Single-frequency impedance analysis of biofunctionalized dendrimer-encapsulated Pt nanoparticles-modified screen-printed electrode for biomolecular detection

We report the fabrication of polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer with 128 carboxyl group-encapsulated Pt nanoparticle-modified screen-printed carbon electrode, as an impedimetric biosensor, for the quantitative detection of human cardiac biomarker troponin-I (cTnI). PAMAM-Pt was electrochemically deposited over SPCE and its 128 terminal carboxyl groups were used as anchors for the site-specific biomolecular immobilization of protein antibody, anti-cTnI. The biosensor was characterized by contact angle measurements, transmission electron microscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, and electrochemical techniques. A single-frequency impedance analysis study was utilized for the biomolecular sensing by monitoring the changes in the phase angle obtained at an optimized frequency resulting from antigen-antibody interactions. An optimized frequency of 100 Hz was obtained at which maximum changes in the phase angle were observed after immunoreactions for a given concentration of analyte. A concentration-dependent increase in the phase angle of the biosensor was observed with increasing cTnI concentration in the range of 1 pg mL^?1 to 100 ng mL^?1. Based on the concentration response data, the dissociation constant was found to be 0.51 pM reflecting high affinity of biosensor towards cTnI analyte arising due to high anti-cTnI loading with a better probe orientation on the 3-dimensional PAMAM-Pt structure.     

Immunosensor for electrodetection of the C-reactive protein in serum

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated an association between the risk of cardiovascular events and increasing C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration. This paper reports the development of an immunosensor for the assessment of the cardiovascular process using anti-C-reactive protein antibody immobilized onto a gold-printed screen electrode. Positive and negative human sera were successfully evaluated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). EIS results show that, after the incubation with positive serum for myocardial infarction, the resistance increased about two times in relation to the negative serum. A linear range from 6.25 to 50 μg mL^?1 and detection limit of 0.78 μg mL^?1 using DPV were obtained. The immunosensor developed for the CRP detection using gold electrode revealed efficacy and a potential use for the diagnosis and monitoring of the progression of cardiovascular diseases.     

An convenient strategy for IgG electrochemical immunosensor: the platform of topological insulator materials Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>Se<Subscript>3</Subscript> and ionic liquid

A substantial outstanding challenge in diagnostics and disease monitoring is the ability to assay rapidly and conveniently for protein biomarkers within complex biological media. Bi₂Se₃, as an important topological insulator (TI) material, was synthesized by a solvothermal method and characterized structurally. Subsequently, the composite of Bi₂Se₃ and ionic liquid ([BMIm]BF₄ IL) was used as a sensing interface to cross-link goat anti-human immunoglobulin G (anti-IgG) via glutaraldehyde (GA) to fabricate an Bi₂Se₃/IL/GA/anti-IgG-carbon paste electrode (CPE). The nonspecific binding sites were enclosed with bovine serum albumin (BSA) to develop a label-free IgG immunosensor. The result showed that the proposed label-free IgG immunosensor exhibited high specificity with a detection limit of 0.8 ng mL^?1 and linear range from 2 to 300, and 300 to 2200 ng mL^?1. Besides, the immunosensor exhibited high specificity for IgG detection, acceptable reproducibility, and stability. Thus, the strategy reported here paved a simple way to design a sensitive and cost-effective sensing platform for extension to other disease biomarkers.     

A novel immunosensor for carcinoembryonic antigen based on poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) protected prussian blue nanoparticles and double-layer nanometer-sized gold particles

A highly sensitive amperometric immunosensor has been developed for the detection of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). It is based on (a) Prussian Blue nanoparticles coated with poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (P-PB) and (b) double-layer gold nanocrystals. The sensor was obtained by first electrodepositing porous gold nanocrystals on the glassy carbon electrode (GCE), and then by modifying the electrode with the coated P-PB. Subsequently, colloidal gold nanoparticles (nano-Au) were adsorbed onto the GCE by electrostatic interactions between the negatively charged nano-Au and the positively charged P-PB to immobilize CEA antibodies. Finally, bovine serum albumin was employed to block possible remaining active sites and to prevent the non-specific adsorption on the nano-Au. This immunosensor was characterized by cyclic voltammetry and scanning electron microscopy. The working range was adjusted to two concentration ranges, viz. from 0.5 to 10 ng.mL^?1, and from 10 to 120 ng.mL^?1 of CEA, with a detection limit of 0.2 ng.mL^?1 at three times the background noise.     

