Apoferritin protein nanoparticles dually labeled with aptamer and horseradish peroxidase as a sensing probe for thrombin detection

A novel and ultrasensitive sandwich-type electrochemical aptasensor has been developed for the detection of thrombin, based on dual signal-amplification using HRP and apoferritin. Core/shell Fe₃O₄/Au magnetic nanoparticles (AuMNPs) loading aptamer1 (Apt1) was used as recognition elements, and apoferritin dually labeled with Aptamer2 (Apt2) and HRP was used as a detection probe. Sandwich-type complex, Apt1/thrombin/Apt2–apoferritin NPs–HRP was formed by the affinity reactions between AuMNPs–Apt1, thrombin, and Apt2–apoferritin–HRP. The complex was anchored on a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE). Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was used to monitor the electrode response. The proposed aptasensor yielded a linear current response to thrombin concentrations over a broad range of 0.5–100 pM with a detection limit of 0.07 pM (S/N = 3). The detection signal was amplified by using apoferritin and HRP. This nanoparticle-based aptasensor offers a new method for rapid, sensitive, selective, and inexpensive quantification of thrombin, and offers a promising potential in protein detection and disease diagnosis.     

Separation/Concentration‐signal‐amplification in‐One Method Based on Electrochemical Conversion of Magnetic Nanoparticles for Electrochemical Biosensing

We propose a separation/concentration‐signal‐amplification in‐one method based on electrochemical conversion (ECC) of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) to develop a facile and sensitive electrochemical biosensor for chloramphenicol (CAP) detection. Briefly, aptamer‐modified magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs‐Apt) was designed to capture CAP in sample, then the MNPs‐Apt composite was conjugated to Au electrode through the DNA hybridization between the unoccupied aptamer and a strand of complementary DNA. The ECC method was applied to transfer MNPs labels to electrochemically active Prussian blue (PB). The anodic and cathodic currents of PB were taken for signal readout. Comparing with conventional methods that require electrochemically active labels and related sophisticated labelling procedures, this method explored and integrated the magnetic and electrochemical properties of MNPs into one system, in turn realized magnetic capturing of CAP and signal generation without any additional conventional labels. Taking advantages of the high abundance of iron content in MNPs and the refreshing effect deriving from ECC process, the method significantly promoted the signal amplification. Therefore, the proposed biosensors exhibited linear detection range from 1 to 1000 ng mL⁻¹ and a limit of detection down to 1 ng mL⁻¹, which was better than or comparable with those of most analogues, as well as satisfactory specificity, storage stability and feasibility for real samples. The developed method may lead to new concept for rapid and facile biosensing in food safety, clinic diagnose/therapy and environmental monitoring fields.     

MXene–AuNP-Based Electrochemical Aptasensor for Ultra-Sensitive Detection of Chloramphenicol in Honey

A simple and label-free electrochemical aptasensor was developed for ultra-sensitive determination of chloramphenicol (CAP) based on a 2D transition of metal carbides (MXene) loaded with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The embedded AuNPs not only inhibit the aggregation of MXene sheets, but also improve the quantity of active sites and electronic conductivity. The aptamers (Apts) were able to immobilize on the MXene–AuNP modified electrode surface through Au–S interaction. Upon specifically binding with CAP with high affinity, the CAP–Apt complexes produced low conductivity on the aptasensor surface, leading to a decreased electrochemical signal. The resulting current change was quantitatively correlated with CAP concentration. Under optimized experimental conditions, the constructed aptasensor exhibited a good linear relationship within a wide range of 0.0001–10 nM and with a low detection limit of 0.03 pM for CAP. Moreover, the developed aptasensor has been applied to the determination of CAP concentration in honey samples with satisfactory results.     

Electrochemical aptamer based assay for the neonicotinoid insecticide acetamiprid based on the use of an unmodified gold electrode

The authors report on an aptamer-based electrochemical assay for the insecticide acetamiprid. It is based on the target-induced release of the redox probe Methylene Blue (MB) from the dsDNA formed between aptamer and complementary strand (Apt/CS), exonuclease I (Exo I) and silica nanoparticles coated with streptavidin (SiNP-Streptavidin). MB is detected electrochemically using an unmodified gold electrode. In the presence of acetamiprid, MB is released from the Apt/CS dsDNA and accumulated in the close environment of the gold electrode. This results in a strong electrochemical signal for MB at fairly low working voltage of typically ?0.27 V. In the absence of target, however, the SiNP-streptavidin conjugate modified MB-dsDNA remains intact. Hence, the electrochemical signal remains weak. The method displays high selectivity for acetamiprid and a limit of detection as low as 153 pM. The assay was successfully applied to the determination of acetamiprid in (spiked) water and serum samples, with LODs of 161 and 209 pM, respectively.

