Electrochemical Detection of Zika Virus in Biological Samples: A Step for Diagnosis Point‐of‐care

This work describes an electrochemical genosensor for detection of genomic RNA of Zika virus in real samples of infected patients, using a new platform based on graphite electrodes modified with electrochemically reduced graphene oxide and polytyramine‐conducting polymer. The developed genosensor was suitable for differentiation between samples of healthy and infected patients with Zika virus by differential pulse voltammetry, detecting up to 0.1 fg/mL (1.72 copies/mL), showing good stability (about 60 days), rapid analysis (about 20 min) and potential for filling the lack of practical diagnostic methods for Zika virus.     

Recent advances in sensing and biosensing with arrays of nanoelectrodes

This review deals with recent advances in the field of electrochemical sensing and biosensing with nanoelectrode ensembles (NEEs) and nanoelectrode arrays (NEAs), focusing mainly on articles published since 2015. At first, a brief introduction on the properties and possible advantages which characterize electroanalytical signals at the NEE/NEA is presented, followed by an overview on the most recent theoretical advances concerning the modeling of relevant electrochemical signals. Novel nanofabrication methods and nanoelectrode materials are discussed together with original (bio)funtionalization procedures, suitable to obtain more sensitive and reliable sensors. Advanced applications of NEE/NEA-based sensors in the biological and biomedical field are presented, including their integration with living cells and application for neurochemical studies. Advances, present limits, and prospects for research in the area are finally discussed. As far as future research trends are concerned, on the one hand, there is a need for development of theoretical models which take into account specific effects that can rule electrochemistry with arrays of nanosized electrodes, such as double layer and quantum mechanical effects. On the other hand, frontier studies concerning the application of the NEE/NEA to the biomedical and neurochemical fields can open new tracks both to fundamental knowledge and application.     

Recent advances in nanomaterial-based electrochemical sensing of nitric oxide and nitrite for biomedical and food research

Nitric oxide (NO) and nitrite are of significant importance in clinical/biomedical research and in quality control applications for the food industry. Electrochemical sensing of NO and nitrite has been extensively pursued over the last two years. Efficient interfaces based on functional nanomaterials and bioactive molecules (e.g. metals, metal oxides, carbon-based nanomaterials, conducting polymers, and heme proteins) have been widely explored toward sensor development. Herein, we review the most recent advances in the electrochemical sensing of NO and nitrite, while the critical roles of nanomaterials in the design of advanced electrochemical sensors are highlighted.     

Challenges in the electrochemical (bio)sensing of nonelectroactive food and environmental contaminants

Electrochemical detection of nonelectroactive contaminants can be successfully faced via the use of indirect detection strategies. These strategies can provide sensitive and selective responses often coupled with portable and user-friendly analytical tools. Indirect detection strategies are usually based on the change in the signal of an electroactive probe, induced by the presence of the target molecule at a modified electrode. This critical review aims at addressing the developments in indirect electrosensing strategies for nonelectroactive contaminants in food and environmental analysis in the last few years. Emphasis is given to the strategy design, the electrode modifiers used and the feasibility of technological transfer.     

辣根过氧化物酶在壳聚糖和无掺杂金刚石纳米粒子共沉积膜上的固定及其直接电化学

无掺杂的金刚石纳米粒子(UND)可以和壳聚糖共沉积到玻碳电极表面,形成壳聚糖-UND复合膜.此复合膜可以通过吸附的方法,固定辣根过氧化物酶(HRP),并且能够实现HRP的直接电化学,保持HRP对过氧化氢的良好催化能力.为了进一步研究此复合膜及HRP在此复合膜上的电化学活性,运用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、全反射红外(ATR)、电化学交流阻抗、循环伏安等技术来跟踪各步修饰过程.结果表明,此复合膜有良好的生物相容性,能够很好的保持HRP的生物活性.     

