Cadmium sulfide nanocluster-based electrochemical stripping detection of DNA hybridization

A novel, sensitive electrochemical DNA hybridization detection assay, using cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanoclusters as the oligonucleotide labeling tag, is described. The assay relies on the hybridization of the target DNA with the CdS nanocluster oligonucleotide DNA probe, followed by the dissolution of the CdS nanoclusters anchored on the hybrids and the indirect determination of the dissolved cadmium ions by sensitive anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) at a mercury-coated glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The results showed that only a complementary sequence could form a double-stranded dsDNA-CdS with the DNA probe and give an obvious electrochemical response. A three-base mismatch sequence and non-complementary sequence had negligible response. The combination of the large number of cadmium ions released from each dsDNA hybrid with the remarkable sensitivity of the electrochemical stripping analysis for cadmium at mercury-film GCE allows detection at levels as low as 0.2 pmol L(-1) of the complementary sequence of DNA.     

The sequential injection system with adsorptive stripping voltammetric detection

Two sequential injection systems have been developed for adsorptive stripping voltammetric measurement. One is for substances adsorbing at mercury, e.g. riboflavin. In this case, a simple arrangement with only sample aspiration is needed. Reproducibility was 3% and detection limit 0.07 μM. The measuring system was applied to determination of riboflavin in vitamin pills and to study the photodegradation process of riboflavin in aqueous solutions. In the second case, metal ions were determined. They have to be complexed before deposition on the mercury surface. Thus, both the sample and the ligand have to be aspirated in the system. In this case, the reproducibility was ≈6% and the detection limit <0.1 ppm for cadmium, lead and copper when complexation with oxine was used. Dimethylglyoxime was used in determination of nickel and cobalt and nioxime complexes were used in determination of nickel and copper. With these complexing agents, the reproducibility was the same as with oxine, but the metals could be determined at concentrations lower than 0.01 ppm. Application of two ligands in a SIA system with AdSV detection was also studied. Simultaneous determination of copper, lead, cadmium and cobalt was possible by using oxine and dimethylglyoxime. Copper and nickel were simultaneously determined by using dimethylglyoxime and nioxime.     

DNA hybridization detection at heated electrodes

The detection of DNA hybridization is of central importance to the diagnosis and treatment of genetic diseases. Due to cost limitations, small and easy-to-handle testing devices are required. Electrochemical detection is a promising alternative to evaluation of chip data with optical readout. Independent of the actual readout principle, the hybridization process still takes a lot of time, hampering daily use of these techniques, especially in hospitals or doctor's surgery. Here we describe how direct local electrical heating of a DNA-probe-modified gold electrode affects the surface hybridization process dramatically. We obtained a 140-fold increase of alternating current voltammetric signals for 20-base ferrocene-labeled target strands when elevating the electrode temperature during hybridization from 3 to 48 degrees C while leaving the bulk electrolyte at 3 degrees C. At optimum conditions, a target concentration of 500 pmol/L could be detected. Electrothermal regeneration of the immobilized DNA-probe strands allowed repetitive use of the same probe-modified electrode. The surface coverage of DNA probes, monitored by chronocoulometry of hexaammineruthenium(III), was almost constant upon heating to 70 degrees C. However, the hybridization ability of the probe self-assembled monolayer declined irreversibly when using a 70 degrees C hybridization temperature. Coupling of heated electrodes and highly sensitive electrochemical DNA hybridization detection methods should enhance detection limits of the latter significantly.     

Square-wave cathodic stripping voltammetric analysis of RDX using mercury-film plated glassy carbon electrode

A mercury film (MF) is prepared by an electrochemical deposition on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE), and employed for an analysis of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) using square-wave stripping voltammetry (SWSV). RDX was deposited at -0.15 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) for 120 s, then reduced at -0.7 V on the MF coated GCE(MFGCE). Optimal experimental conditions were searched and reported for the analysis. Two linear concentration ranges were observed: one in a lower RDX concentration range of 0.2-10 mg l(-1) and the other in a higher RDX concentration range of 10.0-100.0 mg l(-1) with a 120 s of pre-concentration time. At RDX concentrations of 2 and 8 mg l(-1), the relative standard deviations in measured concentrations (n=16) were 9.79 and 0.49%, respectively. The detection limit found to be 0.12 mg l(-1) with the 120 s accumulation time. The method was applied to determine RDX in several soil samples that yielded a relative error of 1% in the concentrations.     

