Nanoporous PtCo-based ultrasensitive enzyme-free immunosensor for zeranol detection.

Nanoporous PtCo alloy was designed as an antibody carrier for preparation of a highly sensitive immunosensor. The immunosensor was constructed by assembling the capture zeranol antibody on thionine decorated graphene nanosheets modified glassy carbon electrode. With an enzyme-free immunosensor mode, the nanoporous PtCo alloy, synthesized by dealloying method, had shown strong electrocatalytic activity toward antigen-antibody reaction. The use of PtCo alloy carrier offered a high amount of antibody on each immunoconjugate, hence amplified the detectable signal from the electro-reaction of dissolved oxygen. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to characterize the recognition of zeranol. Due to the poor conductivity of zeranol, a small amount of zeranol immobilized onto the electrode could result in great change in the electron-transfer resistance. Some factors that would affect the performance of the immunosensor were studied, such as concentration of PtCo, pH, and the ratio of TH to GS. With zeranol concentration range (0.05 to 5.0 ng/mL), the immunosensor exhibited a highly sensitive response to zeranol with a detection limit of 13 pg/mL. The immunosensor was evaluated for bovine urine sample, receiving satisfactory results.