A Novel Electrochemical Immunosensor for Prostate-Specific Antigen Based on Noncovalent Nanocomposite of Ferrocene Monocarboxylic Acid with Graphene Oxide

A novel electrochemical immunosensor was developed for the determination of prostate-specific antigen based on immobilization of appropriate antibodies on gold nanoparticles and a poly-(2,6-pyridinediamine) modified electrode. The nanocomposite of ferrocene monocarboxylic acid hybridized graphene oxide was prepared by a π-π stacking interaction and was used as the electrochemical probe. A sandwich-type complex immunoassay was applied with polyclonal prostate-specific antigen antibodies labeled with the nanocomposite of ferrocene monocarboxylic acid hybridized graphene oxide. In order to improve the sensitivity, a potentiostatic method was used to reduce graphene oxide. Cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry were employed to characterize the assembly process and the performance of the immunosensor. Under optimal conditions, the peak current of the immunosensor increased with concentration, showing a linear relationship between the peak current and the logarithm of the prostate-specific antigen concentrations in a wide range of 2.0 pg mL^?1 to 10.0 ng mL^?1 with a low detection limit of 0.5 pg mL^?1. The immunosensor was used for the determination of prostate-specific antigen in serum.     

Ultrasensitive amperometric immunosensor for the determination of carcinoembryonic antigen based on a porous chitosan and gold nanoparticles functionalized interface

An immunosensor has been fabricated for direct amperometric determination of carcinoembryonic antigen. It is based on a biocompatible composite film composed of porous chitosan (pChit) and gold nanoparticles (GNPs). Firstly, a pChit film was formed on a glassy carbon electrode by means of electrodeposition. Then, thionine as a redox probe was immobilized on the pChit film modified electrode using glutaraldehyde as a cross-linker. Finally, GNPs were adsorbed on the electrode surface to assemble carcinoembryonic antibody (anti-CEA). The surface morphology of the pChit films was studied by means of a scanning electron microscope. The immunosensor was further characterized by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The electrochemical behaviors and factors influencing the performance of the resulting immunosensors were studied in detail. Results showed that the pChit films can enhance the surface coverage of antibodies and improve the sensitivity of the immunosensor. Under optimal conditions, the immunosensor was highly sensitive to CEA with a detection limit of 0.08 ng·mL^?1 at three times the background noise and linear ranges of 0.2～10.0 ng·mL^?1 and 10.0～160 ng·mL^?1. Moreover, the immunosensor exhibited high selectivity, good reproducibility and stability.     

Study on an immunosensor based on gold nanoparticles and a nano-calcium carbonate/Prussian blue modified glassy carbon electrode

An amperometric carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) immunosensor was fabricated based on Prussian blue (PB), nano-calcium carbonate (nano-CaCO₃) and nano-gold modified glassy carbon electrode. First, PB as a mediator was deposited on glassy carbon electrode to obtain a negatively charged surface. Then, positive nano-CaCO₃ was adsorbed on the PB modified electrode through electrostatic interaction. Subsequently, gold nanoparticles were deposited on the nano-CaCO₃/PB modified electrode. The use of two kinds of nanomaterials (nano-CaCO₃ and nano-gold) with good biocompatibility as immobilization matrixes not only provides a biocompatible surface for protein loading but also avoids the leaking of PB. The size of nano-CaCO₃ was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The factors influencing the performance of the immunosensor presented were studied in detail. Under the optimized conditions, cyclic voltammograms (CV) determination of CEA showed a specific response in two concentration ranges from 0.3 to 20 ng mL^?1 and from 20 to 100 ng mL^?1 with a detection limit of 0.1 ng mL^?1 at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The immunosensor presented exhibited high selectivity, sensitivity and good stability.     

Sandwich Immunoassay for Hepatitis C Virus Non-Structural 5A Protein Using a Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified with an Au-MoO3/Chitosan Nanocomposite

A novel electrochemical immunosensor was prepared for the detection of the hepatitis C virus non-structural 5A protein. A glassy carbon electrode was modified with an Au-MoO₃/Chitosan nanocomposite that warranted good conductivity and biocompatibility. Mesoporous silica with a large specific surface served as a nanocarrier for horseradish peroxidase and the polyclonal antibody as the reporter probe. The immunosensor was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. Following the sandwich-type immunoreaction, horseradish peroxidase was efficiently captured on the surface of the electrode to catalyze the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. The analytical signal was obtained as an amperometric i-t curve (chronoamperometry). The assay reported here had a wide detection range (1 ng mL^?1 ?50 µg mL^?1) and detection limit as low as 1 ng mL^?1 of hepatitis C virus non-structural 5A protein. The electrochemical biosensor experiments showed excellent reproducibility, high selectivity, and outstanding stability for the determination of hepatitis C virus non-structural 5A protein, and it was successfully applied to the detection of the analyte in real serum samples.     