The cathodic stripping voltammetric determination of traces of iodide with a hanging copper amalgam drop electrode

A hanging copper amalgam drop electrode (HCADE) is used for the determination of traces of iodide by cathodic stripping voltammetry. The cathodic stripping peak of copper(I) iodide from the HCADE is better defined than that of mercury(I) iodide from a hanging mercury drop electrode. Optimum conditions and interferences are reported. With a 3-min deposition time at ?0.1 V vs. SCE, the calibration plot is linear up to 2 × 10^?6 mol dm^?3 iodide. The detection limit for iodide with the HCADE under voltammetric conditions is 4 × 10^?8 mol dm^?3; this is lowered to 8 × 10^?9 mol dm^?3 by using the differential pulse stripping technique.     

Electrochemical stripping detection of DNA hybridization based on cadmium sulfide nanoparticle tags

We report on the detection of DNA hybridization in connection to cadmium sulfide nanoparticle tracers and electrochemical stripping measurements of the cadmium. A nanoparticle-promoted cadmium precipitation is used to enlarge the nanoparticle tag and amplify the stripping DNA hybridization signal. In addition to measurements of the dissolved cadmium ion we demonstrate solid-state measurements following a ‘magnetic’ collection of the magnetic-bead/DNA-hybrid/CdS-tracer assembly onto a thick-film electrode transducer. The new protocol combines the amplification features of nanoparticle/polynucleotides assemblies and highly sensitive stripping potentiometric detection of cadmium, with an effective magnetic isolation of the duplex. The low detection limit (100 fmol) is coupled to good reproducibility (RSD=6%). Prospects for using binary inorganic colloids for multi-target detection are discussed.     

Square-wave adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetric determination of anti-inflammatory indomethacin drug in tablets and human serum at a mercury electrode

Indomethacin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug possessing anti-pyretic and analgesic properties. A fully validated square-wave adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetric procedure is described for determination of indomethacin. The procedure was based on the reduction of the C=O double bond of the drug molecule in Britton-Robinson buffer (pH 4) after its preconcentration onto the mercury electrode surface. The optimized conditions of the procedure were: frequency 120 Hz, scan increment 10 mV, pulse amplitude 50 mV, preconcentration potential -0.9 V (vs. Ag/AgCl/KCl(s)) and preconcentration time 90 s. The proposed procedure was successfully applied for determination of the drug in tablets and human serum with good recoveries. The limits of detection in bulk form and human serum were 6.7 x 10(-10) mol L(-1) and 8.1 x 10(-10) mol L(-1), respectively.     

Fast cathodic stripping analysis with ultramicroelectrodes

Hemispherical ultramicroelectrodes (2.5–12.5 μm in radius) fabricated from silver or amalgamated copper, gold or platinum were used in the cathodic stripping of various anions. A comparison is presented between the results obtained using electrodes of a conventional size at slow sweep rates (ca. 100 mV s^?1) and those obtained using ultramicroelectrodes under fast linear-sweep conditions (ca. 700 V s^?1). Problems in maintaining reproducible electrode surfaces under various experimental conditions are discussed. In addition, the benefit of using electrodes of microscopic dimensions is illustrated by their utilization in the analysis of very small volumes of analyte that result from a solvent back-extraction process.     

Pulsed voltammetric stripping at the thin-film mercury electrode

A computer-controlled data acquisition system was used to generate comparative data for thin-film anodic stripping voltammetry with staircase, differential pulse and squarewave waveforms. Each waveform was tested for its sensitivity and speed of analysis. The square-wave form is the most sensitive, whether square wave or differential pulse measurements are used. This waveform offers the advantages of fast analysis time and discrimination against charging currents.     

Cathodic adsorptive stripping voltammetric detection of tRNA by labelling with osmium tetroxide

This communication reports about adsorptive stripping voltammetric determination of baker’s yeast tRNA that was modified with the complex osmium tetroxide bipyridine. The uracil and cytosine bases are able to react with [OsO₄(bipy)] within 2 h. We observed a 42-fold higher sensitivity for the catalytic Os-peak on the hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) compared with an [OsO₄(bipy)]-modified 20-base ssDNA. We found a 0.27 μg/l detection limit for [OsO₄(bipy)]-tRNA. A linear calibration function was observed up to 3 μg/l. The effect of accumulation potential was very small. These findings possibly indicate a strong adsorption on the HMDE. Such labelling of tRNA with [OsO₄(bipy)] holds great promise for future biosensor application regarding the detection of other RNA species.     

