A rapid method for determining Mycobacterium tuberculosis based on a bulk acoustic wave impedance biosensor

The bulk acoustic wave impedance biosensor was set up and used to monitor the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.TB). This sensor is rapid, simple, sensitive (lower limit is 2×10³ cells ml⁻¹) and cheap (easy to generalize). The typical response curve was different from other bacteria's, such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus mirabilis. The frequency detection time was used to quantitatively determine M.TB. It was proportional to logarithm of the initial concentration of M.TB in the range of 2×10³-3×10⁷ cells ml⁻¹. The set up sensor was applied to the direct diagnosis of M.TB samples. The interference of other bacteria was eliminated by pretreatment. Our results confirmed that the use of the set up biosensor was reliable, sensitive. It gives out the potential use for determining M.TB.     

Poly(cytosine)‐templated Silver Nanoclusters as Fluorescent Biosensor for Highly Sensitive Detection of Uric Acid

Uric acid (UA) is an important biomarker in urine and serum samples for early diagnosis. This study re‐ ports a fluorescent biosensor based on Poly(cytosine)‐templated silver nanoclusters (C‐Ag NCs) and uricase for the highly sensitive and fast detection of UA. The strong fluorescence of the C‐Ag NCs prepared from poly (cytosine) nucleotides templates could be sensitively quenched by trace amount of H₂O₂, which produced from oxidation reaction of UA catalyzed by uricase. This biosensor exhibits two linear ranges as 50 nM～50 μM and 50 μM～400 μM, with a detection limit of 50 nM. The sensitivity of the biosensor is considerably improved compared with the methods reported in the literature. Furthermore, the detection ability of uric acid in serum samples is confirmed and this C‐Ag NCs‐based uric acid biosensor shows good promise of practical application.     

Analysis of Strychnos alkaloids in traditional Chinese medicines with improved sensitivity by sweeping micellar electrokinetic chromatography

A new amperometric method was developed for rapid detection of Escherichia coli (E. coli) density using a bienzyme biosensor. The bienzyme biosensor was fabricated based on the covalent immobilization of laccase and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) at indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode by (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES) monolayer. The bienzyme biosensor showed a high sensitivity in determination of the polyphenolic compounds, which was microbially generated from the salicylic acid (SA) added into the culture medium during the course of E. coli metabolism. Since the amount of polyphenolic compounds depends on E. coli density, the bienzyme biosensor was applied for the rapid and high sensitive detection of E. coli density after the E. coli solution was incubated in culture medium with salicylic acid for 2.5 h at 37 °C. By chronoamperometry, the amplified response current was obtained at the bienzyme biosensor, due to the substrate recycling of the polyphenolic compounds driven by bienzyme-catalyzed oxidation and electrochemical reduction. The amplified response current at the biosensor was linear with the E. coli density ranging from 1.6 × 10³ to 1.0 × 10⁷ cells/mL. The bienzyme biosensor could detect the E. coli density with a detection limit of 9.7 × 10² cells/mL within 3 h.     

Electrochemical genosensor for detection of human mammaglobin in polymerase chain reaction amplification products of breast cancer patients

Human mammaglobin (MG) has been found to be the most specific molecular marker for the hematogenous spread of breast cancer cells. In our study, an electrochemical impedance spectroscopic DNA biosensor was established for the detection of MG in breast cancer patients. The working conditions for the biosensor, such as immobilization time, rinse process, and hybridization process, were optimized. Under the optimal conditions, the charge transfer resistance of the proposed DNA biosensor shows excellent correlation with the amount of the complementary oligonucleotides in the range from 1.0?×?10^?9 to 2.0?×?10^?8?M. The detection limit is 5.0?×?10^?10?M. The proposed biosensor was used to detect the polymerase chain reaction amplification products of actual clinical breast cancer samples. The results were compared with that obtained by conventional gel electrophoresis. The results indicate that the electrochemical impedance spectroscopic assay is significantly sensitive and time-saving. The simple strategy described here is expected to be used in clinical application for early diagnosis of breast cancer.

