Electrochemical Aptasensor for the Determination of Cocaine Incorporating Gold Nanoparticles Modification

A novel electrochemical aptasensor incorporating a signal enhancement for the determination of cocaine was designed. Gold nanoparticles were self‐assembled onto the surface of a gold electrode through 1,6‐hexanedithiol. A bifunctional derivative of the 32‐base cocaine‐binding aptamer with a redox‐active ferrocene moiety and a thiol linker group at the termini of the strand was self‐assembled onto the surface of gold nanoparticles. The oxidation peak current is linearly related to the concentration of cocaine from 1.0 to 15.0 μM with a detection limit of 0.5 μM. It was found that the sensitivity of the aptasensor with gold nanoparticles modification was ca. 10‐fold higher than that of the aptasensor without gold nanoparticles modification. This work demonstrates that gold nanoparticles‐assembled gold electrode provides a promising platform for immobilizing aptamer and enhancing the sensitivity.     

Preparation of Epirubicin Aptasensor Using Curcumin as Hybridization Indicator: Competitive Binding Assay between Complementary Strand of Aptamer and Epirubicin

The present work explains the fabrication of a novel electrochemical aptasensor for identifying and measuring the epirubicin (Epi) by using curcumin (Cur) as an anticancer electrochemical indicator. The aptasensor prepared by immobilizing the thiolated aptamer on the surface of graphite screen‐printed electrode modified with gold nanoparticles/functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes, ionic liquid and chitosan nanocomposite (AuNPs/FMWCNTs‐IL‐Chit/SPE). To evaluate the willingness of aptamer to interaction with Epi in the presence of complementary strand DNA, competitive binding assay between the complementary strand of aptamer and Epi were used. Cur tends to bound to the grooves of two strands DNA. With increasing the concentration of Epi in the range of 0.007–7.0 μM, the peak current of Cur decreased, due to the formation of aptamer‐Epi complex and decreasing the amount of complementary strand DNA. Through the control experiments, we examined the response of fabricated aptasensor for some anticancer drugs, which have a structure similar to the Epi. The results showed that using the thiol‐terminated aptamer as a recognition layer led to a sensor with a high tendency for Epi compared to other anticancer drugs.     

Label‐Free Electrochemical Aptasensor for Determination of Chloramphenicol Based on Gold Nanocubes‐Modified Screen‐Printed Gold Electrode

An ultrasensitive label‐free electrochemical aptasensor was developed for selective detection of chloramphenicol (CAP). The aptasensor was made using screen‐printed gold electrode modified with synthesized gold nanocube/cysteine. The interactions of CAP with aptamer were studied by cyclic voltammetry, square wave voltammetry (SWV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Under optimized conditions, two linear calibration curves were obtained for CAP determination using SWV technique, from 0.03 to 0.10 µM and 0.25–6.0 µM with a detection limit of 4.0 nM. The aptasensor has the advantages of good selectivity and stability and applied to the determination of CAP in human blood serum sample.     

Ultra-sensitive Detecting OPs-Isocarbophos Using Photoinduced Regeneration of Aptamer-based Electrochemical Sensors

Residues related to organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) may be hazardous to food and environmental safety. Isocarbophos (ICP) is one of the most highly toxic OPs that had been banned in China and strictly limited in many other countries for use on vegetables and fruits. However, illegal use often occurs in agricultural production due to its good control effect. Developing a sensitive method is an urgent need to determine trace ICP. Herein, an electrochemical aptasensor was fabricated for ICP detection, which combines the advantages of the high affinity of aptamer with photo-triggered azobenzene to realize the sensor's regeneration. In this work, the aptamer was labeled with ferrocene group (Fc) at the 3′-end and modified on the surface of the electrode as a recognition element for specific detection of ICP. Two azobenzene groups were inserted at the 5′-end of the aptamer. Upon ultraviolet light irradiation, the configuration of azobenzene altered from trans-to-cis, and two units of ICP dissociated with aptamer by the unfolding of its hairpin structure to achieve the sensor's regeneration. Based on this strategy, the current response recorded of the aptasensor increases with the increasing of ICP concentration. The differential pulse voltammogram (DPV) signals are linear with the logarithm of ICP concentration in a range from 10 pM to 10 μM. The limit of detection is 3 pM (S/N=3). After 6 times of regeneration, the signal intensity for ICP could keep over 95 % to the first time of detection. The aptasensor was also successfully applied to the ICP analysis in tomato to validate stability and applicability, with an average recovery rate of 76.2 %–119.3 % and a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 1.8 %–10.7 %. To the best of our knowledge, this study was the first time using a simple incubation procedure, to realize sensitive and reversible detection of ICP, meanwhile which expected to be applied to the ICP's toxicological research.     