Chemical Reactivity of Polypyrrole and Its Relevance to Polypyrrole Based Electrochemical Sensors

One of the most frequently used conducting polymers, polypyrrole, can take part in chemical processes with typical components of ambient media: oxygen, acids, bases, redox reactants, water, and organic vapors; it can also incorporate nonreactive ions and surfactants from solutions. The influence of such processes on changes of the polymer structure, composition and on possible degradation is analyzed. The benefits and disadvantages of such processes for analytical characteristic of polypyrrole based electrochemical sensors are considered. This discussion is focused on potentiometric ion sensors, where polypyrrole is either a receptor membrane or an ion‐to‐electron transducer placed between a solid state electrode support and a typical ion‐selective membrane.     

双层类脂膜电化学免疫传感器的研究及应用进展

详细评述了双层类脂膜(BLM)免疫传感器在电分析化学中的研究及应用进展，并展望了其发展前景。     

A Study of Preparation and Performance of a Dichlorvos Electrochemical Sensor Based on Molecularly Imprinted Technique

A new dichlorvos molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor was prepared. The sensitive membrane sensor was fabricated by electro-polymerizing on an Au electrode surface using o-aminophenol as a monomer and dichlorvos as a template. The 5 mmol/L K₃[Fe(CN)₆] containing 0.1 mol/L KCl was used as the test background solution, while cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) were used to study the properties of the senor. The changes of oxidation peak current versus dichlorvos concentration showed linearity in the range of 0.12–0.42 µmol/L (R ² = 0.9432) and 0.45–15 µmol/L (R ² = 0.9516) with a detection limit of 0.06 µmol/L (S/N = 3). Moreover, the selectivity and repeatability properties of the dichlorvos electrochemical sensor were examined. Results showed that the senor had excellent repeatability (RSD = 3.92%, n = 5), good selectivity to the dichlorvos in detection, and only a ten minute response time. Organophosphorus insecticides have some response signals in the detections.     

抗污界面构建及其电化学生物传感应用进展

电化学生物传感器具有灵敏度高、便携性好、响应快速和易于集成等优点,在临床检测方面有很大应用潜力,并在可穿戴健康监测领域得到了快速发展。但在实际临床生物样本检测中,非靶标生物物质会在电极表面产生非特异性吸附（即生物污染）,影响了电化学生物传感器的性能。因此,构建具有防污染能力的传感界面（抗污界面）,防止非靶标物质吸附到电极表面,对于扩大电化学生物传感器的实际应用范围,实现在复杂生物样本中的检测至关重要。本文概述了物理、化学和生物抗污电极界面的构建及其在临床相关生物标志物检测中的应用,为电化学生物传感器实际应用性能的提升提供技术参考,并通过对界面抗污原理和存在问题的探讨,对抗污界面发展前景和未来趋势予以展望。     

Au‐TiO2/Graphene Nanocomposite Film for Electrochemical Sensing of Hydrogen Peroxide and NADH

We describe a simple method for preparing Au‐TiO₂/graphene (GR) nanocomposite by deposition of Au nanoparticles (NPs) on TiO₂/GR substrates. The as‐prepared Au‐TiO₂/GR was characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The presence of Au NPs on TiO₂/GR surface remarkably improves the electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and β‐nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH). The Au‐TiO₂/GR modified glassy carbon (GC) electrode exhibits good amperometric response to H₂O₂ and NADH, with linear range from 10 to 200 µM and 10 to 240 µM, and detection limit of 0.7 and 0.2 µM, respectively.     

Nanostructured Base Electrochemical Sensor for Simultaneous Quantification and Voltammetric Studies of Levodopa and Carbidopa in Pharmaceutical Products and Biological Samples

A novel carbon paste electrode modified with carbon nanotubes and 5‐amino‐2′‐ethyl‐biphenyl‐2‐ol (5AEB) was fabricated. The electrochemical study of the modified electrode, as well as its efficiency for electrocatalytic oxidation of levodopa (LD) and carbidopa (CD), is described. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was used to investigate the redox properties of this modified electrode at various scan rates. The apparent charge transfer rate constant, k_s, and transfer coefficient, a, for electron transfer between 5AEB and CPE were calculated as 17.3 s^?1 and 0.5, respectively. Square wave voltammetry (SWV) exhibits a linear dynamic range from 2.5×10^?7 to 2.0×10^?4 M and a detection limit of 9.0×10^?8 M for LD.     