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Graphical abstract Schematic illustration of acetamiprid detection based on electrochemical assay. In the absence of acetamiprid, MB-dsDNA-modified SiNP-Streptavidin complex is intact and redox probe (MB) does not exist in the environment of electrode, resulting in a weak electrochemical signal (a). In the presence of target, Apt binds to acetamiprid and CS and MB leave the SiNP-Streptavidin. Exo I digests CS. So, a huge amount of MB is present in the environment of electrode and a strong electrochemical signal is observed (b).

     

A signal amplification by QDs used for ferrocene-labeled sandwich aptasensor for determination of Hg2+ in water samples

In this paper, the design of a novel sandwich-type electrochemical aptasensor was reported for an ultrasensitive mercury ion (Hg²⁺) detection in water samples, which labeled with two-labeled aptamer (Apt) sequences. The used Apts were Apt1 and Apt2 as the capture and signal probe, respectively. The Apt1 probe was immobilized on the poly(4-aminobenzoic acid) (p-ABA) and quantum dots (QDs) film as the platform, as well as the Apt2 reporter was labeled with ferrocene. In the presence of Hg²⁺, the strong coordination complex has been formed between the specific thymine of the Apt1, Hg²⁺, as well as the thymine of the Apt as T–Hg²⁺–T adduct. The QDs and p-ABA were applied for increasing the conductivity of platform and suitable binding of the recognition elements. Under the optimized conditions, the constructed aptasensor illustrated either a wide linear relationship between the logarithm of Hg²⁺ concentration and current, from 0.05 to 100 nM and also an excellent low limit of detection of 0.01 nM. The quality of carefully choosing, an excellent stability and specificity sensitivity of the designed aptasensor, was investigated by spiked tap water samples as real sample. Moreover, the aptasensor exhibits the good reproducibility as well as has high selectivity for the other cations. The recoveries of the Hg²⁺ assay of the tap water samples were acquired satisfactorily which imply the generated aptasensor can use Hg²⁺ measurement in the real laboratories.

     

A glassy carbon electrode with electrodeposited silver nanoparticles for aptamer based voltammetric determination of trinitrotoluene using riboflavin as a redox probe

An electrochemical nanoaptasensor is described that is based on the use of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with electrodeposited silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). An aptamer (Apt) against trinitrotoluene (TNT) was then immobilized on the AgNPs. The addition of TNT to the modified GCE leads to decrease in peak current (typically measured at a potential of ?0.45 V vs. Ag/AgCl) of riboflavin which acts as an electrochemical probe. Even small changes in the surface (as induced by binding of Apt to TNT) alter the interfacial properties. As a result, the LOD is lowered to 33 aM, and the dynamic range extends from 0.1 fM to 10 μM without sacrificing specificity.

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Graphical abstract Schematic presentation of a nanoaptasensor which is based on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with electrodeposited silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and aptamer (Apt). It was applied to the detection of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) with the help of riboflavin (RF) as a redox probe.

     

Amperometric aptasensing of chloramphenicol at a glassy carbon electrode modified with a nanocomposite consisting of graphene and silver nanoparticles

A nanocomposite prepared from reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is used in an electrochemical aptasensor for the sensitive and selective determination of the antibiotic chloramphenicol (CAP). The nanocomposite was obtained by electrostatic assembly of AgNPs on the surface of polyelectrolyte-functionalized rGO and then used to modify a glassy carbon electrode. The biosensor is then obtained by immobilizing the aptamer against CAP. When incubated with solutions of CAP, the sensor surface is loaded with CAP due to aptamer recognition. The captured CAP can be electrochemically reduced to yield a current that is strongly enhanced as a result of the excellent electrocatalysis property of the graphene/AgNP-nanocomposite. Under optimum conditions, the calibration plot is linear in the 0.01 to 35 μM concentration range, with a 2 nM detection limit (at 3σ). The sensor is reproducible, stable, selective over homologous interferents, and performs excellently when analyzing CAP in milk samples.

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Graphical Abstract A graphene/silver nanoparticle-based electrochemical aptasensor is designed for the selective determination of the antibiotic chloramphenicol (CAP). The excellent electrocatalytic reduction of CAP specifically captured onto the electrode surface enables the sensitive electrochemical signal transduction of the biosensor by linear sweep voltammetry (LSV).

