Quartz crystal microbalance immunosensor for highly sensitive 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin detection in fly ash from municipal solid waste incinerators

A quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) immunosensor was developed for the detection of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (TCDD) in environmental pollutants. An anti-TCDD antibody was immobilized on the gold surface of the QCM via chemical coupling, and its immunologic activity was then maintained by treatment with an artificial stabilizing reagent such as poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine-co-n-butyl methacrylate). A competitive immunoreaction with TCDD conjugated ovalbumin (TCDD-ovalbumin) was used to detect TCDD. A calibration curve was obtained through the competitive immunoreaction, and linearity was shown from 100 ng mL(-1) to 0.1 ng mL(-1). Also, the cross-reactivities of the anti-TCDD monoclonal antibody were thoroughly evaluated with several TCDD derivatives. The relationships between GC-MS, ELISA, and QCM were compared using fly ash samples from a municipal solid waste, which were prepared using an accelerated solvent extractor. For 23 samples, the experimental relationship between the TCDD concentration by QCM vs. the TCDD concentration by ELISA was y= 1.07x + 2.70, r= 0.99, and the TCDD concentration by QCM vs. the toxic equivalent quantity (TEQ) value by GC-MS was y= 2.46x - 14.98, r= 0.89.     

基于巯基自组装单层膜的日本血吸虫石英晶体微天平免疫传感器

应用自组装膜技术在压电石英晶振金电极表面自组装一带羧基的巯基丙酸单层膜,通过盐酸1-乙基-3-(3-二甲基氨基丙基)碳二亚胺及N-羟基琥珀酰亚胺共价固定32KD的日本血吸虫分子抗原(SjAg32),设计了石英晶振微天平免疫传感器,用于测定日本血吸虫抗体.比较了巯基自组装单层膜与HEMA-MMA共聚物涂层修饰的石英晶振在溶液中的振荡行为,发现巯基自组装单层膜修饰的石英晶振稳定快,且稳定性好.在优化条件下,测得IRS(49-2000)的滴度为1:1500.此外,对不同程度血吸虫感染的兔血清进行了测试,结果表明,该传感器能较好地定量区别血吸虫感染程度.     

Application of a flow type quartz crystal microbalance immunosensor for real time determination of cattle bovine ephemeral fever virus in liquid

Bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) is a viral disease of cattle. A flow type quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) immunosensor was developed for the real time determination BEF virus (BEFV) that is suitable for clinical point-case diagnosis. Self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of thiols and sulphides by the cystamine–glutaraldehyde method was used for the immobilization of BEFV monoclonal antibody on the gold surface of a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). A positive correlation was found between the virus concentration and frequency changes (R² = 0.9962) on this QCM system. The reproducible rates for the 50 and 10 μg/mL samples were 4 and 13.9%, respectively. There was no interference from non-specifically adsorbed phage. Using this flow type QCM immunosensor, BEFV could specifically be detected with sensitivity comparable to a conventional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The measurement could be obtained directly, within several minutes, rather than hours as required visualizing the results of ELISA. In addition, the observation of reproducible and constant changes after successive additions of BEFV suggests that a QCM immunosensor in a flow cell could be developed for automated or continuous real time operation.     

A novel piezoelectric biosensor for the detection of phytohormone beta-indole acetic acid.

A novel piezoelectric immunosensor has been developed for the determination of beta-indole acetic acid (IAA) in dilute solutions. The detection is based on competitive immunoreaction between a hapten (IAA) and an antigen (IAA-BSA, hapten-protein conjugation) bound to an anti-IAA antibody, immobilized on a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). The frequency change (y) of the sensor caused by antigen is linearly related to the logarithm of the concentration of IAA (x) in the range of 0.5 ng/ml - 5 microg/ml with a regression equation of the form y = -23x + 151 (r = 0.9937).     