Electrochemical DNA Biosensors Applicable to the Study of Interactions Between DNA and DNA Intercalators

Electrochemical DNA biosensors, based either on carbon paste electrode (CPE) or hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) were prepared. These biosensors were used in the study of interaction between double stranded DNA (dsDNA) and single stranded DNA (ssDNA) and acridine orange, a well known DNA intercalator. The different electrochemical behaviors were compared in the article.     

Composite Assembly of Silver Nanoparticles with Avidin and Biotinylated AChE on Gold for the Pesticidal Electrochemical Sensing

An amperometric pesticide biosensor has been devised by the composite assembly of silver nanoparticles with avidin and biotinylated acetylcholinesterase (AChE) on gold electrodes modified with a biotin‐terminated self assembly monolayer (SAM). This composite assembly strategy takes use of the biospecific recognition avidin with the biotin from the SAM‐terminals and biotinylated AChE, as well as the electrostatic interaction between silver nanoparticles with negatively charged citrate shell and avidin with encounter charge at pH 7.2. The construction process of the composite interface on gold was monitored by surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and its structure was characterized by attenuated total reflection Fourier‐transform infrared spectra, atomic force microscopy and UV‐vis spectra. The composite interface shows excellent electron transfer ability, as characterized by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Under the optimum conditions a quantitative measurement of organophosphate pesticide dimethoate was achieved with the linear range of 0.05 μM to10 μM and the detection limit 0.01 μM, taken as the concentration equivalent to a 10% decrease in signal. Silver nanoparticles conjugated biotin‐avidin system represents a simple and functional approach to the integration of electrode sensing interface with improved biocompatibility and electron transfer ability, which may provide an analytical access to a large group of enzymes for bioelectrochemical application.     

Electrochemical methods in understanding the redox processes of drugs and biomolecules and their sensing

Progression of the biochemical information of drugs and its interaction with biological substances require efficient methodologies suitable for generating information without incurring any significant damage to the analytes. Electrochemical methods provide useful information and compatible to the biological environments, without any significant alterations in the analyte, the methods are capable in onsite applications. Present review discusses about the application of the electrochemical techniques in evaluating the mechanism of interaction of drugs with the biomaterials like proteins, lipids, and DNA. The redox process leads to the determination of the drugs and biomolecules through the development of modified electrodes. The modified ultra-microelectrodes (UMEs) or nano electrodes are useful in sensing at the extracellular level of single cells. The electrochemical collision using UMEs provides information about the single molecular level. Present article discusses a brief review of some of the drug and biomolecule interactions using macro and also UMEs.     

Electrochemical sensing of nitric oxide for biological systems: methodological approach and new insights in examining interfering compounds

We report here on the appropriate analysis of some examples of interfering compounds that should be done to assess the specificity of the electrochemical sensing of nitric oxide in solution. To do so, we describe the design of a nickel porphyrin and Nafion®-coated carbon microfibre and discuss the methodological approach in examining interfering compounds.     

Electrochemical quantification of reactive oxygen and nitrogen: challenges and opportunities

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) play a crucial role in chemical signaling processes of biological cells. Electrochemistry is one of the rare methods able to directly detect these species. ROS and RNS can be monitored in the local microenvironment of cells in real time at the site where the actual signaling takes place. This review presents recent advances made with amperometric electrochemical techniques. Existing challenges for the quantification of ROS and RNS in biological systems are discussed to promote the development of innovative and reliable cell-based assays. Figure Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS & RNS) are produced biological cells. An amperometric sensor is placed in close proximity. The recorded current I is used to determine fluxes of certain species.