     

聚苯胺分子印迹膜电化学传感器检测氯霉素

以苯胺为功能单体和交联剂,氯霉素(chloramphenicol,CAP)为模板分子,采用电化学聚合法(循环伏安法)在金电极上合成了对CAP具有快速响应能力的聚苯胺分子印迹膜;结合差示脉冲伏安法建立了针对氯霉素的检测方法,并将所制备的聚苯胺分子印迹膜用作电化学传感器以测定氯霉素眼药水中的氯霉素.结果表明,所制备的聚苯胺分子印迹膜具有制备简单、响应快速、灵敏度高、再生性能良好等特点;其对氯霉素眼药水中的氯霉素的检测结果令人满意,有望用于实际样品中氯霉素的检测.     

Biotin-avidin-conjugated metal sulfide nanoclusters for simultaneous electrochemical immunoassay of tetracycline and chloramphenicol

We report on a protocol for a simultaneous competitive immunoassay for tetracycline (TC) and chloramphenicol (CAP) on the same sensing interface. Conjugates of TC and of CAP with bovine serum albumin were first co-immobilized on a glassy carbon electrode modified with gold nanoparticles. In parallel, monoclonal anti-TC and anti-CAP antibodies were conjugated onto CdS and PbS nanoclusters, respectively. In a typical assay, the immobilized haptens and the added target analytes competed for binding to the corresponding antibodies on the nanoclusters. Subsequently, Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions are released from the surface of the corresponding nanoclusters by treatment with acid and then were detected by square wave anodic stripping voltammetry. The currents at the peak potentials for Cd(II) and Pb(II) were used as the sensor signal for TC and CAP, respectively. This multiplex immunoassay enables the simultaneous determination of TC and CAP in a single run with dynamic ranges from 0.01 to 50 ng mL^?1 for both analytes. The detection limits for TC and for CAP are 7.5 pg mL^?1 and 5.4 pg mL^?1, respectively. No obvious nonspecific adsorption and cross-reactivity was observed in a series of analyses. Intra-assay and inter-assay coefficients of variation were less than 10 %. The method was evaluated by analyzing TC and CAP in spiked samples of milk and honey. The recoveries range from 88 % to 107 % for TC, and from 91 % to 119 % for CAP.

Emerging trends in miniaturized and microfluidic electrochemical sensing platforms

Electrochemical sensing has established a strong presence in diverse areas. The conventional electrochemical sensing approach consumes large sample volumes and reagents and requires bulky potentiostat, macro-electrodes, and other equipment. The synergistic integration of electrochemical sensing systems with miniaturized or microfluidic electrochemical devices and microelectrodes in a single platform provides rapid analysis with a disposable, reusable, and cost-effective platform for multiplexed point-of-care detections. Such microdevices have created scope for using several materials as electrodes and sensing platforms by using appropriate fabrication techniques. One of the most recent advancements in miniaturized devices includes the integration of automation and Internet of Things to realize fully automated and robust electrochemical microdevices. The review summarizes the emerging trends in fabrication methods of miniaturized and microfluidic devices, their multiple applications in real-time, integration of Internet of Things, automation, identifying research gaps with strategies for bridging these gaps, future outlook, and recent approaches to intelligent electrochemical sensing.     

非标记纳米银探针催化共振散射光谱检测痕量ATP

在pH 7.8 Tris-HCl缓冲液中, 三磷酸腺苷(adenosine triphosphate, ATP)的核酸适体(Apt 1)与其互补链(Apt 2)结合生成双链DNA (double-strand DNA, dsDNA). 此dsDNA不能稳定纳米银(AgNP), NaCl可致AgNP聚集, 在500 nm波长处产生一个较强的共振散射峰. 加入ATP后, ATP与dsDNA中的Apt 1结合形成较稳定的发夹结构结合物并释放出可稳定AgNP的Apt 2. 随着ATP浓度(16.5～1650 nmol/L)增加, 生成的Apt 2增加, 被Apt 2稳定的AgNP即AgNP-Apt 2结合物增加, 聚集的AgNP减少, 500 nm处的共振散射值线性减小. 该适配体反应中的AgNP-Apt 2对葡萄糖-铜(II)微粒反应具有较强的催化作用, 其产物氧化亚铜微粒在610 nm处有一较强共振散射峰. 随着ATP浓度增大, 反应液中AgNP-Apt 2增多, 催化作用增强, 610 nm处的共振散射峰增强. ATP浓度在4.95～165 nmol/L范围内与共振散射增大值ΔI_{610 nm}呈线性关系, 检出限为1.8 nmol/L ATP. 据此建立了灵敏度高、选择性好、简便快速检测ATP的共振散射光谱新方法.     