Validation of the CALUX bioassay for the screening of PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs in retail fish

The chemical-activated luciferase expression (CALUX) assay is a reporter gene assay that detects dioxin-like compounds based on their ability to activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and thus expression of the reporter gene. In this paper, the CALUX assay was examined for its application in the screening of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dioxin-like PCBs) in retail fish. The sample extracts were cleaned up on a sulfuric acid-silica gel column followed by an activated carbon column, and the AhR activity of the separated PCDD/F and dioxin-like PCB fractions was determined using the assay. The quantitative limit for 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) was 0.98 pg ml(-1) (0.19 pg assay(-1) in the standard curve, corresponding to 0.16 pg g(-1) of CALUX-based toxic equivalency (2,3,7,8-TCDD equivalents) in the tested sample. Recovery tests in which dioxins were added to fish samples resulted in acceptable recoveries (77-117%). The CALUX assay performed well in the analysis of dioxins in fish samples and a comparative study revealed a strong correlation between the CALUX assay and high-resolution gas chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis for the determination of PCDD/Fs (r = 0.89) and dioxin-like PCBs (r = 0.91) in retail fish (n = 22). These data revealed that the CALUX assay would be a useful screening method for PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs in retail fish.     

Determination of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in commercial chlorophenols and related products

Summary We have recently published a procedure [1] which allows the selective determination of 2,3,7,8-TCDD in the presence of a large excess of other polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF). This method was applied for the determination of 2,3,7,8-TCDD in several samples of chlorophenols and related products.Analytical results are reported for pentachlorophenol, sodium pentachlorophenate, 2,3,4,5-tetrachlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, hexachlorophene, and chloranil. While 2,3,7,8-TCDD could not be detected at a limit of detection of about 0.03 ng/g (ppb) in pentachlorophenol and chloranil, 2,3,7,8-TCDD could be shown to be present in all samples of sodium pentachlorophenate and also in the samples of 2,3,4,5-tetrachlorophenol, 2,4-D, and hexachlorophene. With the exception of 2,4-D, the concentration of 2,3,7,8-TCDD in these samples was below 1 ng/g (pbb).

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Bestimmung von 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlordibenzo-p-dioxin in handelsüblichen Chlorphenolen und verwandten Produkten

Zusammenfassung Ein von uns beschriebenes Verfahren [1] erlaubt die selektive Abtrennung von 2,3,7,8-TCDD von den übrigen PCDD und PCDF durch Fraktionierung an Alumina Woelm B Super I. Diese Methode wurde nun zur Bestimmung von 2,3,7,8-TCDD in verschiedenen Proben von Chlorphenolen und verwandten Produkten angewandt.Analysenergebnisse für Pentachlorphenol, Pentachlorphenol-Natrium, 2,3,4,5-Tetrachlorphenol, 2,4-Dichlorphenoxyessigsäure, Hexachlorophen und Chloranil werden berichtet. Während in Pentachlorphenol und Chloranil 2,3,7,8-TCDD bei einer Nachweisgrenze von ca. 0,03 ng/g (ppb) nicht nachgewiesen werden konnte, wurde 2,3,7,8-TCDD in allen übrigen Proben nachgewiesen. Mit Ausnahme von 2,4-Dichlorphenoxyessigsäure lagen die Konzentrationen an 2,3,7,8-TCDD unter 1 ng/g (ppb).

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This work was supported by the Ministerium für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft, Umwelt und Forsten, Baden-Württemberg. The skilful technical assistance of Roland Kerzenmacher and Heinz Tichaczek is acknowledged.     