The dual-modes of QCM immunosensing for estradiol analysis via dynamic or round-off calibration

In this work, a piezoelectric immunosensor is developed for the detection of estradiol (E₂). The gold-coated chip of quartz crystal microbalance was modified by a 3-mercaptopropionic acid self-assembly monolayer, activated by carbodiimide/n-hydroxylsuccinimide, and then to immobilise the E₂ antibody via the interaction with their amine groups. The resonance frequency change resulted by the binding of E₂ on immobilised antibody differs from that of a blank (ΔF), was correlated to the antigen concentration. The construction of the sensing interface was confirmed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Both round-off or dynamic modes were explored as analytical detection strategy in this work. Using round-off mode, the output ΔF responds to the concentration of E₂ with a detection limit of 0.04 μg mL^?1 and a linear range from 0.1 to 10 μg mL^?1. Meanwhile, using a dynamic mode, the presence of E₂ induced in a real-time sensing output along with the incubation of antigen. The slope of sensing output is in linear relation with the concentration of E₂ with a detection limit of 0.06 μg mL^?1. Thus, a faster immunesensing technique is established for rapid analysis requiring only several seconds other than the round-off mode which needs a complete incubation period for at least 60 min. This finding will greatly promote the applicability of immunosensor for rapid, real-time or in-site assays.     

An electrochemical immunosensor for the tumor marker α-fetoprotein using a glassy carbon electrode modified with a poly(5-formylindole), single-wall carbon nanotubes,and coated with gold nanoparticles and antibody

We report on a label-free electrochemical immunosensor for α-fetoprotein (α-FP). It is based on the use of a glassy carbon electrode that was first modified with conducting poly(5-formylindole) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (P5FIn/SWNTs), and then coated with gold nanoparticles and the respective antibody. The presence of aldehyde groups warrants direct immobilization of the antibody and results in a convenient method for fabricating of the immunosensor. Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) were deposited on the P5FIn/SWNTs composite material, and the modified electrode was applied to the detection of α-FP. The analytical signal is obtained by measuring the change of amperometric response at a typical working voltage of 100 mV before and after the immunoreaction. The detection limit is 200 fg mL^?1. The immunosensor is simple, sensitive, specific and reproducible. It has the potential for reliable point-of-care diagnosis of tumor or other diseases. Figure

A simple electrochemical immunosensor based on conducting poly(5-formylindole) and single-walled carbon nanotubes composite was fabricated to detect alpha-fetoprotein. The detection limit is 200 fg mL^?1. This immunosensor is simple, sensitive, specific and reproducible.     

Sandwich-type amperometric immunosensor for human immunoglobulin G using antibody-adsorbed Au/SiO2 nanoparticles

A novel sandwich-type electrochemical immunosensor for human immunoglobulin G (hIgG) was developed using Au/SiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) with adsorbed horseradish peroxidase-anti-hIgG as the secondary antibody layer. The signal readout is based on the amperometric response to the catalytic reduction of hydrogen peroxide at an AuNPs-polythionine modified glassy carbon electrode. Under optimized conditions, the linear range is from 0.1 to 200 ng·mL^?1, with a detection limit of 0.035 ng·mL^?1 (at an S/N of 3). The immunosensor exhibited a performance that is better than that based on Au/SiO₂NPs-excluded secondary antibody.     

Ultrasensitive electrochemiluminescent immunosensor based on dual signal amplification strategy of gold nanoparticles-dotted graphene composites and CdTe quantum dots coated silica nanoparticles

A facile and ultrasensitive electrochemiluminescent (ECL) immunosensor for detection of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was designed by using CdTe quantum dots coated silica nanoparticles (SiO₂@QDs) as bionanolabels. To construct such an electrochemiluminescence immunosensor, gold nanoparticles-dotted graphene composites were immobilized on the working electrode, which can increase the surface area to capture a large amount of primary antibodies as well as improve the electronic transmission rate. The as-prepared SiO₂@QDs used as bionanolabels, showed good ECL performance and good ability of immobilization for secondary antibodies. The approach provided a good linear response ranging from 0.005 to 10 ng?mL^?1 with a low detection limit of 0.0032 ng?mL^?1. Such immunosensor showed good precision, acceptable stability, and reproducibility. Satisfactory results were obtained for determination of PSA in human serum samples. Therefore, the proposed method provides a new promising platform of clinical immunoassay for other biomolecules.     

