Stabilized Lipid Membrane Based Biosensors with Incorporated Enzyme for Repetitive Uses

This work reports a technique for the stabilization of lipid membrane based biosensors with incorporated enzyme that retains its activity for repetitive uses. Microporous filters composed of glass fibers were used as supports for the stabilization of these sensors. The lipid film is formed on the filter by polymerization using UV (ultraviolet) radiation prior its use. Methacrylic acid was the functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate was the crosslinker and 2,2′‐azobis‐(2‐methylpropionitrile) was the initiator. The enzyme (acetylcholinesterase) is incorporated within this mixture prior to polymerization. The polymerization process takes place by using UV irradiation instead of heating at 60 °C the lipid mixture because this temperature might denature the enzyme. This method for preparation of stabilized lipid membranes was investigated using Raman spectroscopy. The results have indicated that the kinetics of polymerization are completed within 4 hours. The retain in activity of the enzyme was studied using electrochemical experiments which have shown that this mild technique of polymerization can now be used to incorporate a protein in these lipid membranes without loss of their activity. This will allow the practical use of the techniques for chemical sensing based on lipid membranes based biosensors and commercialization of these devices.     

Biosensor for dopamine based on stabilized lipid films with incorporated resorcin[4]arene receptor

This work reports a technique for the stabilization after storage in air of a lipid film with incorporated resorcin[4]arene receptor based biosensor for dopamine. Microporous filters composed of glass fibers (nominal pore sizes, 0.7 and 1.0 microm) were used as supports for the formation and stabilization of these devices and the lipid film is formed on the filter by polymerization prior its use. Methacrylic acid was the functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate was the crosslinker and 2,2'-azobis-(2-methylpropionitrile) was the initiator. The stability of the lipid films by incorporation of a receptor for the preparation of stabilized lipid film biosensor is studied throughout this work. The response towards dopamine of the present stabilized for repetitive uses lipid membrane biosensor composed of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine and dipalmitoyl phosphatidic acid was compared with planar freely suspended bilayer lipid membranes (BLMs). The stabilized lipid membranes provided similar artificial ion gating events as BLMs in the form of transient signals and can function for repetitive uses after storage in air. However, the response of the stabilized lipid films was slower than that of the freely suspended BLMs. This will allow the practical use of the techniques for chemical sensing based on lipid films and commercialization of these devices, because it is now possible to prepare stabilized lipid film based biosensors and store them in the air.     

Biosensors for the Rapid Repetitive Detection of Adrenaline Using Stabilized Bilayer Lipid Membranes (BLMs) with Incorporated Calix[4]resorcinarene Receptor

This work uses lipid film based biosensors with incorporated calix[4]resorcinarene receptor (lipophilic macrocyclic host molecule) for the rapid electrochemical detection of adrenaline. Freely‐suspended and metal supported BLMs (composed of egg phosphatidylcholine (PC) and 35% (w/w) dipalmitoyl phosphatidic acid) modified with the resorcin[4]arene receptor were used as one shot sensors to rapidly detect this catecholamine. The interactions of this compound with freely‐suspended BLMs were found to be electrochemically transduced in the form of a transient current signal with duration of seconds, which reproducibly appeared about 14 s after exposure of the membranes to adrenaline. The response time for these BLMs without incorporated receptor for adrenaline was about 1.5 min. The magnitude of the transient current signal was related to the concentration of adrenaline in bulk solution in the micromolar range. Differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) experiments were performed to explore the mechanism of interactions of BLMs with incorporated receptor with adrenaline. The interactions of adrenaline with surface‐stabilized bilayer lipid membranes (sBLMs) with incorporated receptor produced electrochemical ion current increases, which reproducibly appeared within a few seconds after exposure of the membranes to the stimulant. The use of the receptor in sBLMs increased the sensitivity of the method 6‐fold. The current signal increases were related to the concentration of adrenaline in bulk solution in the micromolar range. Stabilized lipid membranes formed by polymerization on glass fiber microfilters were used as practical chemical biosensors for the rapid detection of adrenaline. The interactions of polymerized lipid films with adrenaline were also found to provide transient current signals similar to those of freely‐suspended BLMs. The magnitude of the transient current signal was also related to the concentration of the stimulating agent in bulk solution in the micromolar range and these stabilized lipid films can be used again after storage in air. No interferences from ascorbic acid were noticed because of the negatively charged lipids in membranes. The effect of other compounds such as proteins and other compounds closely related to adrenaline was also investigated. Results of recovery experiments using human urine have shown recoveries ranged between 94 to 105%, which shows no interferences from matrix effects due to the presence of urine constituents. The present sensor based on stabilized lipid films can be used for the rapid repetitive detection of this pharmaceutical substance and keep prospects for the selective determination of catecholamines in biofluids.     