Detection of aniline at boron-doped diamond electrodes with cathodic stripping voltammetry

Boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrodes were used to investigate the possibility of detecting aniline by linear-sweep cathodic stripping voltammetry. It was found that the dimeric species (p-aminodiphenylamine and benzidine) formed by anodic oxidation of aniline during the accumulation period are involved in electrochemically reversible redox processes and, in acidic media, the shape of the stripping voltammetric response is suitable for aniline detection in the micromolar concentration range. The low background current of conductive diamond is an advantage compared to other electrode materials and allows a detection limit of 1 μM. Weak adsorption properties and the extreme electrochemical stability are additional advantages of BDD and it was found that, even after long-time measurements, the electrode surface can regain its initial activity by an anodic polarization in the potential region of water decomposition.     

Particle-based detection of DNA hybridization using electrochemical stripping measurements of an iron tracer

Two particle-based procedures for monitoring DNA hybridization based on electrochemical stripping detection of an iron tracer are described. The first protocol involves probes labeled with gold-coated iron core-shell nanoparticles, while the second route relies on detecting the iron content of magnetic-sphere tags. In both cases, the captured iron-containing particles are dissolved following the hybridization, and the released iron is quantified by cathodic-stripping voltammetry in the presence of the 1-nitroso-2-naphthol ligand and a bromate catalyst. Both protocols offer high sensitivity, a well-defined concentration dependence, and minimal contributions from non-complementary nucleic acids. The iron-containing particle signal amplifiers thus represent a very useful addition to the arsenal of metal tracers employed in electrical bioassays.     

Square-wave cathodic adsorptive stripping voltammetric determination of trace amounts of 2-mercaptobenzimidazole in water samples

A sensitive, simple and reproducible square-wave cathodic adsorptive stripping voltammetric method is developed for the determination of 2-mercaptobenzimidazole (MBIM) in different water samples using a static mercury drop electrode (SMDE) as a working electrode. The solution conditions and instrumental parameters were optimized for the determination of MBIM by square-wave cathodic adsorptive stripping voltammetry. This method is based on a sensitive adsorptive reduction peak of the MBIM at ?0.532 V vs. Ag/AgCl reference electrode in a Britton-Robinson buffer at pH 10.0. The linear concentration range was 20–600 ng ml^?1 when using 0.0 V as the accumulation potential. The detection limit of the method was calculated to be 8.41 ng ml^?1. The precision was excellent with relative standard deviations (n = 20) of 2.30%, 1.71%, 2.25% and 1.33% at MBIM concentrations of 40, 90, 200 and 500 ng ml^?1, respectively. The proposed voltammetric method is used for the determination of MBIM in different spiked water samples.     

Differential pulse cathodic stripping voltammetric speciation of trace level inorganic arsenic compounds in natural water samples

A simple, fast and sensitive speciation method is described for inorganic arsenic in water at the μg/l level, applicable in the laboratory and in the field, based on differential pulse cathodic stripping voltammetry (DPCSV). Only As(III) is deposited on a Hg electrode in the presence of Cu and Se in HCl medium. Determination of total As is performed by reducing As(V) to As(III) using sodium meta-bisulfite/sodium thiosulfate reagent stabilized with ascorbic acid. As(V) is quantified by difference. The detection limit (S/N>3) was 0.5 μg/l with a linear range from 4.5 to 180 μg/l. The relative standard deviation (n=6) was 2.4, 2.5, 4.2% for As(III) and 8.0, 6.8, 9.0% for As(V) at levels of 45, 10, and 5 μg/l, respectively. Analysis of the NIST 1640 natural water standard yielded total arsenic concentration 26.5±3.4 μg/l (n=3) compared to the certified value of 26.7 μg/l. Results obtained on several natural water samples analyzed both in the laboratory and on-site compared well with those obtained by HR ICP-MS, GFAAS and IC-AFS. Ions (phosphate, iron, manganese) commonly found in groundwater containing arsenic were found to have negligible interference.     

Adsorptive stripping voltammetric properties of fentanyl at Hg electrode

Cyclic voltammetry shows that in a supporting electrolyte of NaOH, fentanyl (FENT) has a pair of cathodic and anodic peaks at Hg electrode. The peak potentials, E(pc) and E(pa), are -1.47 and -1.44 V (vs. Ag/AgCl), respectively. Fentanyl can be adsorbed on Hg surface, so the cathodic peak shows adsorptive properties. The adsorptive characteristics of fentanyl are explored in detail with various methods. The adsorbed species is considered to be fentanyl neutral molecule. The method for measuring trace amount of fentanyl by adsorptive stripping voltammetry is established. Under the optimised condition, the detection limit may reach 5 x 10(-8)M with a 10-min preconcentration.     

