Development of a label-free immunosensor system for detecting plasma cortisol levels in fish.

Fishes display a wide variation in their physiological responses to stress, which is clearly evident in the plasma corticosteroid changes, chiefly cortisol levels in fish. In the present study, we describe a novel label-free immunosensor for detecting plasma cortisol levels. The method is based on immunologic reactions and amperometric measurement using cyclic voltammetry. For the immobilization of the antibody on the surface of sensing electrode, we used a self-assembled monolayer of thiol-containing compounds. Using this electrode, we detect the CV signal change caused by the generation of antigen-antibody complex. The immunosensor showed a response to cortisol levels, and the anodic peak value linearly decreased with a correlation coefficient of 0.990 in diluted plasma. The specificity of the label-free immunosensor system was investigated using other steroid hormones, such as 17α, 20ß-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one, progesterone, estriol, estradiol, and testosterone. The specific detection of cortisol was suggested by a minimal change from -0.32 to 0.51 µA in the anodic peak value of the other steroid hormones. The sensor system was used to determine the plasma cortisol levels in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), and the results were compared with those of the same samples determined using the conventional method (ELISA). A good correlation was obtained between values determined using both methods (correlation coefficient 0.993). These findings suggest that the proposed label-free immunosensor could be useful for rapid and convenient analysis of cortisol levels in fish plasma samples.

Development of mediator-type biosensor to wirelessly monitor whole cholesterol concentration in fish.

We developed a wireless monitoring system to monitor fish condition by tracking the change in whole cholesterol concentration. The whole cholesterol concentration of fish is a source of steroid hormones or indicator of immunity level, which makes its detection important for tracking physiological condition of fish. Wireless monitoring system comprises of mediator-type biosensor and wireless transmission device. Biosensor is implantable to fish body, and transmission device is so light, in that fish is allowed to swim freely during monitoring. Cholesterol esterase and oxidase were fixated on to the detection site of biosensor and used to detect the whole cholesterol concentration. However, cholesterol oxidase incorporates oxidation-reduction reaction of oxygen for detection, which concentration fluctuates easily due to change in environmental condition. Meanwhile, mediator-type biosensor enables monitoring of whole cholesterol concentration by using mediator to substitute that oxidation-reduction reaction of oxygen. Characteristic of fabricated mediator-type biosensor was tested. The sensor output current of mediator-type biosensor remained stable compared to output current of non-mediator-type biosensor under fluctuating oxygen concentration of 0-8 ppm, which implied that this sensor is less affected by change in dissolved oxygen concentration. That biosensor was then implanted into fish for wireless monitoring. As a result, approximately 48 h of real-time monitoring was successful.

Carbon nanotube enhanced label-free immunosensor for amperometric determination of oocyte maturation-inducing hormone in fish.

Maintaining high-quality fish eggs stably and efficiently is important for aquaculture. We developed a label-free immunosensor system for measuring 17,20ß-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP). DHP is suddenly secreted before ovulation as a maturation-inducing hormone in fish, and therefore, DHP levels are an indicator for predicting ovulation. The method is based on immunologic reactions and amperometric measurement using cyclic voltammetry (CV). For biomolecular immobilization on the surface of sensing electrode, Au electrode, we used self-assembled monolayers of thiol-containing compounds to fix anti-DHP immunoglobulin. In addition, we used a single-walled carbon nanotube to improve sensitivity. Using this electrode, we were able to determine the CV signal change caused by the antigen-antibody complex. The proposed immunosensor system showed a linear correlation (correlation coefficient: 0.9827) between the anodic peak current of the CV and the DHP level in range from 15.6 to 50,000 pg ml(-1). The sensor system was then applied to monitor DHP of goldfish (Carassius auratus). Blood plasma of fish was collected every 3 h after administering a DHP inducer. In the measurement, the anodic peak current of the CV showed distinct changes depending on DHP levels in the blood plasma. A good relationship was observed between DHP levels determined by our proposed system and the conventional method (correlation coefficient: 0.9351).

Carbon nanotube enhanced mediator-type biosensor for real-time monitoring of glucose concentrations in fish.