Rapid Electrochemical Detection of Propranolol and Metoprolol in Pharmaceutical Preparations Using Stabilized Lipid Films

This work reports a technique for the rapid electrochemical detection of propranolol and metoprolol in pharmaceutical preparations using stabilized lipid films. Microporous filters composed of glass fibers (nominal pore sizes 0.7 and 1.0 μm) were used as supports for the formation and stabilization of these devices. The lipid film is formed on the filter by polymerization prior to its use. This stabilized after storage in air. Lipid films composed of phosphatidylcholine were used for the detection of propranolol and metoprolol in pharmaceutical preparations. The stabilized lipid membranes provided artificial ion gating events in the form of transient signals within about 60 and 34 s after exposure of the membranes to propranolol and metoprolol, respectively. The magnitude of the transient current signal was related to the concentration of propranolol and metoprolol in bulk solution in the micromolar range. The mechanism of signal generation was investigated by differential scanning calorimetric studies. These studies revealed that the adsorption of the drug is through the hydrophobic aryl terminal of the compound, whereas the hydrophilic groups were directed towards the electrolyte solution. This adsorption caused a rapid alteration of the electrochemical double layer of the lipid film (i.e., capacitance changes) that resulted in the transient ion current signal. The present technique was used for the rapid detection of propranolol and metoprolol in pharmaceutical preparations and can function for repetitive uses after storage in air. Future research is targeted to the determination of these chemicals in human biofluids such as urine of athletes.     

New CNT/poly(brilliant green) and CNT/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) based electrochemical enzyme biosensors

A combination of the electroactive polymer poly(brilliant green) (PBG) or conducting polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) with carbon nanotubes to obtain CNT/PBG and CNT/PEDOT modified carbon film electrodes (CFE) has been investigated as a new biosensor platform, incorporating the enzymes glucose oxidase (GOx) as test enzyme, alcohol oxidase (AlcOx) or alcohol dehydrogenase (AlcDH). The sensing parameters were optimized for all biosensors based on CNT/PBG/CFE, CNT/PEDOT/CFE platforms. Under optimized conditions, both GOx biosensors exhibited very similar sensitivities, while in the case of AlcOx and AlcDH biosensors, AlcOx/CNT/PBG/CFE was found to give a higher sensitivity and lower detection limit. The influence of dissolved O₂ on oxidase-biosensor performance was investigated and was shown to be different for each enzyme. Comparisons were made with similar reported biosensors, showing the advantages of the new biosensors, and excellent selectivity against potential interferents was successfully demonstrated. Finally, alcohol biosensors were successfully used for the determination of ethanol in alcoholic beverages.     

Construction of a simple optical sensor based on air stable lipid film with incorporated urease for the rapid detection of urea in milk

This work describes the construction of a simple optical sensor for the rapid, selective and sensitive detection of urea in milk using air stable lipid films with incorporated urease. The lipid film is stabilized on a glass filter by polymerization using UV (ultra-violet) radiation prior its use. Methacrylic acid was the functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate was the crosslinker and 2,2′-azobis-(2-methylpropionitrile) was the initiator. Urease is incorporated within this mixture prior to the polymerization. The presence of the enzyme in these films quenched this fluorescence and the colour became similar to that of the filters without the lipid films. A drop of aqueous solution of urea provided a “switching on” of the fluorescence which allows the rapid detection of this compound at the levels of 10⁻⁸ M concentrations. The investigation of the effect of potent interferences included a wide range of compounds usually found in foods and also of proteins and lipids. These lipid membranes were used for the rapid detection of urea in milk.     

