Direct electrochemistry and superficial characterization of DNA-cytochrome c-MUA films on chemically modified gold surface

Cytochrome c (Cyt. c) was immobilized on the 11-mercaptohendecanoic acid (MUA)-modified gold electrode. The electrode was stable and sensitive to Cyt. c. Later, DNA was also immobilized on the two-layer modified electrode. Cyclic voltammetry studies show that Cyt. c can interact with dsDNA and ssDNA. The binding site sizes were determined to be 15 base pairs per Cyt. c molecule with dsDNA and 30 nucleotides binding 1 Cyt. c molecule with ssDNA. The modified electrodes were characterized by quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), impedance spectroscopy and atomic force microscope (AFM). The modified electrode can be used for determining DNA.     

Amperometric response to reducing carbohydrates of an enzyme electrode based on oligosaccharide dehydrogenase. Detection of lactose and α-amylase

A mediated amperometric enzyme electrode, which was constructed by immobilizing oligosacharide dehydrogenase behind a dialysis membrane on the surface of a carbon paste electrode containing p-benzoquinone, showed a current response to d-xylose, d-galactose, d-mannose, lactose, maltose, maltotriose, maltopentaose and maltohexaose. The sensitivity of the current response to these carbohydrates was dependent on the kinetics of the immobilized enzyme reaction and/or the permeation rate of the substrate through the dialysis membrane. Hence the sensitivity could be varied by controlling the amount of the immobilized enzyme and the thickness of the dialysis membrane. The time dependence of the current response ofthe enzyme electrode with a large amount of the immobilized enzyme and a thicker dialysis membrane could be explained by an equation describing diffusion of the substrate in the membrane. The enzyme electrode was used to measure lactose in milk and to assay α-amylase in standard serum.     

Impedance of the SnO<Subscript>2</Subscript>|liquid crystal ZhK-440|SnO<Subscript>2</Subscript> system

The SnO₂|ZhK-440|SnO₂ system, where the ZhK-440 is a liquid crystal mixture consisting of 2/3 parts of p-butyl-p'-methyloxyazoxybenzene and 1/3 part of p-butyl-p'-heptanoyloxyazoxybenzene, was studied by impedance spectroscopy. The impedance spectrum of the system contained the contributions from electric conductivity and bulk and electrode polarizations. The models of bulk and electrode impedance were discussed.     

QCM-DNA biosensor based on plasma modified PT/TiO2 nanocomposites

A quartz crystal microbalance DNA biosensor based on plasma prepared polythiophene /titanium dioxide (PT/TiO₂) nanocomposite was developed for the detection of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). DNA hybridization was studied by quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements. Single stranded DNA probes were immobilized on the PT/TiO₂ coated quartz crystal electrode and the hybridization between the immobilized probe and the target complementary sequence in solution was monitored. The developed QCM-DNA biosensor represented promising results for a real-time, label-free, direct detection of DNA samples for the screening of genetically modified organisms.     

Voltammetric sensing of sugar by an electrode covered with wheat germ agglutinin/chitin film

The binding between wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) and N-acetylglucosamine at the electrode covered with chitin film was investigated with voltammetry. Chitin, β-1,4-poly-N-acetylglucosamine, is one of the biolpolymers which have a high biocompatibility. WGA is immobilized to the surface of chitin film by the affinity of WGA to N-acetylglucosamine residue of chitin. To investigate the binding event of WGA on the chitin modified electrode, N-acetylglucosamine labeled with an electroactive compound was prepared. The binding causes the changes in the electrode response of labeled sugar. The peak current of labeled sugar decreased due to the specific binding with WGA on the chitin film modified at the electrode. N-Acetylglucosamine was successfully determined by using the competitive reaction with labeled sugar to WGA on the chitin film electrode.     