We have developed a mediator-type biosensor to rapidly monitor blood glucose concentrations in fish, which are an indicator of stress. Glucose oxidase was used to detect glucose concentrations and ferrocene was used to limit the effect of oxygen. We also improved the sensitivity and durability of the sensor for better performance. Single-walled carbon nanotubes were used to enhance sensor sensitivity. Affixing the carbon nanotubes (30 mg ml(-1)) to the working electrode increased the sensor sensitivity to 61.9 mM nA(-1) mm(-2), twice the value for the sensor without single-walled carbon nanotubes. A fabricated mediator-type biosensor sensor was used to perform real-time in vivo measurements. The sensor was implanted into the interstitial fluid of a fish eyeball, and detection was transmitted to a personal computer by a wireless potentiostat. Continuous measurement of the glucose concentration was possible for 78 hours. Stress was artificially applied to the fish during the measurement, and the change of blood glucose concentrations were observed. Our proposed sensor is applicable for effectively monitoring stress in free-swimming fish.

Wireless biosensor system for real-time L-lactic acid monitoring in fish.

We have developed a wireless biosensor system to continuously monitor L-lactic acid concentrations in fish. The blood L-lactic acid level of fish is a barometer of stress. The biosensor comprised Pt-Ir wire (φ0.178 mm) as the working electrode and Ag/AgCl paste as the reference electrode. Lactate oxidase was immobilized on the working electrode using glutaraldehyde. The sensor calibration was linear and good correlated with L-lactic acid levels (R = 0.9959) in the range of 0.04 to 6.0 mg · dL(-1). We used the eyeball interstitial sclera fluid (EISF) as the site of sensor implantation. The blood L-lactic acid levels correlated closely with the EISF L-lactic acid levels in the range of 3 to 13 mg · dL(-1) (R = 0.8173, n = 26). Wireless monitoring of L-lactic acid was performed using the sensor system in free-swimming fish in an aquarium. The sensor response was stable for over 60 h. Thus, our biosensor provided a rapid and convenient method for real-time monitoring of L-lactic acid levels in fish.

Immunomagnetic separation using carbonyl iron powder and flow cytometry for rapid detection of Flavobacterium psychrophilum.

Bacterial cold water disease, caused by Flavobacterium psychrophilum, is a serious problem in the aquaculture industry worldwide. Several methods to prevent and treat cold water disease have been studied. Although detection at the early stage of F. psychrophilum infection is very important for the prevention and treatment of cold water disease, an effective detection method has not yet been developed. The use of flow cytometry (FCM) for the rapid determination of bacterial cell numbers with high sensitivity is beginning to attract attention. Immunomagnetic separation (IMS) has also been used to detect F. psychrophilum. The purpose of the present study was to develop a method to quickly determine the number of bacterial cells by combining the FCM and IMS methods. Because samples can be more effectively concentrated using smaller magnetic beads and stronger magnetism, we used carbonyl iron powder as the magnetic beads for the IMS. The detection level of F. psychrophilum using FCM combined with IMS was 5 orders lower than that using FCM without IMS. The values determined using FCM combined with IMS strongly correlated with those obtained using the colony-counting method, in the range of approximately 10-10(8) colony-forming units per milliliter. One FCM assay could be completed within 60 s and the total assay time, including sample preparation, was less than 2 h. The combined method of FCM with IMS developed in this study can be used reliably for the rapid detection of F. psychrophilum.

Rapid direct determination using combined separation by prepared immunomagnetic and flow cytometry of Flavobacterium psychrophilum.

Flavobacterium psychrophilum, the causative agent of bacterial cold-water disease (BCWD), was originally isolated from coho salmon Oncorhychus kisutch in the USA. Bacterial cold-water disease has since been spreading throughout Japan and has caused serious damage to populations of ayu Plecoglossus altivel in many farms and rivers. The rapid method of detecting for F. psuchrophilum is requested, however, traditional methods are laborious because of complicated assay procedures. In this study, a rapid method of detecting F. psychrophilum was developed using a modified method of flow cytometry (FCM) analysis and immunomagnetic separation (IMS). Magnetic iron, in small particles, was prepared by the reaction of a mixture of ferric and ferrous ions under alkaline conditions. The particles were coated with antiserum against F. psychrophilum by dextran. Polyclonal antibodies (anti-F. psychrophilum) conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) were reacted with F. psychrophilum, and then prepared immunomagnetic were applied using IMS, followed by FCM determination. A good correlation was observed between the cell numbers determined by the FCM method and the traditional method in the range of 10(2)-10(8) cells ml(-1). The FCM analysis could count cells within 1min, and the total analysis time, including sample preparation, was less than 2 h.