Stabilized Lipid Films in Electrochemical Biosensors

Lipid membrane based electrochemical biosensors have been exploited for the last 40 years. However, a major obstacle that limited their applications and commercialization was their fragility. Recent advances in stabilization of lipid membranes have tremendously increased the number of publications in the last 5 years. The objective of the present article is to present procedures for the stabilization of lipid film biosensors and recent advances in their analytical uses. These novel devices are used as chemo‐ and biosensors for the quantification of environmental contaminants and food toxicants. Recent research is directed to the construction of a portable mini electrochemical device that will be commercialized and readily be used by non‐skilled personnel for in the field measurements.     

Reconstitution of rhodopsin into polymerizable planar supported lipid bilayers: influence of dienoyl monomer structure on photoactivation

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play key roles in cellular signal transduction and many are pharmacologically important targets for drug discovery. GPCRs can be reconstituted in planar supported lipid bilayers (PSLBs) with retention of activity, which has led to development of GPCR-based biosensors and biochips. However, PSLBs composed of natural lipids lack the high stability desired for many technological applications. One strategy is to use synthetic lipid monomers that can be polymerized to form robust bilayers. A key question is how lipid polymerization affects GPCR structure and activity. Here we have investigated the photochemical activity of bovine rhodopsin (Rho), a model GPCR, reconstituted into PSLBs composed of lipids having one or two polymerizable dienoyl moieties located in different regions of the acyl chains. Plasmon waveguide resonance spectroscopy was used to compare the degree of Rho photoactivation in fluid and poly(lipid) PSLBs. The position of the dienoyl moiety was found to have a significant effect: polymerization near the glycerol backbone significantly attenuates Rho activity whereas polymerization near the acyl chain termini does not. Differences in cross-link density near the acyl chain termini also do not affect Rho activity. In unpolymerized PSLBs, an equimolar mixture of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine (PC) lipids enhances activity relative to pure PC; however after polymerization, the enhancement is eliminated which is attributed to stabilization of the membrane lamellar phase. These results should provide guidance for the design of robust lipid bilayers functionalized with transmembrane proteins for use in membrane-based biochips and biosensors.     

A portable sensor for the rapid detection of naphthalene acetic acid in fruits and vegetables using stabilized in air lipid films with incorporated auxin-binding protein 1 receptor

The present technique describes the development of a simple sensitive spot optical test and the construction of a portable biosensor for the rapid one-shot detection of naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) using stabilized lipid films supported on a methacrylate polymer on a glass fiber filter with incorporated auxin-binding protein 1 receptor. The lipid films without the receptor provided fluorescence under a UV lamp. The use of the receptor in these films quenched this fluorescence and the colour became similar to that of the filters without the lipid films. A drop of aqueous solution of naphthalene acetic acid provided a “switching on” of the fluorescence which allows the rapid detection of this stimulant at the levels of 10⁻⁹ M concentrations. It was also possible to have quantitative data based on a calibration graph. The effect of potent interferences included a wide range of compounds. The results showed no interferences from these compounds in concentration levels usually found in real samples. The method was applied for the determination of NAA in fruits and vegetables and the reproducibility of the method was checked in about 50 samples. A quantitative method for the detection of NAA in crops that can be complimentary to HPLC methods is provided in the present paper. These lipid films can be used as portable biosensors for the rapid one-shot detection of NAA in fruits and vegetables by non-skilled personnel in the field.     