活性炭二次活化对其电化学容量的影响

为进一步提高作为电化学超级电容器电极材料活性炭的电化学容量, 采用KOH作为二次活性剂, 将所得活性炭进行二次化学活化处理, 从而得到二次活化活性炭. 将原始活性炭材料与二次活化活性炭材料都分别经过系列处理, 组装成电化学超级电容器进行电化学性能测试. 测试结果表明, 二次活化活性炭材料的电化学容量达到145.0 F·g-1(有机电解液), 远远大于原活性炭材料的容量(45.0 F·g-1). 为研究二次活化活性炭材料电化学容量大幅提高的原因, 将这两种材料分别进行微观结构数据测试, 包括比表面积、N2吸脱附等温曲线和孔径分布. 研究结果表明, 二次活化处理大大增加了二次活化活性炭材料在孔径为2-3 nm的中孔分布, 从而证实对于有机电解液, 电极材料在2-3 nm的中孔对其电化学容量的提高具有重要意义.     

Selective collection and detection of MCF-7 breast cancer cells using aptamer-functionalized magnetic beads and quantum dots based nano-bio-probes

A novel strategy for selective collection and detection of breast cancer cells (MCF-7) based on aptamer–cell interaction was developed. Mucin 1 protein (MUC1) aptamer (Apt1) was covalently conjugated to magnetic beads to capture MCF-7 cell through affinity interaction between Apt1 and MUC1 protein that overexpressed on the surface of MCF-7 cells. Meanwhile, a nano-bio-probe was constructed by coupling of nucleolin aptamer AS1411 (Apt2) to CdTe quantum dots (QDs) which were homogeneously coated on the surfaces of monodispersed silica nanoparticles (SiO₂ NPs). The nano-bio-probe displayed similar optical and electrochemical performances to free CdTe QDs, and remained high affinity to nucleolin overexpressed cells through the interaction between AS1411 and nucleolin protein. Photoluminescence (PL) and square-wave voltammetric (SWV) assays were used to quantitatively detect MCF-7 cells. Improved selectivity was obtained by using these two aptamers together as recognition elements simultaneously, compared to using any single aptamer. Based on the signal amplification of QDs coated silica nanoparticles (QDs/SiO₂), the detection sensitivity was enhanced and a detection limit of 201 and 85 cells mL⁻¹ by PL and SWV method were achieved, respectively. The proposed strategy could be extended to detect other cells, and showed potential applications in cell imaging and drug delivery.     

导电聚合物的电化学制备和电化学性质研究——中国科学院有机固体重点实验室导电聚合物电化学研究工作简介(I)

简要介绍本研究组自上世纪80年代以来在导电聚合物的电化学制备和电化学性质研究中取得的一些主要成果,包括吡咯电化学聚合条件的影响、电化学聚合反应机理及其反应动力学、导电聚吡咯的两种掺杂结构及其两步电化学氧化还原过程和电化学过氧化的机理、导电聚苯胺的电化学性质、导电聚合物稳定性的电化学解释等等.     

Influence of cation (NH 4 + ) on electrochemical characteristics of MnO2 nanowire synthesized by hydrothermal method

Nanowires of MnO₂ were prepared by a simple method in which the commercial granular -MnO₂ powders were hydrothermally treated in water or ammonia solution at 150 °C. These 1D nanostructured manganese oxides were characterized physically by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy tests. Cyclic voltammetry and constant current discharge experiments were employed to explore the diversity of electrochemical performances; and the reasons for the difference are discussed. The experimental results indicate that the existence of NH₄⁺ in the preparation solution has depressed the electrochemical performances of the final product; This is further confirmed by the electrochemical impedance spectra of the electrodes.     