Comparison of immunoaffinity column recovery patterns of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/polychlorinated dibenzofurans on columns generated with different monoclonal antibody clones and polyclonal antibodies

Evaluation of immunoaffinity columns (IACs) for dioxin serum sample clean-up requires a determination of the recovery of various dioxin congeners. We compared the IAC performance of different monoclonal and polyclonal anti-dioxin antibodies, measuring the recovery of congeners of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs). In addition, we measured the recovery of congeners of the structurally related polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs).The polyclonal antibody based IACs evaluated had lower recovery for highly chlorinated dioxin congeners, but were more specific toward 2,3,7,8-TCDD. The resemblance of the hapten to 2,3,7,8-TCDD appeared to play a clear role, but chlorines in the 2-, 3- and 7-positions of the hapten were essential. Recovery of 2,3,7,8-TCDD from the IAC showed some relation to the affinity for the antibody measured by either the K_a from accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) or with 50% inhibition of color activity (IC₅₀) determined from an ELISA analysis.The IACs prepared from four monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) derived from a common hapten showed differences in their retention patterns of PCDDs/PCDFs. Comparison of IC₅₀ from ELISA with recovery from the IACs indicated that a minimum IC₅₀ of 100 ppb was required for satisfactory recovery from the IAC, but the correlation was poor, indicating other factors were involved. Mab DD3 showed the broadest spectrum of the Mabs and showed satisfactory recoveries of all of the dioxin congeners, except OCDD. In addition, DD3 showed good recovery toward 2,3,4,8-TCDF, 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF and 2,3,4,6,7,8-HxCDF but has poor recovery when PCDFs have a chlorine substitution in the 1-position.     

Selective determination of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in the presence of a large excess of other polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans

Summary A procedure is described for the selective separation of 2,3,7,8-TCDD from all other PCDDs and PCDFs. For this purpose the mixture of PCDDs and PCDFs is fractionated on Alumina Woelm B Super I in such a manner that all PCDDs and PCDFs are eluted prior to 2,3,7,8-TCDD. This procedure allows a more sensitive quantitative determination of 2,3,7,8-TCDD in samples which contain 2,3,7,8-TCDD only as a very minor fraction of the other TCDDs or PCDDs and PCDFs. Determination of 2,3,7,8-TCDD in pentachlorophenol and in a waste sample from 2,4-dichlorophenol production by this procedure is described.

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Selektive Bestimmung von 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlordibenzo-p-dioxin in Gegenwart eines großen Überschusses anderer polychlorierter Dibenzodioxine und polychlorierter Dibenzofurane

Zusammenfassung Ein Verfahren wird beschrieben, das die selektive Abtrennung von 2,3,7,8-TCDD aus einer Mischung von allen PCDDs und PCDFs erlaubt. Dies geschieht durch Fraktionierung an Alumina Woelm B Super I, wodurch eine getrennte Elution aller PCDDs und PCDFs von 2,3,7,8-TCDD erreicht werden kann. Dieses Verfahren erlaubt die quantitative Bestimmung von 2,3,7,8-TCDD mit höherer Nachweisempfindlichkeit in Proben, die andere TCDDs bzw. PCDDs und PCDFs in extremen Überschüssen im Vergleich zu 2,3,7,8-TCDD enthalten. Am Beispiel der Bestimmung von 2,3,7,8-TCDD in Pentachlorphenol und in einem Produktionsrückstand von 2,4-Dichlorphenol wird die praktische Anwendbarkeit nachgewiesen.

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This work was supported by the Ministerium für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft, Umwelt und Forsten, Baden-Württemberg.The skilfull technical assistance of Roland Kerzenmacher is acknowledged.     

QCM-DNA biosensor based on plasma modified PT/TiO2 nanocomposites

A quartz crystal microbalance DNA biosensor based on plasma prepared polythiophene /titanium dioxide (PT/TiO₂) nanocomposite was developed for the detection of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). DNA hybridization was studied by quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements. Single stranded DNA probes were immobilized on the PT/TiO₂ coated quartz crystal electrode and the hybridization between the immobilized probe and the target complementary sequence in solution was monitored. The developed QCM-DNA biosensor represented promising results for a real-time, label-free, direct detection of DNA samples for the screening of genetically modified organisms.     