Lifetime Improvement of Glucose Biosensor by Epoxy‐Enhanced PVC Membrane

A new approach using epoxy resin to enhance the durability and adhesion of a diffusion‐limiting membrane in amperometric biosensors is described. The polymer membrane was mainly composed of commercially available fast epoxy adhesive ATACS 5104, poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and plasticizers such as isopropyl myristate (IMP) and Aliquat 336 (AL). It can be readily deposited on various substrates by using coating and other thin film fabrication methods. The effect of epoxy resin in the membrane composition was investigated using a coil‐type glucose biosensor containing extra enzyme. The ideal membrane was found to include approximately 1/3 epoxy resin, 1/3 plasticizer and 1/3 PVC. Such a membrane was verified to be porous and permeable to small molecules like glucose and can tightly adhere to other beneath layers such as a Nafion membrane, which serves as the interference‐eliminating layer. These epoxy‐based glucose biosensors showed excellent electrochemical response properties including a long lifetime and can be used for microanalysis of solutions and biological fluids. With an additional PU outermost layer, the present glucose biosensors can potentially be used for in vivo measurements.     

Analysis of photoinitiated polymerization in a membrane mimetic film using infrared spectroscopy and near-IR Raman microscopy

A method has been developed to investigate the extent of polymer cross-linking that results following in situ photopolymerization of an acrylate-functionalized phospholipid assembly adsorbed onto a stabilized, membrane-mimetic film produced from a polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts. The acrylate phospholipid monomer was synthesized, prepared as a unilamellar vesicle, and fused onto closed-packed acyl chains that make up the PEM membrane-mimetic barrier on the PTFE graft. Both broad band white light and 514.5 nm laser radiation were used as excitation sources for photoinitiation; eosin Y was used as the photoinitiator. The use of 514.5 nm excitation reduced the time for maximum polymerization of the acrylate lipid from 60 min to 240 s. Infrared spectroscopy was successfully used to analyze the extent of photopolymerization in simplified model acrylate lipid systems; however, this method could not be used to analyze acrylate polymerization in heterogeneous, multicomponent PEM membrane-mimetic barriers on PTFE grafts. A near-infrared Raman microscopy method based on the ratio of the integrated areas of the CC and CN vibrations was shown to provide equivalent information to the IR method for analysis of the extent of polymerization efficiency in acrylate lipids. In addition, it proved feasible to extend this near-IR Raman method to the in situ analysis of the extent of polymerization in a stabilized acrylate lipid membrane on a PEM film in a PTFE vascular graft. This work describes a new approach for generating and analyzing the robustness of a membrane-mimetic coating on biomaterial surfaces, and may improve our ability to predict the long-term stability of polymeric membrane-mimetic films on implantable medical devices.     

Flow Injection Analysis of Mixtures of Dopamine,Adrenaline and Ephedrine in Human Biofluids Using Stabilized after Storage in Air Lipid Membranes with a Novel Incorporated Resorcin[4]arene Receptor

This work describes a technique for the rapid, selective and sensitive electrochemical flow injection analysis of mixtures of the stimulating compounds adrenaline, dopamine, and ephedrine using stabilized after storage in air bilayer lipid membranes (BLMs) with incorporated resorcin[4]arene receptor. Injections of the stimulating compounds were made into flowing streams of a carrier electrolyte solution and a transient current signal, with duration of seconds, reproducibly appeared in less than two min after exposure of the lipid membranes to the compounds. The magnitude of this signal was linearly related to the concentration of the compound, which could be determined at micromolar levels. Repetitive cycles of injection of stimulating compounds have shown no signal degradation during each cycle (30 sequential injections). The time of appearance of the transient response was different for each stimulating compound and increased in the order of adrenaline, dopamine and ephedrine. The difference in time of response has allowed selective detection and analysis of these compounds in mixtures. The investigation of the effect of potent interferences included a wide range of compounds usually found in human biofluids, as well as proteins and lipids. The results showed that only proteins (most common in lipid film based biosensors) pose a problem that can be eliminated by modulation of the carrier solution to flow rates that do not allow adsorption of these compounds in the lipid films. The technique was applied in human urine samples.     

