as the lowest detection limit (0.003 U/mL) compared with previously reported works. Furthermore, CHMC-DOPA also exhibits excellent cell membrane permeability and low cytotoxicity, which is successfully used to monitor endogenous TYR activity in living cancer cells and zebrafish models. CHMC-DOPA performs well, and we anticipate that this newly designed novel platform will provide an alternative for high effective monitoring TYR activity in biosystems.     

An alcohol oxidase biosensor using PNR redox mediator at carbon film electrodes

A new amperometric biosensor for ethanol monitoring has been developed and optimised. The biosensor uses poly(neutral red) (PNR), as redox mediator, which is electropolymerised on carbon film electrodes and alcohol oxidase (AlcOx) from Hansenula polymorpha as recognition element, immobilised by cross-linking with glutaraldehyde (GA) in the presence of bovine serum albumin (BSA) as carrier protein. Optimisation of variables affecting the system was performed and, for chronoamperometric measurements, a potential of −0.300 V versus saturated calomel electrode was chosen in 0.1 M sodium phosphate buffer saline at pH 7.5. The optimised biosensor showed a good sensitivity of 171.8 ± 14.8 nA mM⁻¹ and the corresponding detection limit (signal-to-noise-ratio = 3) of 29.7 ± 1.5 μM. Stability studies showed a good preservation of the bioanalytical properties of the sensor, 57.6% of its initial sensitivity remaining after 3 weeks (the sensor was used two to three times per week). No significant interferences were found from compounds usually present in wine. The biosensor was used for the determination of ethanol in Portuguese red and white wines.     

Obtainment of chelating agents through the enzymatic oxidation of lignins by phenol oxidase

Oxidation of lignin obtained from acetosolv and ethanol/water pulping of sugarcane bagasse was performed by phenol oxidases: tyrosinase (TYR) and laccase (LAC), to increase the number of carbonyl and hydroxyl groups in lignin, and to improve its chelating capacity. The chelating properties of the original and oxidized lignins were compared by monitoring the amount of Cu²⁺ bound to lignin by gel permeation chromatography. The Acetosolv lignin oxidized with TYR was 16.8% and with LAC 21% higher than that of the original lignin. For ethanol/water lignin oxidized with TYR was 17.2% and with LAC 18% higher than that of the original lignin.     

Conductometric tyrosinase biosensor for the detection of diuron, atrazine and its main metabolites

The determination of diuron, atrazine, desisopropylatrazine (DIA) and desethylatrazine (DEA) were investigated using conductometric tyrosinase biosensor. Tyrosinase was immobilised on the biosensor sensitive part by allowing it to mix with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and then cross-linking in saturated glutaraldehyde (GA) vapour for 30 min. The determination of pollutants in a solution was performed by comparison of the output signal (i.e percentage of the enzymatic activity) of the biosensor before and after contact with pollutants. The measurement of the enzymatic activity was performed using 4-chlorophenol, phenol and catechol substrates and response times ranging from 1 to 5 min were observed. A 4-chlorophenol substrate was used to detect pesticides. A 30 min contact time of the biosensor in the pollutant solution was used. Under the experimental conditions employed, detection limits for diuron and atrazine were about 1 ppb and dynamic range of 2.3-2330 and 2.15-2150 ppb were obtained for diuron and atrazine, respectively. A relative standard deviation (n=3) of the output signal was estimated to be 5% and a slight drift of 1.5 μS h⁻¹ was observed. The 90% of the enzyme activity was still maintained after 23 days of storage in a buffer solution at 4 °C.     

Amperometric Glucose Determination by Means of Glucose Oxidase Immobilized on a Cellulose Acetate Film: Dependence on the Immobilization Procedures

Glucose microelectrodes were prepared by immobilizing glucose oxidase onto a cellulose acetate film coating a platinum wire. Hexamethylenediamine (HMDA) and Glutaraldehyde (GA) were employed as spacer and coupling agent, respectively. Sensitivities and linear response ranges were studied as a function of the relative amounts of HMDA and GA. The best sensitivity was found when HMDA and GA were 5% and 2.5% in aqueous solutions, respectively. Taking as a reference the functioning of this biosensor, the roles of HMDA and GA percentages appear to be opposed when the extension of the linear response range is considered. Indeed, an increase of one unit in HMDA percentage (from 5 to 6 %) induces an increase in the extension of the linear response range equal to that obtained with a decrease of one unit of GA percentage (from 2.5 to 1.5%).     

Investigation of biosensor signal bioamplification: comparison of direct electrochemistry phenomena of individual Laccase, and dual Laccase-Tyrosinase copper enzymes, at a Sonogel-Carbon electrode

Direct electrochemistry of Trametes versicolor Laccase (LAC) was found at a Sonogel-Carbon electrode. The bioamplification, performed by dual immobilization of this enzyme and Mushroom Tyrosinase (TYR), of the bio-electrocatalytic reduction of O₂ was investigated. The calculated transfer coefficients were 0.64 and 0.67, and the heterogeneous electron-transfer rate constants were 6.19 and 8.52 s⁻¹, respectively, for the individual LAC and dual LAC-TYR-based Nafion/Sonogel-Carbon bio-electrodes. The responses of the dual enzymes electrode to polyphenols were stronger than those of the individual LAC or TYR biosensors. Hypotheses are offered about the mechanism of bioamplification. The surfaces of the biosensors were also characterized by AFM.     

壳聚糖固定化葡萄糖氧化酶生物传感器测定葡萄糖的含量

应用壳聚糖将葡萄糖氧化酶固定于鸡蛋膜上,结合氧电极制得葡萄糖传感器.实验表明,壳聚糖比戊二醛能更好地固定葡萄糖氧化酶,最佳条件为壳聚糖浓度0.3%、固定化酶量0.8 mg、 pH 7.0、缓冲溶液浓度300 mmol/L和温度25 ℃.本葡萄糖传感器的线性范围为0.016～1.10 mmol/L;检出限为8.0 μmol/L(S/N=3), 响应时间<60 s,有很好的稳定性,寿命>3个月.同一个传感器重复使用以及同方法制作的不同传感器之间都有很好的重现性,RSD分别为2.5%(n=10)和4.7%(n=4).实际样品中可能存在的烟酰胺、 VB6、 VB12、 VE、Ca2+、 Mg2+、 K+和Zn2+等对葡萄糖的测定不产生干扰.本传感器已成功地应用于市售饮料中葡萄糖含量的测定.     

Kinetic Analysis of the Interaction between Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs and Cyclooxygenase-2Using Wavelength Modulation Surface Plasmon Resonance

A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor based on wavelength modulation technology was developed and validated for the kinetic analysis of the interactions between two nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2). After the effect of different concentration COX‐2 on the binding capacity of the SPR biosensor surface was studied, the COX‐2 was immobilized covalently onto the biosensor surface using a standard amine coupling method. The affinity constants for indomethacin, ketoprofen binding to COX‐2 are 7.5×10³ L/mol and 9.25×10³ L/mol, respectively. The biosensor surface can be regenerated after being rinsed with 0.01 mol/L NaOH, and the biosensor can be used repeatedly. These indicated that the wavelength modulation SPR biosensor has the potential application in the fields of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and drug discovery.