A Au nanoparticle and polydopamine co-modified biosensor: A strategy for in situ and label-free surface plasmon resonance immunoassays

This article reports a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) strategy capable of label-free yet amplified in situ immunoassays for sensitive and specific detection of human IgG (hIgG), a serum marker that is important for the diagnosis of certain diseases. Primarily, a wavelength-modulated Kretschman configuration SPR analyzer was constructed, and Au film SPR biosensor chips were fabricated. Specifically, based on Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) adsorbed on the surface of the Au film, the AuNP/Au film was coated with polydopamine (PDA) to fix streptavidin (SA), and then the biotinylated antibodies were connected to the surface of the biosensor chip. The SPR analyzer was utilized for in situ real-time monitoring of hIgG. Due to the immunological recognition between the receptor and target, the surface plasmon waves produced by the attenuated total reflection were affected by the changes in the surface of the biosensor chip. The resonance wavelength (λ_R) of the output spectra gradually redshifted, and the redshift degrees were directly related to the target concentration. The biosensor can realize the in situ detection of hIgG, displaying satisfactory sensitivity, excellent specificity and stability. Briefly, by monitoring the shift in λ_R after specific binding, a new SPR immunoassay can be customized for label-free, in situ and amplified hIgG detection. The operating principle of this research could be extended as a common protocol for many other targets of interest.     

Electrochemiluminescence biosensor for the assay of small molecule and protein based on bifunctional aptamer and chemiluminescent functionalized gold nanoparticles

An electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensor for simultaneous detection of adenosine and thrombin in one sample based on bifunctional aptamer and N-(aminobutyl)-N-(ethylisoluminol) functionalized gold nanoparticles (ABEI-AuNPs) was developed. A streptavidin coated gold nanoparticles modified electrode was utilized to immobilize biotinylated bifunctional aptamer (ATA), which consisted of adenosine and thrombin aptamer. The ATA performed as recognition element of capture probe. For adenosine detection, ABEI-AuNPs labeled hybridization probe with a partial complementary sequence of ATA reacted with ATA, leading to a strong ECL response of N-(aminobutyl)-N-(ethylisoluminol) enriched on ABEI-AuNPs. After recognition of adenosine, the hybridization probe was displaced by adenosine and ECL signal declined. The decrease of ECL signal was in proportion to the concentration of adenosine over the range of 5.0 × 10⁻¹²–5.0 × 10⁻⁹ M with a detection limit of 2.2 × 10⁻¹² M. For thrombin detection, thrombin was assembled on ATA modified electrode via aptamer–target recognition, another aptamer of thrombin tagged with ABEI-AuNPs was bounded to another reactive site of thrombin, producing ECL signals. The ECL intensity was linearly with the concentration of thrombin from 5 × 10⁻¹⁴ M to 5 × 10⁻¹⁰ M with a detection limit of 1.2 × 10⁻¹⁴ M. In the ECL biosensor, adenosine and thrombin can be detected when they coexisted in one sample and a multi-analytes assay was established. The sensitivity of the present biosensor is superior to most available aptasensors for adenosine and thrombin. The biosensor also showed good selectivity towards the targets. Being challenged in real plasma sample, the biosensor was confirmed to be a good prospect for multi-analytes assay of small molecules and proteins in biological samples.     

Whole-cell Gluconobacter oxydans biosensor for 2-phenylethanol biooxidation monitoring