基于等离子体聚合膜的日本血吸虫压电免疫传感器的研究

提出了一种测定日本血吸虫抗体的可逆压电免疫传感器。先在石英晶振上沉积正丁胺等离子体聚合膜,再自组装聚电解质,用以静电吸附固定日本血吸虫抗原。然后采用BSA和NRS作封闭剂,以封闭晶振上非特异必吸附位点,实现对日本血吸虫感染兔血清的测定。探讨了聚电解质(PSS和AASS)自组装、抗原包被和免疫反应等实难条件的影响;考察了该传感器的响应特性与再生性能,并与采用戊二醛共价键合固定法进行比较。发现该传感器具有灵敏度高、重现性好、非物异性吸附低、再生简便等优点。将它用于测定一系列不同感染程度的兔血清样本,结果表明,该传感系统是临床定性和定量诊断日本血吸虫病的一种有效工具。     

A novel dendritic surfactant for enhanced microcystin-LR detection by double amplification in a quartz crystal microbalance biosensor

Enhanced sensitivity for the hepatotoxin microcystin-LR (MC-LR) was achieved in a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) system via double amplification. For primary amplification, an innovative interface on the QCM was obtained as a matrix by the vesicle layer formed by our synthetic dendritic surfactant, bis (amidoethyl-carbamoylethyl) octadecylamine (C18N3). The vesicle matrix was then functionalised by an optimised concentration of monoclonal antibodies against MC-LR (anti-MC-LR) to detect the analyte. The results showed that a detection limit of 100 ng/mL was achieved by primary amplification. To achieve higher sensitivity, secondary amplification was implemented with anti-MC-LR gold nanoparticle (AuNPs) conjugates as probes, which lowered the detection limit for MC-LR to 1 ng/mL (the maximum concentration recommended by the World Health Organization [WHO] in drinking water for humans). The QCM immunosensor reported here has advantages such as high sensitivity, portability, simplicity, and cost-effectiveness for MC-LR detection. It would be uniquely superior compared with current MC-LR detection techniques for on-the-spot water detection. Furthermore, the methodology described here is also potentially significant in many fields for the routine monitoring of environmental and food safety.     

QCM‐Based Immunosensor for the Determination of Ochratoxin A

Abstract

A piezoelectric immunosensor based on a competitive format was developed for determination of ochratoxin A (OTA) concentration. Surface modifications via two self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) were investigated respectively and a better result was obtained with the SAM of 16‐mercaptohexadecanoic acid (16‐MHDA). The quartz crystal microbalance (QCM)‐based immunosensor was fabricated by immobilizing anti‐OTA antibodies onto the surface of the 16‐MHDA‐modified electrode, and allowing competition between free OTA and that conjugated with BSA to occur. The assay exhibited a working range of 50–1000 ng/mL and a detection limit of 16.1 ng/mL. Studies of interference and matrix effects were performed to evaluate the feasibility of the developed immunosensor for the direct analysis of OTA in real samples. Recoveries were conducted at 50, 200, and 1000 ng/g and were determined to be in the range of 142%–76%. The OTA assay is specific. No cross‐reactivates were observed with citrinin.     

同位素稀释的气相色谱/高分辨质谱联用测定食品中二噁英和共平面多氯联苯

采用HRGC/HRMS和同位素稀释定量技术对样品中17种4~8个氯原子取代的二噁英和呋喃(PCDDs/Fs)与12种共平面多氯联苯(PCBs)定量分析。样品经索式抽提、FMSPowerPrep系统净化、浓缩,利用高分辨气相色谱/高分辨质谱联用仪的多离子检测方式,同位素稀释技术对样品中的目标化合物进行定性和定量。该方法的检出限为pg/g水平。13C同位素内标回收率范围为47%~100%。对3个CRM鱼样中17个PCDDs/Fs和4个PCBs的检测值均在标准定值允许误差范围内。对5个不同的实际样品鱼进行测定表明,样品的回收率在48%~100%之间,回收率的相对标准偏差小于20%;对同一样品进行定量检测的精密度测试结果表明,17种PCDDs/Fs浓度的RSD低于16%,12种PCBs浓度的RSD低于11%。本方法定量分析重现性良好。     