An improved FIA biosensor for the determination of aspartame in dietary food products

A flow injection analysis (FIA) biosensor system was developed for the determination of the artificial sweetener aspartame (l-aspartyl-l-phenylalanine methyl ester). The system consisted of an enzyme column of pronase immobilized on activated arylamine glass beads and al-amino acid oxidase electrode connected in series. The dipeptide bond of aspartame was cleaved by immobilized pronase to release phenylalanine, which was in turn monitored by the enzyme electrode that usedl-amino acid oxidase, immobilized on a preactivated nylon membrane in combination with an amperometric electrode (platinum vs silver/silver chloride, 700 mV). The response of the FIA biosensor was linear up to 1 mM aspartame with a lower detection limit of 25 μM and had good reproducibility (rsd 0.3%). The FIA biosensor was stable for at least 30 h of continuous use atT _r .Each assay takes 4 min giving a sample throughput of 15 h^?1 When applied to aspartame in dietary food products the results obtained agreed well with those reported by the product manufacturers.     

Interfacing cytochrome c to electrodes with a DNA – carbon nanotube composite film

Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) is successfully immobilized on the surface of platinum electrode by mixing with DNA. The DNA/MWCNT modified electrodes are characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Further research indicates that cytochrome c can strongly adsorbed on the surface of the modified electrode, and forms an approximate monolayer. The immobilized MWCNT can promote the redox of horse heart cytochrome c which gives reversible redox peaks with a formal potential of 81 mV vs SCE.     

Trans-membrane electron transfer in red blood cells immobilized in a chitosan film on a glassy carbon electrode

We have studied the trans-membrane electron transfer in human red blood cells (RBCs) immobilized in a chitosan film on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Electron transfer results from the presence of hemoglobin (Hb) in the RBCs. The electron transfer rate (k _s) of Hb in RBCs is 0.42 s^?1, and <1.13 s^?1 for Hb directly immobilized in the chitosan film. Only Hb molecules in RBCs that are closest to the plasma membrane and the surface of the electrode can undergo electron transfer to the electrode. The immobilized RBCs displayed sensitive electrocatalytic response to oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. It is believed that this cellular biosensor is of potential significance in studies on the physiological status of RBCs based on observing their electron transfer on the modified electrode.

Immobilization of photosystem I or II complexes on electrodes for preparation of photoenergy-conversion devices

Photosystems, PSI and PSII isolated from Thermosynechococcus elongatus were successfully immobilized on a TiO₂ nanostructured film for use in dye-sensitized biosolar cells (DSBCs). The photosystem complexes were also immobilized on an ITO electrode modified with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane by utilizing the interactions between the electrode and the surface of the PSI or PSII polypeptide. Illumination of the PSI and PSII complexes immobilized on the ITO electrode resulted in action spectra in the presence of methyl viologen, which corresponded to the absorption spectra of the complexes. Compared with the ITO electrode, PSI or PSII complexes assembled on the TiO₂ electrode had much higher energy-conversion efficiency in the presence of an iodide/triiodide redox system of an ionic-liquid-based electrolyte. This could have interesting applications in the development of DSBCs.     

Electrochemical DNA impedance biosensor for the detection of DNA hybridization with polymeric film, single walled carbon nanotubes modified glassy carbon electrode

In this work, we report the fabrication of a sensitive electrochemical DNA impedance biosensor for the detection of sequence-specific target DNA. p-Aminobenzoic acid was first immobilized on the surface of the electrode modified with single walled carbon nanotubes with carboxylic acid groups (SWCNTs) by cyclic voltammetry (CV). A single-stranded DNA probe with a NH₂ group at the end (H₂N-ssDNA) was then covalently immobilized on the surface of polymeric film at room temperature. The impedance measurement was performed in a solution containing 5 mM K₃[Fe(CN)₆]/K₄[Fe(CN)₆]. The change of interfacial charge transfer resistance (R _CT) was confirmed the hybrid formation. The difference of R _CT was linear with the logarithm of complementary oligonucleotides concentrations in the range of 1.0 × 10^?12 to 1.0 × 10^?7 M, with a detection limit of 3.5 × 10^?13 M (S/N = 3).     