Colorimetric determination of thrombin by exploiting a triple enzyme-mimetic activity and dual-aptamer strategy

The article describes a colorimetric assay for the determination of thrombin. It is based on the application of a triple enzyme-mimetic activity and a dual aptamer binding strategy. The triple signal amplification relies on oxidation of the chromogenic enzyme substrate 3,3,5,5-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) that is catalyzed by composites consisting of graphene oxide (GO), gold/platinum nanoparticles (AuPtNP), and aptamer (Apt15), a G-quadruplex/hemin conjugate. The dual-aptamer target binding strategy is based on the fact that thrombin has two active sites to be recognized by its aptamers (Apt15 and Apt29). Magnetic beads (MBs) were modified with Apt29 (Apt29-MB) and then are bound by the GO-AuPtNP-Apt15/G-quadruplex/hemin composites. In the presence of thrombin, Apt29-MB and the GO-AuPtNP-Apt15/G-quadruplex/hemin composites form a sandwich-like superstructure. Thus, the absorbance increases due to the formation of TMB oxide produced by catalysis of the composites. Under optimized conditions, the absorbance at 450 nm increases linearly in the 0.30 to 100 nM thrombin concentration range, and the limit of detection is 0.15 nM. The method is simple, rapid, and does not require complicated instrumentation. Bovine serum albumin, human serum albumin and other proteins were found not to interfere.

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Graphical abstract Schematic presentation of the photometric thrombin assay based on a triple enzyme-mimetic activity of combined nanomaterials (consisting of GO, AuPtNPs and the G-quadruplex/hemin DNAzyme) and two aptamers TMB: 3,3,5,5-tetramethylbenzidine, TMB_ox: 3,3,5,5-tetramethylbenzidine oxide, AuPtNP: gold/platinum nanoparticles).

     

Ca vs. Ba electrochemical detection by two disubstituted ferrocenyl chalcone chemosensors. Study of the ligand-metal interactions in CH3CN

We show here that the disubstituted ferrocenyl chalcones 1 and 2 are good electrochemical sensors for calcium and barium in CH₃CN. However, these two triflate salts are detected in a different way by both ligands. To clarify this point, a thorough and informative NMR study of the ligand-salt interactions is presented. The unusual shapes of the titration curves obtained depend on both the ligand and cation used. For example, they illustrate that ligand 1 mainly interacts with the metal by its CO functions, while ligand 2 also interacts by its azacrown groups. These curves also reflect complex equilibriums in solution involving several ligand-salt adducts detected by mass spectrometry. To evaluate the strength of these interactions, the association constants of all the species formed have been determined by fitting the NMR data. It is noteworthy that changing the diethylamino groups in molecule 1 by the azacrown residue enhances the selectivity for the calcium salt, as pointed out by the value of the association constant of the 2Ca²⁺ species. The synthesis of the protonated counterparts 3 and 4 was useful to clarify the electrochemical behaviour of 1 and 2. Although the two ligand-salt interactions present several common points, the whole results obtained allow us to propose an original explanation for the difference observed between the Ca²⁺ and Ba²⁺ electrochemical sensing.     

Study of the Electrochemical Behavior of Biodiesel Microemulsion

Microemulsions have become a widely employed technique for the control of biodiesel quality but are still poorly understood as regard to their electrochemical behavior. In this work, we report the fundamental importance associated with the knowledge of electrochemical behavior of microemulsions composed of water in the presence of a supporting electrolyte, soybean biodiesel and propan‐1‐ol as consolute, along with the ferrocyanide–ferricyanide redox system applied as probe. The voltammetric results showed that for different compositions of microemulsions, variation in peak currents and change in system reversibility as well as in the electron transfer process were clearly noted. Furthermore, through the study of the diffusion coefficient, three different types of microemulsions including Oil/Water, Bicontinuous, and Water/Oil were successfully identified. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies were also carried out aiming at obtaining more information regarding the electrode/solution interface. All the studies performed demonstrated that different types of microemulsions were formed upon exerting a direct influence on the electrochemical behavior of the redox probe. These results, in essence, point to the possibility of choosing a more suitable and advantageous microemulsion type for the development of an analytical method, as in the case, for example, of the microemulsions ME‐2 and ME‐3 which presented high voltammetric response in redox probe oxidation.     

混合金属氧化物阳极在海水中的电化学性能

采用热分解方法制备钛基混合金属氧化物阳极 ,用扫描电镜对阳极涂层显微形貌进行了分析 ,并通过实海模拟试验考察了混合金属氧化物阳极在海水阴极保护系统中的使用性能 .SEM分析结果表明 ,混合金属氧化物阳极涂层呈多孔多裂纹的显微结构 ,与其它阳极材料相比 ,此种阳极具有更大的活性表面积 .电化学试验结果表明 ,混合金属氧化物阳极在海水中具有良好的电化学稳定性和电化学活性 ;此外 ,混合金属氧化物阳极在海水中的消耗率很低 ,属于不溶性的阳极材料 ,作为外加电流阴极保护的辅助阳极具有广泛的应用前景