Method Development and Validation for the Determination of Five Synthetic Food Colorants in Alcoholic Beverages by Reversed‐Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Diode‐Array Detector

Abstract

An accurate method based on the use of reversed‐phase high performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode‐array detection was devised for the determination of five synthetic food colorants added to alcoholic beverages with natural colors. A C18 stationary phase was used and the mobile phase contained methanol and 40 mM ammonium acetate buffer solution. The synthetic food colorants were detected at their corresponding individual characteristic maxima of absorbance wavelength. Successful separation was achieved within 11 min for all the analytes using an optimized gradient elution, column temperature, buffer concentration and flow rate. Accurate sample quantification was feasible using matrix‐matched calibration curves. The method was successfully validated by determination of linearity ranges, the limits of quantification and detection, precision and recovery for all colorants tested. The proposed and validated method was used to analyze some alcoholic beverage samples, consisting of eight red wines, six coolers, four aromatized spirits, five bitters, three cocktails and four liquors from different Chinese manufacturers. The results showed the bitters and red wines did not have synthetic colorants, but colorants were found in all the samples of other kinds of alcoholic beverages. No analyzed sample exceeded the limit established by Chinese legislation.     

Analytical Characteristics of Electrochemical Biosensor Using Pt‐Dispersed Graphene on Boron Doped Diamond Electrode

An electrochemical biosensor was developed using Pt‐nanoparticles (Pt‐NPs) dispersed graphene based on a boron‐doped diamond thin film electrode. To compare its performances with those of other biosensors, glucose was used as a target analyte. This biosensor exhibited a wide linear range, a low detection limit and a higher sensitivity compared to other amperometric biosensors using graphene‐based electrodes. In addition, the biosensor promotes a direct electron transfer between the redox enzymes and the electrode surface and detects low concentration analytes. The excellent performance of the biosensor is attributed to the synergistic effect of the Pt‐NPs, graphene sheet and the BDD thin film. Therefore, it can be a promising application for electrochemical detection of analytes.     

Polyaniline‐Based Sensor Material for Potentiometric Determination of Ascorbic Acid

Polyaniline (PANI)‐based sensor material for determination of ascorbic acid was synthesized by oxidative chemical polymerization of aniline on a screen‐printed carbon‐paste electrode. The influence of PANI chemical structure formed under various polymerization conditions on the sensor response was investigated. The presence of aniline dimer derivatives in PANI structure was found to induce significant improvement of the limit of detection and the linear dynamic range without a change in sensitivity. The sensor prepared by aniline polymerization in pH 7 buffer leading to the product containing mainly the aniline dimer‐based units showed the best detection limit of 0.1 µM. It was shown that the PANI‐based sensor could be used for ascorbic acid analysis in the presence of citrate and lactate as interfering ions. A quantitative determination of ascorbic acid concentration in beverages and vitamins was performed.     

Performance of amperometric alcohol electrodes prepared by plasma polymerization technique

A single-layer alcohol electrode was prepared by plasma polymerization technique. Ethylenediamine was used to incorporate amino groups on tract-etched polycarbonate membranes in glow discharge reactor. In order to determine the plasma polymerization parameters (discharged power, monomer flow rate, exposure time) on membrane permeability, hydrogen peroxide was used as tracer. The single-layer alcohol electrode that was produced by 0.6% (w/v) of alcohol oxidase (AOx) solution on the polycarbonate membrane, which was modified at 30 W, 20 ml/min monomer flow rate and 15 min exposure time, was selected for optimum performance. Sensitivity, linearity and response time of that particular layer were 5.6 nA/mM, 2 mM and 50 s, respectively. The performance of the amperometric alcohol electrode was tested on commercial alcoholic beverages.     