A microbial biosensor for 2-phenylethanol (2-PE) based on the bacteria Gluconobacter oxydans was developed and applied in monitoring of a biotechnological process. The cells of G. oxydans were immobilized within a disposable polyelectrolyte complex gel membrane consisting of sodium alginate, cellulose sulphate and poly(methylene-co-guanidine) attached onto a miniaturized Clark oxygen electrode, forming whole cell amperometric biosensor. Measured changes in oxygen concentration were proportional to changes in 2-PE concentration. The biosensor sensitivity was 864 nA mM⁻¹ (RSD = 6%), a detection limit of 1 μM, and the biosensor response towards 2-PE was linear in the range 0.02–0.70 mM. The biosensor preserved 93% of its initial sensitivity after 7 h of continuous operation and exhibited excellent storage stability with loss of only 6% of initial sensitivity within two months, when stored at 4 °C. The developed system was designed and successfully used for an off-line monitoring of whole course of 2-PE biooxidation process producing phenylacetic acid (PA) as industrially valuable aromatic compound. The biosensor measurement did not require the use of hazardous organic solvent. The biosensor response to 2-PE was not affected by interferences from PA and phenylacetaldehyde at concentrations present in real samples during the biotransformation and the results were in a very good agreement with those obtained via gas chromatography.     

A colloidal suspension of nanostructured poly(N-butyl benzimidazole)-graphene sheets with high oxidase yield for analytical glucose and choline detections

A colloidal suspension of nanostructured poly(N-butyl benzimidazole)-graphene sheets (PBBIns-Gs) was used to modify a gold electrode to form a three-dimensional PBBIns-Gs/Au electrode that was sensitive to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in the presence of acetic acid (AcOH). The positively charged nanostructured poly(N-butyl benzimidazole) (PBBIns) separated the graphene sheets (Gs) and kept them suspended in an aqueous solution. Additionally, graphene sheets (Gs) formed “diaphragms” that intercalated Gs, which separated PBBIns to prevent tight packing and enhanced the surface area. The PBBIns-Gs/Au electrode exhibited superior sensitivity toward H₂O₂ relative to the PBBIns-modified Au (PBBIns/Au) electrode. Furthermore, a high yield of glucose oxidase (GOD) on the PBBIns-Gs of 52.3 mg GOD per 1 mg PBBIns-Gs was obtained from the electrostatic attraction between the positively charged PBBIns-Gs and negatively charged GOD. The non-destructive immobilization of GOD on the surface of the PBBIns-Gs (GOD-PBBIns-Gs) retained 91.5% and 39.2% of bioactivity, respectively, relative to free GOD for the colloidal suspension of the GOD-PBBIns-Gs and its modified Au (GOD-PBBIns-Gs/Au) electrode. Based on advantages including a negative working potential, high sensitivity toward H₂O₂, and non-destructive immobilization, the proposed glucose biosensor based on an GOD-PBBIns-Gs/Au electrode exhibited a fast response time (5.6 s), broad detection range (10 μM to 10 mM), high sensitivity (143.5 μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻²) and selectivity, and excellent stability. Finally, a choline biosensor was developed by dipping a PBBIns-Gs/Au electrode into a choline oxidase (ChOx) solution for enzyme loading. The choline biosensor had a linear range of 0.1 μM to 0.83 mM, sensitivity of 494.9 μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻², and detection limit of 0.02 μM. The results of glucose and choline measurement indicate that the PBBIns-Gs/Au electrode provides a useful platform for the development of oxidase-based biosensors.     

Heterologous expression of the avirulence gene ACE1 from the fungal rice pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae

The ACE1 and RAP1 genes from the avirulence signalling gene cluster of the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae were expressed in Aspergillus oryzae and M. oryzae itself. Expression of ACE1 alone produced a polyenyl pyrone (magnaporthepyrone), which is regioselectively epoxidised and hydrolysed to give different diols, 6 and 7, in the two host organisms. Analysis of the three introns present in ACE1 determined that A. oryzae does not process intron 2 correctly, while M. oryzae processes all introns correctly in both appressoria and mycelia. Co-expression of ACE1 and RAP1 in A. oryzae produced an amide 8 which is similar to the PKS-NRPS derived backbone of the cytochalasans. Biological testing on rice leaves showed that neither the diols 6 and 7, nor amide 8 was responsible for the observed ACE1 mediated avirulence, however, gene cluster analysis suggests that the true avirulence signalling compound may be a tyrosine-derived cytochalasan compound.     