基于邻苯二胺电聚合膜的抗体固定化方法研究

Si等 [1] 在压电石英晶体金电极表面先电聚合了一层聚苯胺膜 (PAn) ,再于 PAn膜上电聚合一层聚间苯二胺膜 (Pm PD) ,形成一双层膜 (Pm PD和 PAn) ,而后通过戊二醛共价键合固定化方法 ,实现对生物蛋白质分子的固定和对生物细胞的测定 .但在上述方法中 ,传感器难以再生且蛋白质分子的固定量较少 .参照文献 [2 ],本文提出了一种在电聚合邻苯二胺薄膜上进行可逆的抗体固定化的新方法 .通过控制溶液的 p H值 ,在带正电的电聚合邻苯二胺膜表面先自组装一层聚阴离子聚苯磺酸根 (PSS)层 ,使传感器得到一个带负电的载体表面 ,再通过静电吸附 ,…     

Use of polyclonal antibodies to ochratoxin A with a quartz–crystal microbalance for developing real-time mycotoxin piezoelectric immunosensors

A piezoelectric immunosensor was tested for ochratoxin A (OTA) mycotoxin detection through the immobilization of OTA–bovine serum albumin (OTA–BSA) conjugate on gold-coated quartz crystals (AT-cut/5 MHz). Immunoassays were performed in a flow-injection system through frequency decreases in a quartz–crystal microbalance (QCM) because of a mass increasing during immunoreaction with anti-OTA antibodies. Three immobilization procedures for OTA–BSA (direct adsorption and covalent attachment to two alkane thiol self-assembled monolayers) were characterized with QCM in real time. Covalent attachment of the OTA–BSA conjugates through gold nanoparticles was also tested for amplifying the signal. Binding of the excess of antibodies to the immobilized OTA in an indirect competitive analysis decreased linearly the resonant frequency in the range of the OTA concentration from 10 to 128 ng/mL, with a detection limit of 8 ng/mL (signal/noise ratio of 3). A pepsin 2 mg/mL (pH = 2.1) solution was used to release antigen–antibody complexes, regenerating the biorecognition surface.     

Development of an immunosensor for human ferritin, a nonspecific tumor marker, based on a quartz crystal microbalance

A new human ferritin immunosensor was developed using anti-human ferritin antibodies (Abs) immobilized on the gold disc of a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). Two kinds of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) prepared by cystamine-glutaraldehyde and cystamine method were applied to immobilize anti-ferritin monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) and polyclonal antibodies (PoAbs) on the quartz, respectively. The reusabilities of quartz crystal adopting the SAMs were found to be better than those of the other immobilization methods used. The 10 cycles of measurements could be performed on the gold surface of the same crystal regenerated with a solution of glycine·HC1. This sensor system could be continuously performed for 15 days, the relative frequency shifts (the frequency shifts measured are relative to the response at the first day) were all found to be above 95%. A linear relationship existed between the frequency shifts (Hz) and the log values of human ferritin concentrations in the range from 0.1 to 100 ng/ml in buffer and mouse serum. This human ferritin immunosensor had some advantages: high sensitivity, high specificity, low sample requirement, high reusability, no label and no pretreatment etc.     

Label‐Free Detection of Bisphenol A Using a Potentiometric Immunosensor

A potentiometric immunosensor for the label‐free detection of bisphenol A (BPA) was developed by covalently immobilizing a polyclonal antibody (PAb) onto the surface of a carboxylated poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC‐COOH) membrane. The immunosensor was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The immobilization of PAb and its interaction with antigen (Ag) and BPA were also confirmed by quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) studies. Experimental parameters affecting the immuno‐interaction between PAb and its Ag or BPA were examined in terms of pH, antibody concentration, and temperature. The immunosensor showed a specific recognition of BPA with less interference than 4.8% from other common phenolic compounds. A calibration plot was obtained between 1.0 and 30.0 ng/mL and the detection limit was determined to be 0.6 ng/mL. The proposed immunosensor was applied for a real water sample spiked with BPA and the recoveries were in the range between 102.5 and 105.7%.     