Development of an Electrochemical Biosensor for the Rapid Detection of Saxitoxin Based on Air Stable Lipid Films with Incorporated Anti‐STX Using Graphene Electrodes

A miniaturized potentiometric saxitoxin sensor on graphene nanosheets with incorporated lipid films and Anti‐STX, the natural saxitoxin receptor, immobilized on the stabilized lipid films is described in the present paper. An adequate selectivity for detection over a wide range of toxin concentrations, fast response time of ca. 5–20 min, and detection limit of 1 nM have been achieved. The proposed sensor is easy to construct and exhibits good reproducibility, reusability, selectivity, long shelf life and high sensitivity of ca. 60 mV/decade of toxin concentration. The method was implemented and evaluated in lake water and shellfish samples. This novel ultrathin film technology is currently adapted to the rapid detection of other toxins that could be used in bioterrorism.     

DNA-based biosensors with external Nafion and chitosan membranes for the evaluation of the antioxidant activity of beer,coffee, and tea

Novel electrochemical DNA-based biosensors with outer-sphere Nafion and chitosan protective membranes were prepared for the evaluation of antioxidant properties of beverages (beer, coffee, and black tea) against prooxidant hydroxyl radicals. A carbon working electrode of a screen-printed three-electrode assembly was modified using a layer-by-layer deposition technique with low molecular weight double-stranded DNA and a Nafion or chitosan film. The membrane-covered DNA biosensors were initially tested with respect to their voltammetric and impedimetric response after the incubation of the beverage and the medium exchange for the solution of the redox indicator [Fe(CN)₆]^3?/4?. While the Nafion-protected biosensor proved to be suitable for beer and black tea extracts, the chitosan-protected biosensor was successfully used in a coffee extract. Afterwards, the applicability was successfully verified for these biosensors for the detection of a deep degradation of the surface-attached DNA at the incubation in the cleavage agent (hydroxyl radicals generated via Fenton reaction) and for the evaluation of antioxidant properties of coffee and black tea extracts against prooxidant hydroxyl radicals. The investigation of the novel biosensors with a protective membrane represents a significant contribution to the field of electrochemical DNA biosensors utilization.      

Rhodopsin reconstituted into a planar-supported lipid bilayer retains photoactivity after cross-linking polymerization of lipid monomers

Transmembrane proteins (TMPs), particularly ion channels and receptors, play key roles in transport and signal transduction. Many of these proteins are pharmacologically important and therefore targets for drug discovery. TMPs can be reconstituted in planar-supported lipid bilayers (PSLBs), which has led to development of TMP-based biosensors and biochips. However, PSLBs composed of natural lipids lack the high stability desired for many technological applications. One strategy is to use synthetic lipid monomers that can be polymerized to form robust bilayers. A key question is how lipid polymerization affects TMP structure and activity. In this study, we have examined the effects of UV polymerization of bis-Sorbylphosphatidylcholine (bis-SorbPC) on the photoactivation of reconstituted bovine rhodopsin (Rho), a model G-protein-coupled receptor. Plasmon-waveguide resonance spectroscopy (PWR) was used to compare the degree of Rho incorporation and activation in fluid and poly(lipid) PSLBs. The results show that reconstitution of Rho into a supported lipid bilayer composed only of bis-SorbPC, followed by photoinduced lipid cross-linking, does not measurably diminish protein function.     

A Nitrite Biosensor Based on the Direct Electron Transfer of Hemoglobin Immobilized on Carboxyl‐Functionalized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes/Polyimide Composite

The high electrically conductive carboxyl‐functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (COOH‐MWCNTs) were used to combine with nonconducting polyimide (PI) to generate a PI/COOH‐MWCNTs membrane. PI served as a matrix to entrap COOH‐MWCNTs and hemoglobin (Hb). COOH‐MWCNTs can improve the conductivity of the composite. The direct electrochemistry measurement indicated that the PI/COOH‐MWCNTs composite enhanced the immobilization of Hb significantly. Besides, the Hb/PI/COOH‐MWCNTs/GCE biosensor possessed excellent electrocatalytic activity for the detection of nitrite. Therefore, PI is a good matrix for Hb immobilization and it has application in sensor construction. This work is promising in the development of sensitive biosensors based on PI/COOH‐MWCNTs composite film.