Disposable electrochemical immunosensor for myeloperoxidase based on the indium tin oxide electrode modified with an ionic liquid composite film containing gold nanoparticles, poly(o-phenylenediamine) and carbon nanotubes

A disposable electrochemical myeloperoxidase (MPO) immunosensor was fabricated based on the indium tin oxide electrode modified with a film composed of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), poly(o-phenylenediamine), multi-walled carbon nanotubes and an ionic liquid. The composite film on the surface of the electrode was prepared by in situ electropolymerization using the ionic liquid as a supporting electrolyte. Negatively charged AuNPs were then adsorbed on the modified electrode via amine-gold affinity and to immobilize MPO antibody. Finally, bovine serum albumin was employed to block possible remaining active sites on the AuNPs. The modification of the electrode was studied by cyclic voltammetry and scanning electron microscopy. The factors affecting the performance of the immunosensor were investigated in detail using the hexacyanoferrate redox system. The sensor exhibited good response to MPO over two linear ranges (from 0.2 to 23.4 and from 23.4 to 300 ng.mL^?1), with a detection limit of 0.05 ng.mL^?1 (at an S/N of 3).

Two kinds of electrochemical immunoassays for the tumor necrosis factor α in human serum using screen-printed graphite electrodes modified with poly(anthranilic acid)

We present two kinds of electrochemical immunoassays for the tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) which is a protein biomarker. The antibody against TNF-α was immobilized on a graphite screen-printed electrode modified with poly-anthranilic acid (ASPE). The first is based on impedimetry (and thus label-free) and the target antigen (TNF-α) is captured by the surface of the modified electrode via an immunoreaction upon which impedance is changed. This sensing platform has a detection limit of 5.0 pg mL^?1. In the second approach, the monoclonal antibodies on the modified electrode also bind to the target antigen (TNF-α), but detection is based on a sandwich immunoreaction. This is performed by first adding secondary anti-TNF-α antibodies labeled with horseradish peroxidase, and then detecting the response of the sandwich system by adding hydrogen peroxide and acetaminophen as a probe system for HRP activity. This immunosensor also has a very low detection limit (3.2 pg mL^?1). The experimental conditions of both assays were studied and optimized via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and differential pulse voltammetry. The method was then applied to the determination of TNF-α in serum samples where it displayed high sensitivity, selectivity and reproducibility.

Carbon nanoparticle modified screen printed carbon electrode as a disposable electrochemical immunosensor strip for the detection of Japanese encephalitis virus

The authors describe a disposable electrochemical immunosensor strip for the detection of the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). The assay is based on the use of a screen printed carbon electrode (SPCE) modified with carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) that were prepared from starch nanoparticles and deposited on the SPCE working electrode whose surface was functionalized with 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane. Next, antibody of JEV was immobilized on the surfaces of the CNPs. The analytical performance of immunosensor strip was characterized using cyclic voltammetry (with hexacyanoferrate as the redox probe) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The deposition of CNPs enhances the electron transfer kinetics and current intensity of the SPCE by 63% compared to an unmodified SPCE. Under optimized conditions, the calibration plot is linear within the 5–20 ng·mL^?1 JEV concentration range, the limit of detection being 2 ng·mL^?1 (at an S/N ratio of 3), and the assay time is 20 min. This immunosensor strip was successfully applied to the detection of JEV in human serum samples. It represents a cost-effective alternative to conventional diagnostic tests for JEV.

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Graphical abstract A disposable carbon nanoparticles modified screen printed carbon electrode (SPCE) immunosensor strip for Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) detection is described. A limit of detection of 2 ng·mL^?1 and an assay time of 20 min were achieved.