Enantioselective electrocatalytic epoxidation of olefins by chiral manganese Schiff-base complexes

Asymmetric electrocatalytic epoxidation of olefins has been achieved with chiral manganese Schiff-base complexes immobilized on a glassy carbon electrode surface using molecular dioxygen as oxidant. The electrocatalytic system gives moderate enantiomeric excess (ee) values (65–77%) for the epoxidation of cis-stilbene, trans-stilbene and styrene. Our results indicated that the catalyst turnover number is significantly improved when the manganese complexes are immobilized on the electrode surface, which can be attributed to the suppression of the formation of inactive manganese dimer when the active metal centres are attached to the polymer network.     

An enzyme electrode based on electromagnetic entrapment of the biocatalyst bound to magnetic beads

A new type of biosensor is described. It is based on the use of a Clark-type oxygen electrode placed in an electromagnetic field. The biomolecules used in this sensor are immobilized on small magnetic beads which are added to the system when needed and removed as required. By varying the strength of the magnetic field, a homogeneous distribution of particles at the electrode tip is achieved. The electrode is used for the determination of glucose with immobilized glucose oxidase as well as cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.     

A New Bacteriophage-Modified Piezoelectric Sensor for Rapid and Specific detection of Mycobacterium

Detection of tuberculosis and related diseases caused by mycobacteria is costly, time-consuming, and labor-intensive. Here a new phage-modified piezoelectric system for rapid and specific detection of mycobacteria was developed. In this system, interdigital gold electrode immobilized with lytic phage was used as a probe in place of a steel electrode in the multi-channel series piezoelectric quartz crystal (MSPQC) system. The probe was directly connected to the piezoelectric detection system. Mycobacterium was specifically captured to the phage-modified electrode and then lysed by immobilized phage, which caused the electrode electrical properties change. This change can be sensitively monitored by the piezoelectric detection system. The detection time of Mycobacterium smegmatis was less than 2 hours and a detection limit of 10³cfu mL^?1 was obtained. Additionally, it was successfully used to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The developed system using phage-modified interdigital electrode showed high specificity and reproducibility for mycobacterium detection. Compared with the MSPQC system, the proposed system was faster and more specific.     

Cytochrome c′ from Chromatium vinosum on gold electrodes

Cytochrome c′ from Chromatium vinosum (CVCP) was immobilized at a surface-modified gold electrode. Characterization of the CVCP electrode showed a quasi-reversible, diffusionless electrochemical redox behavior of the surface adsorbed protein with a formal potential of −128±5 mV vs. Ag/AgCl. The heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant of adsorbed CVCP was determined to be about 50 s⁻¹. Different immobilization strategies were compared. The interaction of the immobilized CVCP with nitric oxide (NO) was investigated and applied for a primary amperometric detection of NO in solution.     

Oxygen-reducing electrodes based on layer-by-layer assemblies of cytochrome c and laccasse

Electroactive multilayer assemblies combining the redox protein cytochrome c and the enzyme laccase were fabricated by the layer-by-layer adsorption technique on gold electrodes and were shown to be capable of direct oxygen reduction. Laccase from trametes versicolor was electrostatically immobilized on multilayer films consisting of cytochrome c and the polyelectrolyte polyanilinesulfonic acid. The layer formation was monitored by quartz crystal microbalance. The electrochemical behavior of the electrodes was investigated by cyclic voltammetry. The resulting assembly exhibited a catalytic oxygen reduction current. This indicates a multi-step electron transport chain from the electrode via the cytochrome c layers towards laccase, and finally, to molecular oxygen. The catalytic efficiency of the electrodes was examined in the pH range from 4.5 to 7.0, showing highest enzymatic oxygen reduction at pH 4.5. Furthermore, the catalytic current was found to correlate linearly with the oxygen content of the solution. This suggests that the overall current is limited by the catalytic reduction of oxygen by the laccase rather than by the preceding electron transfer steps.     

Determination of active diaphorase immobilized at electrode surfaces

The activity of diaphorase (from Bacillus stearothermophilus) immobilized on glassy carbon (GC) electrodes was determined by analyzing the catalytic currents for oxidation of the immobilized enzyme using digital simulation techniques, which gives the concentration of the active enzyme at the electrode surface. Results show that the immobilization by the cross-linking reaction with glutaraldehyde deactivates the enzyme and only about 10% of the total enzyme remains active at the electrode surface.     