Ultrasensitive one-step rapid detection of ochratoxin A by the folding-based electrochemical aptasensor

A one-step electrochemical aptasensor using the thiol- and methylene blue- (MB-) dual-labeled aptamer modified gold electrode for determination of ochratoxin A (OTA) was presented in this research. The aptamer against OTA was covalently immobilized on the surface of the electrode by the self-assembly effect and used as recognition probes for OTA detection by the binding induced folding of the aptamer. Under the optimal conditions, the developed electrochemical aptasensor demonstrated a wide linear range from 0.1 pg mL⁻¹ to 1000 pg mL⁻¹ with the limit of detection (LOD) of 0.095 pg mL⁻¹, which was an extraordinary sensitivity compared with other common methods for OTA detection. Moreover, as a practical application, this proposed electrochemical aptasensor was used to monitor the OTA level in red wine samples without any special pretreatment and with satisfactory results obtained. Study results showed that this electrochemical aptasensor could be a potential useful platform for on-site OTA measurement in real complex samples.     

G‐Quadruplex‐Based DNAzymes Aptasensor for the Amplified Electrochemical Detection of Thrombin

A novel G‐quadruplex‐based DNAzymes aptasensor for the amplified electrochemical detection of thrombin has been described. The aptasensor utilized a combination of hemin and guanine‐rich thrombin‐binding aptamer (TBA) to form horseradish peroxidase (HRP)‐mimicking DNAzymes with peroxidase catalytic activity. In the presence of thrombin, the enzyme activity could be extensively promoted, thereby providing the amplified electrochemical readout signals for detecting thrombin. This aptasensor exhibited high sensitivity and selectivity for thrombin determination, which enabled the analysis of thrombin with a detection limit of 6×10^–11 M. On the basis of results, this method could have broad applications in the detection of proteins and other biomolecules.     

Electrochemical aptasensor for the determination of bisphenol A in drinking water

We present an electrochemical aptasensor for rapid and ultrasensitive determination of the additive bisphenol A (BPA) and for screening drinking water for the presence of BPA. A specific aptamer against BPA and its complementary DNA probe were immobilized on the surface of a gold electrode via self-assembly and hybridization, respectively. The detection of BPA is mainly based on the competitive recognition of BPA by the immobilized aptamer on the surface of the electrode. The electrochemical aptasensor enables BPA to be detected in drinking water with a limit of detection as low as 0.284 pg?mL^?1 in less than 30 min. This extraordinary sensitivity makes the method a most powerful tool for on-site monitoring of water quality and food safety.

A sensitive, non-damaging electrochemiluminescent aptasensor via a low potential approach at DNA-modified gold electrodes

Electrochemiluminescence (ECL)-based biosensors are often used in the field of DNA- and protein-assay. Although ruthenium complex-based ECL is sensitive, its high exciting potential may lead to oxidation damage to biomolecules. For the first time, a non-damaging, low potential ECL aptasensor was constructed for bioassay with lysozyme as a model. After a single-stranded anti-lysozyme aptamer was attached to a gold electrode, a double stranded (ds)-DNA formed with its complementary strand. Ru(phen)(3)(2+), as an ECL probe, was intercalated into the ds-DNA. The hybridization of lysozyme with its aptamer led to the dissociation of ds-DNA because of the high stability of the aptamer-lysozyme and therefore the Ru(phen)(3)(2+) intercalated into ds-DNA was released. A low potential ECL was observed at the ds-DNA-modified electrode because ds-DNA was able to preconcentrate tripropylamine (TPA) and acted as the acceptor of the protons released from protonated TPAH(+). While the DNA sequence (anti-lysozyme aptamer) was used as the special recognition element for lysozyme, the formed ds-DNA also provided a micro-environment for low potential ECL. The low potential ECL aptasensor achieved the determination of lysozyme with a detection limit of 0.45 pM. The day-to-day precision (RSDs, n = 5) for the determination of lysozyme was lower than 5%, showing the reliability of the aptasensor. The regeneration of the aptasensor confirmed that the low potential for ECL could decrease oxidation damage to biomolecules. Further, the proposed method was successfully used to analyze diluted egg white sample directly. The protocol exhibited a promising platform for sensitive bioassay and could be further applied for the development of other low potential ECL sensing systems.     