A Ti3C2TX/Pt–Pd based amperometric biosensor for sensitive cancer biomarker detection

The detection of cancer biomarkers is of great significance for the early screening of cancer. Detecting the content of sarcosine in blood or urine has been considered to provide a basis for the diagnosis of prostate cancer. However, it still lacks simple, high-precision and wide-ranging sarcosine detection methods. In this work, a Ti₃C₂T_X/Pt–Pd nanocomposite with high stability and excellent electrochemical performance has been synthesized by a facile one-step alcohol reduction and then used on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with sarcosine oxidase (SO_x) to form a sarcosine biosensor (GCE/Ti₃C₂T_X/Pt–Pd/SO_x). The prominent electrocatalytic activity and biocompatibility of Ti₃C₂T_X/Pt–Pd enable the SO_x to be highly active and sensitive to sarcosine. Under the optimized conditions, the prepared biosensor has a wide linear detection range to sarcosine from 1 to 1000 µM with a low limit of detection of 0.16 µM (S/N = 3) and a sensitivity of 84.1 µA/mM cm². Besides, the reliable response in serum samples shows its potential in the early diagnosis of prostate cancer. More importantly, the successful construction and application of the amperometric biosensor based on Ti₃C₂T_X/Pt–Pd will provide a meaningful reference for detecting other cancer biomarkers.     

An immunoaffinity tandem mass spectrometry (iMALDI) assay for detection of Francisella tularensis

Francisella tularensis (F. tularensis) has been designated by the CDC as 1 of the 10 organisms most likely to be engineered for bioterrorism. Symptoms of tularemia in humans are non-specific, thus making the disease difficult to diagnose. If not quickly diagnosed and treated, the disease has a high mortality rate - thus methods for early and specific diagnosis are of critical importance.This immunoaffinity MALDI MS/MS (iMALDI) assay provides unambiguous detection of F. tularensis peptides at attomole levels from peptide solutions, and at low CFU levels from bacteria. The addition of stable-labeled versions of the peptide as internal standards allows absolute quantitation of F. tularensis peptides with a linear dynamic range spanning two orders of magnitude. The ability of mass spectrometry to obtain amino acid sequence data on affinity-captured peptides provides absolute specificity and avoids “false positives” from the non-specific binding. The F. tularensis iMALDI assay has been applied to different samples, such as nasal swabs.This novel quantitative diagnostic F. tularensis iMALDI assay allows the safe, sensitive, and specific detection of F. tularensis. The assay can be easily adapted to other target peptides and therefore has broad application potential in clinical diagnosis of other pathogens and diseases.     

An enzyme biosensor based on beta-galactosidase inhibition for electrochemical detection of cadmium (II) and chromium (VI)

The focus of this article is the development and optimisation of a simple, sensitive, selective biosensor for the detection of heavy metals, through inhibition of β-galactosidase (β-gal) from Aspergillus oryzae after its immobilisation on an electrochemical transducer by cross-linking with glutaraldehyde. The inhibition of β-gal by Cd(II) and Cr(VI) was demonstrated by the decrease of β-gal activity monitored by the conductometric signal. Under optimal conditions, the developed voltammetric and impedimetric biosensor, based on the specific interaction of metallic ions with beta-galactosidase that increases the electron transfer of the redox probe, presented a wide range of linearity. Detection limits of 3.12 × 10^–10 M (91.7 ng/L) were obtained, using both techniques, for Cr(VI). For Cd(II) detection limits were 2.85 × 10^–8 M (6.95 µg/L) using EIS and 3.22 × 10^–11 M (7.61 ng/L) using square wave voltammetry (SWV).     

Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence Ethanol Biosensor Based on Carbon Nanotube‐Titania‐Nafion Composite Film

Mesoporous titania‐Nafion composite doped with carbon nanotube (CNT) has been used for the immobilization of tris(2,2′‐bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)₃²⁺) and alcohol dehydrogenase on an electrode surface to yield a highly sensitive and stable electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) ethanol biosensor. The presence of CNT in the composite film increases not only the sensitivity of the ECL biosensor but also the long‐term stability of the biosensor. The present biosensor responds linearly to ethanol in the wide concentration ranges from 1.0×10^?5 M to 1.0×10^?1 M with a detection limit of 5.0×10^?6 M (S/N=3). The present ECL ethanol biosensor exhibited higher ECL response compared to that obtained with the ECL biosensor based on the corresponding composite without CNT. The present CNT‐based ECL biosensor showed good long‐term stability with 75% of its initial activity retained after 2 weeks of storage in 50 mM phosphate buffer at pH 7.0.     

Amperometric choline biosensors prepared by layer-by-layer deposition of choline oxidase on the Prussian blue-modified platinum electrode

An amperometric choline biosensor was developed by immobilizing choline oxidase (ChOx) in a layer-by-layer (LBL) multilayer film on a platinum (Pt) electrode modified with Prussian blue (PB). 6-O-Ethoxytrimethylammoniochitosan chloride (EACC) was used to prepare the ChOx LBL films. The choline biosensor was used at 0.0 V versus Ag/AgCl to detect choline and exhibited good characteristics such as relative low detection limit (5 × 10⁻⁷ M), short response time (within 10 s), high sensitivity (88.6 μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻²) and a good selectivity. The results were explained based on the ultrathin nature of the LBL films and the low operating potential that could be due to the efficient catalytic reduction of H₂O₂ by PB. In addition, the effects of pH, temperature and applied potential on the amperometric response of choline biosensor were evaluated. The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant was found to be (0.083 ± 0.001) ×10⁻³ M. The biosensor showed excellent long-term storage stability, which originates from a strong adsorption of ChOx in the EACC multilayer film. When the present choline biosensor was applied to the analysis of phosphatidylcholine in serum samples, the measurement values agreed satisfactorily with those by a hospital method.     

Development of Silver Nanowires Based Highly Sensitive Amperometric Glucose Biosensor

The fabrication of a highly sensitive amperometric glucose biosensor based on silver nanowires (AgNWs) is presented. The electrochemical behavior of glassy carbon electrode modified by Ag NWs exhibits remarkable catalytic performance towards hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and glucose detection. The biosensor could detect glucose in the linear range from 0.005 mM to 10 mM, with a detection limit of 50 µM (S/N=3). The glucose biosensor shows high and reproducible sensitivity of 175.49 µA cm^?2 mM and good stability. In addition, the biosensor exhibits a good anti‐interference ability and favorable stability over relatively long‐term storage (more than 21 days).     

Electrogenerated chemiluminescence biosensing for the detection of prostate PC-3 cancer cells incorporating antibody as capture probe and ruthenium complex-labelled wheat germ agglutinin as signal probe

A highly selective and sensitive electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) biosensor for the detection of prostate PC-3 cancer cells was designed using a prostate specific antibody as a capture probe and ruthenium complex-labelled wheat germ agglutinin as a signal probe. The ECL biosensor was fabricated by covalently immobilising the capture probe on a graphene oxide-coated glassy carbon electrode. Target PC-3 cells were selectively captured on the surface of the biosensor, and then, the signal probe was bound with the captured PC-3 cells to form a sandwich. In the presence of tripropylamine, the ECL intensity of the sandwich biosensor was logarithmically directly proportion to the concentration of PC-3 cells over a range from 7.0 × 10² to 3.0 × 10⁴ cells mL⁻¹, with a detection limit of 2.6 × 10² cells mL⁻¹. The ECL biosensor was also applied to detect prostate specific antigen with a detection limit of 0.1 ng mL⁻¹. The high selectivity of the biosensor was demonstrated in comparison with that of a lectin-based biosensor. The strategy developed in this study may be a promising approach and could be extended to the design of ECL biosensors for highly sensitive and selective detection of other cancer-related cells or cancer biomarkers using different probes.     