Preparation of electrochemically reduced graphene oxide-modified electrode and its application for determination of p-aminophenol

A simple and eco-friendly electrochemical method to reduce graphene oxide precursor was employed for fabrication of graphene sheets modified glassy carbon electrode, and then, the resulting electrode [electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ERGO)/glassy carbon electrode (GCE)] was used to determine p-aminophenol. The experimental results demonstrated that the modified electrode exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity toward the redox of p-aminophenol as evidenced by the significant enhancement of redox peak currents and the decreased peak-to-peak separation in comparison with a bare GCE. A highly sensitive and selective voltammetry determination of p-aminophenol is developed using the ERGO/GCE. This method has been applied for the direct determination of p-aminophenol in artificial wastewater.     

Selective recognition and electrochemical detection of p-nitrophenol based on a macroporous imprinted polymer containing gold nanoparticles

We have combined the molecular imprinting and the layer-by-layer assembly techniques to obtain molecularly imprint polymers (MIPs) for the electrochemical determination of p-nitrophenol (p-NPh). Silica microspheres functionalized with thiol groups and gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) were assembled on a gold electrode surface layer by layer. The electrode was then immersed into a solution of pyrrole and p-NPh (the template), and electropolymerization led to the creation of a polymer-modified surface. After the removal of the silica spheres and the template, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) were employed to characterize the surface. The results demonstrated the successful fabrication of macroporous MIPs embedded with Au-NPs on the gold electrode. The effects of monomer concentration and scan rate on the performance of the electrode were optimized. Excellent recognition capacity is found for p-NPh over chemically similar species. The DPV peak current is linearly related to concentration of p-NPh in the 0.1 μM to 1.4 mM range, with a 0.1 μM limit of detection (at S/N?=?3).

Selective immobilization of double stranded DNA on a gold surface through threading intercalation of a naphthalene diimide having dithiolane moieties

Newly synthesized naphthalene diimide 1 having two dithiolane moieties at its substituted termini bound to double stranded DNA by threading intercalation and the resulting complex was immobilized on the gold surface through a dithiolane-gold linkage as revealed by quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) experiments. DNA with 20-meric double stranded and 24-meric single stranded regions was indirectly immobilized on the gold electrode using this characteristic of 1. Hybridization efficiency was 92%, a value higher than 50% for a thiolated oligonucleotide under identical conditions. When this electrode was subjected to hybridization with a 124-meric target DNA in the presence of ferrocenylnaphthalene diimide (FND) as an electrochemical hybridization indicator, a large current increase was observed deriving from FND bound in the double stranded region newly formed between the probe and target DNA.     

Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide and Glucose Based on Immobilized C60‐Catalase Enzyme

The interaction between fullerene C60 and catalase enzyme was studied with a fullerene C60‐coated piezoelectric (PZ) quartz crystal sensor. The partially irreversible response of the C60‐coated PZ crystal sensor for catalase was observed by the desorption study, which implied that C60 could chemically react with catalase. Thus, immobilized fullerene C60‐catalase enzyme was synthesized and applied in determining hydrogen peroxide in aqueous solutions. An oxygen electrode detector with the immobilized C60‐catalase was also employed to detect oxygen, a product of the hydrolysis of hydrogen peroxide which was catalyzed by the C60‐catalase. The oxygen electrode/C60‐catalase detection system exhibited linear responses to the concentration of hydrogen peroxide and amount of immobilized C60‐catalase enzyme that was used. The effects of pH and temperature on the activity of the immobilized C60‐catalase enzyme were also investigated. Optimum pH at 7.0 and optimum temperature at 25 °C for activity of the insoluble immobilized C60‐catalase enzyme were found. The immobilized C60‐catalase enzyme could be reused with good repeatability of the activity. The lifetime of the immobilized C60‐catalase enzyme was long enough with an activity of 93% after 95 days. The immobilized C60‐catalase enzyme was also applied in determining glucose which was oxidized with glucose oxidase resulting in producing hydrogen peroxide, followed by detecting hydrogen peroxide with the oxygen electrode/C60‐catalase detection system.