A highly selective and sensitive cocaine aptasensor based on covalent attachment of the aptamer-functionalized AuNPs onto nanocomposite as the support platform

Based on the conformational changes of the aptamer-functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) onto MWCNTs/IL/Chit nanocomposite as the support platform, we have developed a sensitive and selective electrochemical aptasensor for the detection of cocaine. The 5′-amine-3′-AuNP terminated aptamer is covalently attached to a MWCNTs/IL/Chit nanocomposite. The interaction of cocaine with the aptamer functionalized AuNP caused the aptamer to be folded and the AuNPs with negative charge at the end of the aptamer came to the near of electrode surface therefore, the electron transfer between ferricyanide (K₃Fe(CN)₆) as redox probe and electrode surface was inhibited. A decreased current of (K₃Fe(CN)₆) was monitored by differential pulse voltammetry technique. In an optimized condition the calibration curve for cocaine concentration was linear up to 11 μM with detection limit (signal-to-noise ratio of 3) of 100 pM. To test the selectivity of the prepared aptasensor sensing platform applicability, some analgesic drugs as the interferes were examined. The potential of the aptasensor was successfully applied for measuring cocaine concentration in human blood serum. Based on our experiments it can be said that the present method is absolutely beneficial in developing other electrochemical aptasensor.     

DNA Electrochemical Aptasensor for Detecting Fumonisins B1 Based on Graphene and Thionine Nanocomposite

In this paper, a novel aptasensor was designed by with the dual amplification of Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) and graphene/thionine nanocomposites (GS‐TH) for sensitive determination of fumonisins B₁ (FB₁). AuNPs is modified at the electrode surface to increase the electrical conductivity and fabricate specific recognition interface for FB₁ through the hybridization of capture DNA and its aptamer. Large number of TH molecules were loaded at the surface of graphene sheet to served as electrochemical probe and increase its electrochemical signal due to the excellent conductivity and large surface area of graphene sheet. This type of nanocomposites is then assembled to the single strand section of FB₁ aptamer at electrode surface by π–π stacking interactions between them, leading to an enhanced electrochemical signal. After the specific combination between FB₁ aptamer and its target (FB₁) in solution, GS–TH was released from electrode surface, resulting in a decreased electrochemical signal. The result demonstrated that the decreased currents were proportional to the FB₁ concentration in the range of 1–10⁶ pg/mL with a detection limit of 1 pg/mL. Besides, the developed aptasensor was also applied successfully for the determination of FB₁ in feed samples. The result shows this aptasensor has a higher sensitivity and selectivity.     

非标记凝血酶阵列电化学适体传感器的研究

基于自制的集成化三阵列金膜电极,构建了一个简单、灵敏、非标记的凝血酶阵列电化学适体传感器。以聚乙烯不干胶掩膜版法结合金属溅射沉积技术,在FR-4玻璃纤维板上制作了由3个金膜工作电极、1个大面积金膜对电极和1个厚膜Ag/AgCl参比电极构成的集成化金膜阵列电极系统。以集成化金膜阵列电极作为基础电极,采用巯基自组装技术将带巯基的凝血酶适体固定在3个金工作电极表面,巯基己醇封闭后获得三阵列凝血酶适体传感器,以电活性物质铁氰化钾作为电化学探针,基于凝血酶适体和凝血酶结合前后铁氰化钾在电极表面传质的不同导致电流变化进行凝血酶的测定。采用方波脉冲伏安法,铁氰化钾氧化峰电流的变化值与凝血酶浓度在 1.52~63 nmol/L范围内呈良好的线性关系,检出限(S/N=3)为0.92 nmol/L。     