     

Electrochemical immunoassay for the prostate specific antigen using a reduced graphene oxide functionalized with a high molecular-weight silk peptide

High molecular-weight silk peptide (SP) was used to functionalize the surface of nanosheets of reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The SP-rGO nanocomposite was then mixed with mouse anti-human prostate specific antigen monoclonal antibody (anti-PSA) and coated onto a glassy carbon electrode to fabricate an immunosensor. By using the hexacyanoferrate redox system as electroactive probe, the immunosensor was characterized by voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The peak current, measured at the potential of 0.24 V (vs. SCE), is distinctly reduced after binding prostate specific antigen (PSA). Response (measured by differential pulse voltammetry) is linearly related to PSA concentration in the range from 0.1 to 5.0 ng · mL⁻¹ and from 5.0 to 80.0 ng∙mL⁻¹, and the detection limit is 53 pg∙mL⁻¹ (at an SNR of 3). The immunosensor was successfully applied to the determination of PSA in clinical serum samples, and the results were found to agree well with those obtained with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Nanosheets of reduced graphene oxide were functionalized with silk peptide and used to immobilize anti-PSA to fabricate an immunosensor for PSA.

     

Simultaneous Determination of Paracetamol and Caffeine in Human Plasma by LC–ESI–MS

A rapid, selective and convenient liquid chromatography–mass spectrometric method for the simultaneous determination of paracetamol and caffeine in human plasma was developed and validated. Analytes and theophylline [internal standard (I.S.)] were extracted from plasma samples with diethyl ether-dichloromethane (3:2, v/v) and separated on a C₁₈ column (150 × 4.6 mm ID, 5 μm particle size, 100 Å pore size). The mobile phase consisted of 0.2% formic acid–methanol (60:40, v/v). The assay was linear in the concentration range between 0.05 and 25 μg mL^?1 for paracetamol and 10–5,000 ng mL^?1 for caffeine, with the lower limit of quantification of 0.05 μg mL^?1 and 10 ng mL^?1, respectively. The intra- and inter-day precision for both drugs was less than 8.1%, and the accuracy was within ±6.5%. The single chromatographic analysis of plasma samples was achieved within 4.5 min. This validated method was successfully applied to study the pharmacokinetics of paracetamol and caffeine in human plasma.     

A disposable immunosensor based on gold colloid modified chitosan nanoparticles-entrapped carbon paste electrode

A new strategy is described to construct disposable electrochemical immunosensors for the assay of human immunoglobulin. It is based on a carbon paste electrode constructed from chitosan nanoparticles modified with colloidal gold. The stepwise assembly process of the immunosensor was characterized by means of cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Assay conditions that were optimized included the amount of chitosan nanoparticles in the preparation of carbon paste electrode, antibody concentration, and the incubation time of the antibody immobilization. Using hexacyanoferrate as a mediator, the current change increased with the concentration of human immunoglobulin G. A linear relationship in the concentration range 0.3 to 120 ng mL^?1 was achieved, with a detection limit of 0.1 ng mL^?1 (S/N?=?3). The method combines the specificity of the immunological reaction with the sensitivity of the gold colloid amplified electrochemical detection, and it has potential application in clinical immunoassay.     

Nanosilver and DNA-functionalized immunosensing probes for electrochemical immunoassay of alpha-fetoprotein

A simple and sensitive electrochemical immunosensor for a one-step immunoassay for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was designed using silver nanoparticles and double-stranded DNA as matrices. The detection was based on the change in the electron transfer resistance before and after the antigen-antibody reaction by using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Under optimal conditions, the resistance shift of the immunosensor is proportional to the AFP concentration in the range 3.5 –360 ng·mL^?1 with a detection limit of 1.5 ng·mL^?1 (at 3σ). The immunosensor exhibits high sensitivity, good reproducibility and stability. Results obtained for clinical serum samples by the immunosensor are in accordance with those determined by spectrophotometric enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.     

Disposable Immunosensor for Escherichia Coli O157:H7 Based on a Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube-Sodium Alginate Nanocomposite Film Modified Screen-Printed Carbon Electrode

A disposable immunosensor for the detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 based on a multiwalled carbon nanotube–sodium alginate nanocomposite film was constructed. The nanocomposite was placed on a screen-printed carbon electrode, and horseradish peroxidase-labeled antibodies were immobilized to E. coli O157:H7 on the modified electrode to construct the immunosensor. The modification procedure was characterized by atomic force microscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Under optimal conditions, the proposed immunosensor exhibited good electrochemical sensitivity to E. coli O157:H7 in a concentration range of 10³–10¹⁰ cfu/mL, with a relatively low detection limit of 2.94 × 10² cfu/mL (S/N = 3). This immunosensor exhibited satisfactory specificity, reproducibility, stability, and accuracy, making it a potential alternative tool for early assessment of E. coli O157:H7.