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with isotope dilution time-of-flight mass spectrometry for the measurement of dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls in foodstuffs. Comparison with other methods

A comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC x GC-TOF-MS) experimental setup was tested for the measurement of seven 2,3,7,8-substituted polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), ten 2,3,7,8-substituted polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), four non-ortho-polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), eight mono-ortho-PCBs, and six indicator PCBs (Aroclor 1260) in foodstuff samples. A 40m RTX-500 (0.18mm I.D., 0.10 microm df) was used as the first dimension (1D) and a 1.5 m BPX-50 (0.10mm I.D., 0.10 microm df) as the second dimension (2D). The GC x GC chromatographic separation was completed in 45 min. Quantification was performed using 13C-label isotope dilution (ID). Isotope ratios of the selected quantification ions were checked against theoretical values prior to peak assignment and quantification. The dynamic working range spanned three orders of magnitude. The lowest detectable amount of 2,3,7,8-TCDD was 0.2 pg. Fish, pork, and milk samples were considered. On a congener basis, the GC x GC-ID-TOF-MS method was compared to the reference GC-ID high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) method and to the alternative GC-ID tandem-in-time quadrupole ion storage mass spectrometry (QIST-MS/MS). PCB levels ranged from low picogram (pg) to low nanogram (ng) per gram of sample and data compared very well between the different methods. For all matrices, PCDD/Fs were at a low pg level (0.05-3 pg) on a fresh weight basis. Although congener profiles were accurately described, RSDs of GC x GC-ID-TOF-MS and GC-QIST-MS/MS were much higher than for GC-ID-HRMS, especially for low level pork and milk. On a toxic equivalent (TEQ) basis, all methods, including the dioxin-responsive chemically activated luciferase gene expression (DR-CALUX) assay, produced similar responses. A cost comparison is also presented.     

A novel piezoelectric immunosensor for the detection of malarial Plasmodium falciparum histidine rich protein-2 antigen

A novel piezoelectric (PZ) immunosensor for the direct detection of malarial Plasmodium falciparum histidine rich protein-2 (PfHRP-2) antigen was developed. The mixed self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of thioctic acid and 1-dodecanethiol were formed on gold surface of quartz crystal. Cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and surface Raman spectroscopy techniques were used to characterize the mixed SAMs. The rabbit anti-PfHRP-2 antibodies were coupled on mixed SAM modified gold surface of quartz crystal via NHS/EDC activation method. The PZ immunosensor was applied to detect PfHRP-2 in the linear range of 15-60 ng/ml with a detection limit of 12 ng/ml. It was also found that even after 14 days of storage, 50% of the activity still remained. Clinical human serum samples were tested with this method, and the results were in agreement with those obtained from commercially available ICT kit (NOW^® Malaria).     

An impedimetric immunosensor for the detection of autoantibodies directed against gliadins

An immunosensor has been developed for the detection of autoantibodies directed against wheat gliadin, a protein fraction of cereal gluten which is involved in celiac disease. The immunosensor is based on the immobilization of gliadins onto gold electrodes covered with a polyelectrolyte layer of poly(4-styrenesulfonic acid sodium salt). The immobilization was monitored by quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) analysis. The antigen-antibody interaction signal was amplified by an incubation step with peroxidase-labeled immunoglobulins and subsequent peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of 3-amino-9-ethylcarbazole (AEC). Changes in the insulating properties of the electrode layer were measured by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in the presence of ferri/ferro-cyanide. Impedance spectra could be fitted to a Randles equivalent circuit with high accuracy. Exposing the sensor electrodes to various antigliadin antibody concentrations resulted in proportional changes in the charge transfer resistance. A calibration graph for the detection of antigliadin antibodies was established for antibody concentrations between 10(-8) and 10(-6) M. Finally, the sensor was used for the determination of antigliadin autoantibodies of the IgG and IgA type in several human sera.