Ultrasensitive detection based on an aptamer beacon electron transfer chain

The construction of an ultrasensitive, reagentless, target label free electrochemical aptamer sensor (aptasensor) for thrombin detection is described. The aptasensor is based on a chronoamperometric beacon system for biomolecular recognition. The ferrocene-labeled aptamer adopts a 3-D conformational change when interacts with thrombin. Thus the ferrocene label is approached to the microperoxise-11 (MP-11) attached on the electrode surface. The thrombin–aptamer interaction is detected via a microperoxidase mediated electron transfer between the ferrocene and the surface. This system was demonstrated with surface plasmon resonance, impedance spectroscopy and chronoamperometry measurements, obtaining higher sensitivity (30 fM) with impedance spectroscopy.     

Disposable Electrochemical Aptasensor for Ultrasensitive Determination of Aflatoxin B1 Using Copper Nanoparticles as Probes

An electrochemical aptasensor for aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) detection was constructed based on the copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) and gold nanoflowers modified screen-printed carbon electrodes as electrochemical probes and substrates, respectively. In the range of 100 aM to 100 pM, a good linear relationship between oxidation peak current of CuNPs and concentration of AFB1 was obtained. The high sensitivity could be ascribed to the amplified electrochemical signals by CuNPs. The high affinity of AFB1 with aptamer endowed its high selectivity. The above advantages and disposable traits made this aptasensor as an ideal platform for evaluation of AFB1 level in food samples.     

Label-free aptasensor for thrombin using a glassy carbon electrode modified with a graphene-porphyrin composite

We report on an electrochemical aptasensor for the ultrasensitive determination of thrombin. A glassy carbon electrode modified with a graphene-porphyrin nanocomposite exhibits excellent electrochemical activity and can be used as a redox probe in differential pulse voltammetry of the porphyrin on its surface. The thrombin aptamer is then immobilized via p-stacking interactions between aptamer and graphene and π-π stacking with porphyrin simultaneously. The resulting electrochemical aptasensor displays a linear response to thrombin in the 5–1,500 nM concentration range and with a limit of detection of 0.2 nM (at an S/N of 3). The sensor benefits from the synergetic effects of graphene (with its high conductivity and high surface area), of the porphyrin (possessing excellent electrochemical activity), and of the aptamer (with its high affinity and specificity). This kind of aptasensor conceivably represents a promising tool for bioanalytical applications.

A Hairpin Electrochemical Aptasensor for Sensitive and Specific Detection of Thrombin Based on Homogenous Target Recognition

An electrochemical aptasensor was developed for sensitive and specific detection of thrombin by combining homogenous recognition strategy and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) amplification. Streptavidin‐alkaline phosphatase was used as reporter molecule. Compared with the traditional hairpin aptasensor monitoring the distance of the redox molecule from the electrode surface, the proposed aptasensor successfully overcome the limitations of distance and improved the stability and high affinity of the aptamer hairpin through homogenous recognition, which enhanced the sensitivity and selectivity of the sensors effectively. Additionally, AuNPs were employed to increase the active area and conductivity of the electrode, thus, improving the sensitivity of the aptasensor. As a result, the designed thrombin detection sensor obtained a lower detection limit of 0.52 pM in buffer and 6.9 pM in blood serum.     

Label‐Free Electrochemical Thrombin Aptasensor Based on Ag Nanoparticles Modified Electrode

A novel label‐free electrochemical method for protein detection based on redox properties of silver was developed. As recognition elements, thrombin‐binding aptamers were used. Screen printed electrodes modified with silver nanoparticles (AgNP) were employed as a sensing platform for aptasensor devices. The oxidation of silver upon polarization served as a basis for analytical response. Three different thrombin binding aptamers with various surface concentrations were studied. Linear range of aptasensor response corresponded to the 10⁻⁹ M to 10⁻⁷ M thrombin concentration range and the detection limit was 10⁻⁹ M.     