Chitosan/Ionic Liquid Composite Electrode for Electrochemical Monitoring of the Surface‐Confined Interaction Between Mitomycin C and DNA

In the present study a chitosan/ionic liquid modified pencil graphite electrode (CHIT‐IL‐PGEs) was developed for the first time for enhanced electrochemical monitoring of nucleic acid, and the interaction of the anticancer drug Mitomycin C (MC) and calf thymus double stranded DNA (dsDNA) by measuring the oxidation signals of MC and guanine in the same voltammetric scale. Differential pulse voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques were used to evaluate the performance of the CHIT‐IL based biosensor on electrochemical monitoring of DNA, and drug‐DNA interaction. The experimental parameters, IL, dsDNA and MC concentration and the interaction time were then optimized.     

Determination of Electrochemical Interaction between 2‐(1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl) Phenol and DNA Sequences

A benzimidazole derivate, 2‐(1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl) phenol (2‐Bip) and its interaction mechanism with sequence specific DNA was examined with Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV). We, for the first time, investigated the effect of 2‐Bip on sequence specific DNA with electrochemical methods by evaluating both guanine and 2‐Bip oxidation signal changes. In the study, probe sequences were immobilized to the surface of the electrodes and then hybridization was achieved by sending the complementary target onto the probe modified electrodes. Following the hybridization, 2‐Bip solution was interacted with probe and hybrid sequences to see the effect of 2‐Bip on different DNA sequences. The binding constant (K), toxicity (S%) and thermodynamic parameters, i. e., Gibbs free energy (ΔG°) of 2‐Bip‐DNA complexes were evaluated. K was calculated as 5×10⁵ and the change in the ΔG° was found as ?32.50 kJ mol^?1, which are consistent well with the literature. Furthermore, S% showed that 2‐Bip is moderately toxic to single stranded DNA (ssDNA) and toxic to double stranded DNA (dsDNA). From our experimental data, we made four conclusions (i) 2‐Bip affects both ssDNA and dsDNA, (ii) 2‐Bip interaction mode with DNA could be non‐covalent interactions, (iii) 2‐Bip could be used as new DNA hybridization indicator due to its distinct effects on ssDNA and dsDNA, (iv) 2‐Bip could be used as a drug molecule for its DNA effect.     

Electrochemical sensing platform for tetrabromobisphenol A at pM level based on the synergetic enhancement effects of graphene and dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide

Graphene nanosheets (GS) were prepared via solvent exfoliation, and then hybridized with dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB). On the single surface of DDAB and GS film, the direct oxidation activities of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) are improved effectively, and consequently the oxidation signals enhance obviously. Interestingly, the composite of DDAB and GS exhibits remarkable synergetic effects toward the oxidation of TBBPA, and the peak currents of TBBPA further increase greatly on the DDAB-GS composite film. The signal enhancement mechanism was studied using chronocoulometry. It is found that the greatly-increased accumulation efficiency is the main reason. As a result, a novel electrochemical sensing platform was developed for TBBPA. The linear range is from 0.1 to 400 μg L⁻¹, and the detection limit is as low as 41.8 ng L⁻¹ (76.8 pM). The practical applications in water samples manifest that this new determination system is accurate and feasible.     

A novel colorimetric PCR-based biosensor for detection and quantification of hepatitis B virus

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) can cause viral infection that attacks the liver and it is a major global health problem that put people at a high risk of death from cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer. HBV has infected one third of the worldwide population, and 350 million people suffer from chronic HBV infection. For these reasons, development of an accurate, sensitive and expedient detection method for diagnosing, monitoring and assessing therapeutic response of HBV is very necessary and urgent for public health and disease control. Here we report a new strategy for detection of viral load quantitation of HBV based on colorimetric polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with DNAzyme-containing probe. The special DNAzyme adopting a G-quadruplex structure exhibited peroxidase-like activity in the presence of hemin to report colorimetric signal. This method has shown a broad range of linearity and high sensitivity. This study builds important foundation to achieve the specific and accurate detection level of HBV DNA with a low-cost and effective method in helping diagnosing, preventing and protecting human health form HBV generally all over the world and especially in developing countries.