Differential pulse cathodic stripping adsorption voltammetric determination of trace amounts of lead using factorial design for optimization

A sensitive cathodic stripping voltammetric method is developed for determination of lead(II), with adsorptive collection of complexes with Pyrogallol red (PGR) on to a hanging mercury drop electrode. After accumulation of the complex at −0.80 V vs. Ag/AgCl reference electrode, the potential is scanned in a negative direction from −0.20 to −0.50 V with differential pulse method. Then the reduction peak current for the lead(II)-PGR complex is measured at −0.39 V. The influence of reagent and instrumental variables was completely studied by factorial design analysis. The optimum analytical conditions for the determination of lead(II) were established. Under optimum conditions, lead(II) determined in the range of 0.1-30.0 ng ml⁻¹ with a limit of detection of 0.06 ng ml⁻¹. The method is successfully applied to determination of lead(II) in water sample.     

Manganese detection in marine sediments: anodic vs. cathodic stripping voltammetry

Three different electroanalytical techniques for the detection of manganese in marine sediments are evaluated. The anodic stripping voltammetry of manganese at an in situ bismuth-film-modified boron-doped diamond electrode and cathodic stripping voltammetry at a carbon paste electrode are shown to lack the required sensitivity and reproducibility whereas cathodic stripping voltammetry at a bare boron-doped diamond electrode is shown to be reliable and selective with a limit of detection, from applying a 60 s accumulation period of 7.4 × 10⁻⁷ M and a sensitivity of 0.24 A M⁻¹. The method was used to evaluate the manganese content of marine sediments taken from Šibenik, Croatia.     

Nanogold-penetrated poly(amidoamine) dendrimer for enzyme-free electrochemical immunoassay of cardiac biomarker using cathodic stripping voltammetric method

Methods based on immunoassays have been developed for cardiac biomarkers, but most involve the low sensitivity and are unsuitable for early disease diagnosis. Herein we design an electrochemical immunoassay for sensitive detection of myoglobin (a cardiac biomarker for acute myocardial infarction) by using nanogold-penetrated poly(amidoamine) dendrimer (AuNP-PAMAM) for signal amplification without the need of natural enzymes. The assay was carried out on the monoclonal mouse anti-myoglobin (capture) antibody-anchored glassy carbon electrode using polyclonal rabbit anti-myoglobin (detection) antibody-labeled AuNP-PAMAM as the signal tag. In the presence of target myoglobin, the sandwiched immunocomplex could be formed between capture antibody and detection antibody. Accompanying AuNP-PAMAM, the carried gold nanoparticles could be directly determined via stripping voltammetric method under acidic conditions. Under optimal conditions, the detectable electrochemical signal increased with the increasing target myoglobin in the sample within a dynamic working range from 0.01 to 500 ng mL⁻¹ with a detection limit of 3.8 pg mL⁻¹. The electrochemical immunoassay also exhibited high specificity and good precision toward target myoglobin. Importantly, our strategy could be applied for quantitative monitoring of myoglobin in human serum specimens, giving well matched results with those obtained from commercialized enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.     

Regeneration of poly-L-lysine modified carbon electrodes in the accumulation and cathodic stripping voltammetric determination of the cromoglycate anion

Cromoglycate is accumulated on a poly-l-lysine (PLL) modified carbon electrode best from pH 4 solution, where it is anionic and the PLL is cationic, and at which pH the cromoglycate gives a good reduction peak at −0.82 V. The PLL film can be regenerated readily by washing the electrode with 3 M sodium hydroxide solution, in which the PLL is deprotonated. Regeneration of the film is not required as frequently when larger amounts of PLL are incorporated into it. This allows standard addition procedures to be carried out without regenerating the electrode. Linear calibration graphs have been obtained typically in the range 0.1-1.5 μg ml⁻¹. Detection limits have been calculated to be 10 ng ml⁻¹. The standard addition method has been applied satisfactorily to diluted urine solutions.     

Anodic stripping voltammetric determination of vardenafil hydrochloride at pencil graphite electrode

In this paper, we present a very popular and low-cost sensor material as disposable pencil graphite electrode (PGE) system for the trace-level determination of vardenafil hydrochloride (VRL). Electrochemical behavior and determination of VRL was carried out by cyclic and square-wave adsorptive anodic stripping (SW-AdAS) voltammetry. The proposed method was highly sensitive and had a linear calibration range from 3 × 10^?10 to 1 × 10^?7 M with a correlation coefficient of 0.997. The limit of detection and limit of quantitation values were calculated as 1 × 10^?10 and 3 × 10^?10 M, respectively. Developed method with disposable PGE shows high sensitivity, selectivity and stability in a wide concentration range for VRL determination without the necessity of any modification. Additionally, this system was successfully applied in Levitra^® tablets and spiked human serum in trace level of VRL. Some kinetic parameters of VRL’s were represented for the first time. The results showed that the proposed method is highly sensitive, easy and low cost for trace-level determination of VRL.