Electrochemical nitric oxide sensor preparation: a comparison of two electrochemical methods of electrode surface modification.

Platinum electrodes modified with Mn(II) 5-(N-(8-pyrrole-yl-3,6-dioxa-1-aminooctane)phenylamide-10,15,20-trimethoxyphenylporphyrin (Mn(II)triOMeTCPPyP) using multi-sweep cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse amperometry were evaluated as electrocatalytic surfaces for the oxidation of nitric oxide. The electrodes modified using the pulse amperometric approach were more sensitive towards the detection of nitric oxide. The increased sensitivity led to the attainment of a wider linear dynamic range for the quantification of nitric oxide.

Sequential-injection stripping analysis of nifuroxime using DNA-modified glassy carbon electrodes.

The voltammetric behavior of nifuroxime was investigated comparing stationary voltammetric methods with the recently proposed sequential-injection stripping analysis (SISA), by using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential-pulse voltammetry at bare and DNA-modified glassy carbon (GC) electrodes. In cyclic voltammetry, reduction of nifuroxime at DNA-modified electrodes gives rise to a well-defined peak, and in contrast to bare GC surfaces, a re-oxidation peak could be observed. Optimization of the pre-concentration process at the DNA-modified surface led to a significant enhancement of the voltammetric current response, a better defined peak shape and an improved dynamic range. Based on this optimized voltammetric procedure, SISA has been evaluated for the determination of nifuroxime. The flow-system significantly facilitates the regeneration of the DNA-modified electrode surface, hence diminishing problems related to accumulation and memory effects. The linear detection range could be extended to 65 microM with a detection limit (3 s) of 0.68 microM, which corresponds to an absolute amount of 21 ng nifuroxime.

Microelectrochemical visualization of oxygen consumption of single living cells.

The detection of cellular respiration activity is important for the assessment of the status of a biological cell. Due to its non-invasive character and high spatial resolution scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) is a powerful tool for single cell measurements. Common limitations of respiration studies performed by SECM are discussed and strategies provided to further adapt SECM detection schemes to the specific requirements for the investigation of single cell respiration. In particular the combination of a potential pulse technique in the redox competition mode of SECM with a shearforce-based constant-distance positioning of the SECM tip is proposed for characterising the impact of the tip reaction during SECM imaging. The adjustment of the driving force of the tip reaction and the selection of the time for data acquisition after applying the potential pulse allowed a successful visualization of cell respiration activity.

Pyrrole functionalised metalloporphyrins as electrocatalysts for the oxidation of nitric oxide.

Pyrrole-functionalised tetracarboxyphenyl porphyrin and trimethoxyphenylcarboxy-phenyl porphyrin containing Ni, Mn and Pd as the central metal ion were used to modify Pt-disk microelectrodes (slashed circle 50 mum) (by repetitive cyclic voltammetry, dip-dry and pulse-amperometry methods) for the detection of nitric oxide (NO). Electrodes modified with Mn(II) trimethoxyphenylcarboxyphenyl porphyrin using the pulse amperomery approach, were found to be sensitive, stable and fast in response towards the oxidation of NO. Thus, they were used for the detection of NO release from a population of transformed human umbilical vein endothelial cells (T-HUVEC) into a droplet of electrolyte solution following stimulation with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The electrode surface was covered with an additional layer of Nafion(R) to prevent interference from anionic molecules such as nitrite.

Functionalised electrode array for the detection of nitric oxide released by endothelial cells using different NO-sensing chemistries.

In a preliminary study aimed at developing strategies for the simultaneous detection of various biologically important molecules, a procedure is described that allows the electrochemical detection of nitric oxide (NO) released by a population of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) by using an array of electrodes comprising three individually addressable electrodes. Each electrode in the array was modified with a different NO-sensitive electrocatalyst, thereby demonstrating the possibility of modifying the individual electrodes in an array with different sensing chemistries. This study opens a doorway to the development of arrays of electrodes for the simultaneous detection of multiple analytes in a complex environment by suitably tailoring the sensitivity and selectivity of each electrode in the array to a specific analyte in the test medium.