Amperometric Tyrosinase Biosensor Based on Carbon Nanotube–Titania–Nafion Composite Film

A highly sensitive and stable amperometric tyrosinase biosensor has been developed based on multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) dispersed in mesoporous composite films of sol–gel‐derived titania and perfluorosulfonated ionomer (Nafion). Tyrosinase was immobilized within a thin film of MWCNT–titania–Nafion composite film coated on a glassy carbon electrode. Phenolic compounds were determined by the direct reduction of biocatalytically‐liberated quinone species at ?100 mV versus Ag/AgCl (3 M NaCl) without a mediator. The present tyrosinase biosensor showed good analytical performances in terms of response time, sensitivity, and stability compared to those obtained with other biosensors based on different sol–gel matrices. Due to the large pore size of the MWCNT–titania–Nafion composite, the present biosensor showed remarkably fast response time with less than 3 s. The present biosensor responds linearly to phenol from 1.0×10^?7 M to 5.0×10^?5 M with an excellent sensitivity of 417 mA/M and a detection limit of 9.5×10^?8 M (S/N=3). The enzyme electrode retained 89% of its initial activity after 2 weeks of storage in 50 mM phosphate buffer at pH 7.0.     

A label-free electrochemical biosensor based on a DNA aptamer against codeine

In order to develop a sensor for opium alkaloid codeine detection, DNA aptamers against codeine were generated by SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment) technique. An aptamer HL7-14, which is a 37-mer sequence with K_d values of 0.91 μM, was optimized by the truncation-mutation assay. The specificity investigation shows that HL7-14 exhibits high specificity to codeine over morphine, and almost cannot bind to other small molecule. With this new selected aptamer, a novel electrochemical label-free codeine aptamer biosensor based on Au-mesoporous silica nanoparticles (Au-MSN) as immobilized substrate has been proposed using [Fe(CN)₆]^3−/4− as electroactive redox probe. The linear range covered from 10 pM to 100 nM with correlation coefficient of 0.9979 and the detection limit was 3 pM. Our study demonstrates that the biosensor has good specificity, stability and well regeneration. It can be used to detect codeine.     

Graphene Oxide-Sensitized Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensor of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus

Biosensor analysis based on the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) phenomenon enables label-free, highly sensitive analyte detection without prior sample purification or processing. However, potential applications of SPR biosensors in virus detection in biological samples remain to be explored. Owing to its excellent biocompatibility and abundance of hydroxyl and carboxyl functional groups, graphene oxide (GO) has been widely used as a biosensor of proteins and metal ions in living cells. The present work explored the effect of GO modification on the sensitivity of an SPR biosensor and used a GO-modified sensor to detect porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in cell culture, as shown. The GO modification markedly enhanced the sensitivity of the Fourier transform SPR sensor and enabled linear detection of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) with a multiplicity of infection in the range 0.2–1.7 (R² = 0.998). Such a GO-modified sensor provides a promising alternative for virus detection.     

Quenching Action of Monofunctional Sulfur Mustard on Chlorophyll Fluorescence: Towards an Ultrasensitive Biosensor

An ultrasensitive fluorimetric biosensor for the detection of chemical warfare agent sulfur mustard (SM) was developed using its monofunctional analogue. SM is a vesicant and a potent chemical threat owing to its direct toxic effects on eyes, lungs, skin and DNA. This work investigates the quenching action of the analyte on chlorophyll fluorescence as elucidated by nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometry studies suggesting the electrophilic attack of carbonium ion on nitrogens of the porphyrin moiety of chlorophyll. The properties of immobilisation matrix were optimised and scanning electron microscope observations confirmed improvement in pore size of sol–gels by addition of 32 % (v/v) glycerol, a feature enabling enhanced sensitivity towards the analyte. Chlorophyll embedded sol–gel was treated with increasing concentrations of monofunctional SM and the corresponding drop in maximum fluorescence intensity as measured by emission at 673 nm was observed, which varied linearly and had a detection limit of 7.68?×?10^?16 M. The biosensor was found to be 6 orders of magnitude more sensitive than the glass microfibre-based disc biosensor previously reported by us.