Development of Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy Based Malaria Aptasensor Using HRP‐II as Target Biomarker

Current demand for a stable, low cost and sensitive malaria sensor has prompted to explore novel recognition systems that can substitute widely used protein based labile biorecognition elements to be used in point of care diagnostic devices. Here, we report a novel ssDNA aptamer of 90 mer sequence developed by SELEX process against HRP‐II, a specific biomarker for Plasmodium falciparum strains. High stability of the secondary structure of the isolated aptamer was discerned from its free energy of folding of −20.40 kcal mole⁻¹. The binding constant (K_d) of the aptamer with HRP‐II analysed by isothermal titration calorimetry was ∼1.32 μM. Circular dichroism studies indicated B form of the aptamer DNA. The aptamer was chemically immobilized on a gold electrode surface through a self‐assembled monolayer of dithio‐bis(succinimidyl) propionate to produce the aptasensor. The step wise modification of the layers over the gold electrode during fabrication of the aptasensor was confirmed by cyclic voltammetry. The aptasensor was then challenged with different concentration of HRP‐II and analysed the interaction signals through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The impedance signal behaved reciprocally with the increasing concentrations of the target in the sample from which a dynamic range of 1 pM–500 pM (R²=0.99) and LOD of ∼3.15 pM were discerned. The applicability of the developed aptasensor to detect HRP‐II in mimicked real sample was also validated.     

基于电化学双共价键法构建可再生高灵敏的电化学发光适体传感器检测可卡因

基于点击化学和重氮盐法的双共价键固定化方法,制备了一种高灵敏、可重复使用的电化学发光(ECL)适体传感器. 该方法以可卡因为分析物,以可卡因适体为分子识别物质,以钌联吡啶衍生物为ECL信号物质. 采用电化学方法在玻碳电极表面重氮化叠氮苯胺,通过点击反应连接炔基功能化的钌联吡啶衍生物标记可卡因适体,获得适体传感器. 该传感器在共反应剂存在下,产生弱的电化学发光信号,可卡因存在下,电化学发光信号增加. 基于此,建立了“信号增强”型检测可卡因的电化学发光分析新方法. 电化学发光信号与可卡因浓度在0.1 nmol·L^-1 ~ 100 nmol·L^-1范围内呈良好的线性关系,检出限为60 pmol·L^-1. 该传感器具有良好的稳定性,可重复多次使用. 该双共价键法在构建ECL传感器方面具有很好的应用前景.     

Label-free electrochemical aptasensor for the detection of lysozyme

This work reports the advantages of a label free electrochemical aptasensor for the detection of lysozyme. The biorecognition platform was obtained by the adsorption of the aptamer on the surface of a carbon paste electrode (CPE) previously blocked with mouse immunoglobulin under controlled-potential conditions. The recognition event was detected from the decrease in the guanine and adenine electro-oxidation signals produced as a consequence of the molecular interaction between the aptamer and lysozyme. The biosensing platform demonstrated to be highly selective even in the presence of large excess (9-fold) of bovine serum albumin, cytochrome C and myoglobin. The reproducibility for 10 repetitive determinations of 10.0 mg L⁻¹ lysozyme solution was 5.1% and 6.8% for guanine and adenine electro-oxidation signals, respectively. The detection limits of the aptasensor were 36.0 nmol L⁻¹ (if considering guanine signal) and 18.0 nmol L⁻¹ (if taking adenine oxidation current). This new sensing approach represents an interesting and promising alternative for the electrochemical quantification of lysozyme.     

Aptamer-based Biosensor for Detection of Phenylalanine at Physiological pH

A simple, sensitive aptamer-based biosensor for the detection of phenylalanine is developed using the electrochemical transduction method. For this proposed aptasensor, a 5-thiol-terminated aptamer is covalently attached onto a gold electrode. At the first time, the electrode was evaluated as an electrochemical aptasensor for determination of phenylalanine in aqueous solutions. This sensor was tested in a Tris–HCl buffer with physiological pH?=?7.4 by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. The detection limit and sensitivity of the modified electrode toward phenylalanine were estimated to be 1 nM (S/N?=?3) and 0.367 μA nM^?1, respectively. The linear range of the signal was observed between 1 and 10 nM of phenylalanine with 0.9914 correlation factor. The herein-described approach is expected to promote the exploitation of aptamer-based biosensors for protein assays in biochemical and biomedical studies.