Wireless enzyme sensor system for real-time monitoring of blood glucose levels in fish.

Periodic checks of fish health and the rapid detection of abnormalities are thus necessary at fish farms. Several studies indicate that blood glucose levels closely correlate to stress levels in fish and represent the state of respiratory or nutritional disturbance. We prepared a wireless enzyme sensor system to determine blood glucose levels in fish. It can be rapidly and conveniently monitored using the newly developed needle-type enzyme sensor, consisting of a Pt-Ir wire, Ag/AgCl paste, and glucose oxidase. To prevent the effects of interfering anionic species, such as uric acid and ascorbic acid, on the sensor response, the Pt-Ir electrode was coated with Nafion, and then glucose oxidase was immobilized on the coated electrode. The calibration curve of the glucose concentration was linear, from 0.18 to 144mg/dl, and the detection limit was 0.18mg/dl. The sensor was used to wirelessly monitor fish glucose levels. The sensor-calibrated glucose levels and actual blood glucose levels were in excellent agreement. The fluid of the inner sclera of the fish eyeball (EISF) was a suitable site for sensor implantation to obtain glucose sample. There was a close correlation between glucose concentrations in the EISF and those in the blood. Glucose concentrations in fish blood could be monitored in free-swimming fish in an aquarium for 3 days.

Wireless biosensor system for real-time cholesterol monitoring in fish "Nile tilapia".

The rapidly increasing demand for cultured fish as a food resource requires simple, effective methods for controlling fish health in culture conditions. Plasma total cholesterol levels are significantly related to fish mortality following bacterial challenge, and are thus a good indicator of the general health of fish. We developed a wireless biosensor system to continuously monitor the total cholesterol concentration in fish (Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus). The biosensor was constructed with Pt-Ir wire (phi0.178 mm) as the working electrode and Ag/AgCl paste as the reference electrode. Cholesterol oxidase and cholesterol esterase were immobilized on the working electrode using glutaraldehyde. The sensor output was linear and strongly correlated with the cholesterol level (R=0.9970) in the range of 2.65-403 mg dl(-1). This range covers the range of total cholesterol levels in fish. To avoid blood coagulation and proteins coalescing on the sensor, we implanted the sensor in the fluid under the scleral surface of the eyeball (EISF). The EISF is presumed to reflect the levels of most blood components and does not include the substances contained in blood that inhibit sensor measurement. Total cholesterol concentrations in blood and EISF were strongly correlated (R=0.8818, n=72) in the blood total cholesterol range of 74-480 mg dl(-1). Therefore, we used EISF as an alternative to blood and performed continuous in vivo-monitoring of the total cholesterol concentration in fish. We also investigated the application of the calibration method and wireless monitoring system. These applications enabled us to securely monitor total cholesterol levels in free-swimming fish in an aquarium for over 40 h. Thus, our newly developed sensor provided a rapid and convenient method for real-time monitoring of total cholesterol concentrations in free-swimming fish.

Combination of immunomagnetic separation with flow cytometry for detection of Listeria monocytogenes.

Listeria monocytogenes can grow at the low temperature commonly used in the storage and transportation of food, and the number of cases of food poisoning caused by L. monocytogenes has increased recently in the US and Europe. Several methods of detecting L. monocytogenes cells have been proposed; however, all existing methods require approximately 48 h incubation. In this study, we attempted rapid detection of L. monocytogenes using flow cytometry (FCM). The method is based on measuring the number of L. monocytogenes cells by using a combination of FCM and immunomagnetic separation (IMS). First, polyclonal antibodies (anti-L. monocytogenes rabbit IgG-FITC) conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) were reacted with L. monocytogenes cells, and then FCM was applied. The cell numbers were determined by FCM using a traditional colony-counting method in the range of 10(4)-10(8) cells ml(-1). Tetrameric antibody complexes (TAC) were used because they can recognize both magnetic and FITC molecules on the FITC-conjugated antibodies. FITC-labeled L. monocytogenes cells were reacted with a secondary antibody (TAC) bound to magnetic beads. Then, IMS was used. The method is suitable for detection in the range of 10(2)-10(8)cells ml(-1). The FCM assay enumerated the cells within 1 min and the total assay time, including sample preparation, was less than 2 h.