Novel solid inks based on beeswax, graphite and graphene applied to the fabrication of paper-based sensor for galactose determination.

In this study, we present for the first time a simple and novel method for the fabrication of paper-based electrochemical sensors. The device development was carried out in a single stage with a standard wax printer. Hydrophobic zones were delimited with commercial solid ink, while electrodes were generated using new composite solid inks of graphene oxide/graphite/beeswax (GO/GRA/beeswax) and graphite/beeswax (GRA/beeswax). Subsequently, the electrodes were electrochemically activated by applying an overpotential. Various experimental variables for the GO/GRA/beeswax composite synthesis and electrochemical system obtention were evaluated. The activation process was examined by SEM, FTIR, cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and contact angle measurement. These studies showed morphological and chemical changes in the electrode active surface. As a result, the activation stage considerably improved the electron transfer on the electrode. The manufactured device was successfully applied for galactose (Gal) determination. This method presented a linear relation in the Gal concentration range from 84 to 1736 µmol L-1, with a LOD of 0.1 µmol L-1. The variation within and between-assay coefficients were 5.3% and 6.8%, respectively. The strategy here exposed for paper-based electrochemical sensors design is an unprecedented alternative system and represents a promising tool for mass production of economic analytical devices.

First PCR-free electrochemical bioplatform for the detection of mustard Sin a 1 protein as a potential "hidden" food allergen.

A disposable electrochemical PCR-free biosensor for the selective detection of a fragment encoding the protein Sin a 1, a 2S albumin considered a diagnostic marker for sensitization to mustard, is reported. The methodology is based on the formation of DNA/RNA heterohybrids by sandwich hybridization of a specific fragment of the Sin a 1 allergen coding sequence with appropriately designed RNA probes. Labeling with commercial antibodies specific to the heteroduplexes and secondary antibodies conjugated with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was carried out onto the surface of magnetic beads (MBs). Amperometric transduction was undertaken on screen-printed electrodes using H2O2 as enzyme substrate and hydroquinone (HQ) a redox mediator. The electrochemical biosensor allows the simple and fast detection (75 min) of Sin a 1 reaching a limit of detection of 3 pM. The bioplatform was successfully applied to the analysis of the targeted Sin a 1 gene specific region using just 50 ng of non-fragmented denatured genomic DNA extracted from yellow mustard seeds.

Paper-based enzymatic platform coupled to screen printed graphene-modified electrode for the fast neonatal screening of phenylketonuria.

INTRODUCTION: The PKU is an inborn error of amino acid metabolism, in which phenylalanine (Phe) accumulated in the blood causing alterations at the central nervous system. We report a novel paper-based enzymatic platform coupled to screen printed graphene-modified electrode for the neonatal screening of phenylketonuria (PKU0. METHODS: The paper-based analytical device coupled to electrochemical detection (EPAD) is based on the use of paper microzones modified with phenylalanine dehydrogenase enzyme (PheDH). The modified PADs were placed on the surface of an electrode modified with electrochemically reduced graphene (ERGO). PheDH in the presence of NAD+ catalyzes the reversible deamination of Phe to form phenylpyruvate, ammonia, and NADH. The electrochemical oxidation of NADH was monitored by differential pulse amperometry (DPA) at 0.6 V. The method was linear in the concentration range from 1 to 600 µmol/L of Phe with a LOQ of 1 µmol/L and LOD of 0.2 µmol/L. Within day precision was 5.7% across 3 levels of control samples. Between-day precision was 8.3%. The comparison with the standard Phe enzyme assay kit showed good agreement. The time required for the overall assay was <5 min. The non-sophisticated equipment required, the short assay time and the appropriate LOQ and LOD achieved by our EPAD make it an attractive and easy to use alternative compared to existing methods applied to the screening of PKU in neonatal samples.

Development of a nanostructured immunosensor for early and in situ detection of Xanthomonas arboricola in agricultural food production.

We report a microfluidic electrochemical immunosensor for Xanthomonas arboricola (XA) determination, based on the covalently immobilization of monoclonal anti-XA antibody (anti-XA) on a previously amino functionalized SBA-15 in situ synthesized in the central channel of a glass-poly(dimethylsiloxane) microfluidic immunosensor. The synthetized amino-SBA-15 was characterized by N2 adsorption-desorption isotherm, scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy. XA was detected by a direct sandwich immunoassay through an alkaline phosphatase (AP) enzyme-labeled anti-XA conjugate. Later, the substrate p-aminophenyl phosphate was converted to p-aminophenol by AP. The enzymatic product was detected at +100mV on a sputtered gold electrode. The measured current was directly proportional to the level of XA in walnut trees samples. The linear range was from 5 × 102 to 1 × 104CFUmL-1. The detection limit was 1.5 × 102CFUmL-1, and the within- and between-assay coefficients of variation were below 5%. Microfluidic immunosensor is a very promising tool for the early and in situ diagnosis of XA in walnuts avoiding serious economic losses.

Microfluidic immunosensor based on mesoporous silica platform and CMK-3/poly-acrylamide-co-methacrylate of dihydrolipoic acid modified gold electrode for cancer biomarker detection.

We report a hybrid glass-poly (dimethylsiloxane) microfluidic immunosensor for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) determination, based on the covalent immobilization of anti-EGFR antibody (anti-EGFR) on amino-functionalized mesoporous silica (AMS) retained in the central channel of a microfluidic device. The synthetized AMS was characterized by N2 adsorption-desorption isotherm, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) and infrared spectroscopy. The cancer biomarker was quantified in human serum samples by a direct sandwich immunoassay measuring through a horseradish peroxidase-conjugated anti-EGFR. The enzymatic product was detected at -100 mV by amperometry on a sputtering gold electrode, modified with an ordered mesoporous carbon (CMK-3) in a matrix of poly-acrylamide-co-methacrylate of dihydrolipoic acid (poly(AC-co-MDHLA)) through in situ copolymerization. CMK-3/poly(AC-co-MDHLA)/gold was characterized by cyclic voltammetry, EDS and SEM. The measured current was directly proportional to the level of EGFR in human serum samples. The linear range was from 0.01 ng mL-1 to 50 ng mL-1. The detection limit was 3.03 pg mL-1, and the within- and between-assay coefficients of variation were below 5.20%. The microfluidic immunosensor is a very promising device for the diagnosis of several kinds of epithelial origin carcinomas.

Copper nanoparticles applied to the preconcentration and electrochemical determination of ß-adrenergic agonist: an efficient tool for the control of meat production.

A novel method for preconcentration and electrochemical detection of zinterol in bovine urine samples was developed. In order to improve the limit of detection, the surface of a screen-printed carbon electrode was modified with electrodeposited metal copper nanoparticles. The experimental electrodeposition optimization was performed using a central composite design (CCD), involving the variables: precursor concentration, potential and time applied. Copper nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Mesoporous shuttle-like copper oxide nanoparticles were used for the preconcentration step to avoid interferences with many compounds present in the sample matrix. The optimal working conditions for the preconcentration approach were found by means of both two-level fractional factorial and CCD designs. The obtained enhancement factor for a sample volume of 30 mL was 35 fold. The calibration curve showed linearity between 0.5 and 45 ng mL(-1) and the limit of detection was 0.16 ng mL(-1). The intra and inter assay coefficients of variability were below 4% and 5%; respectively.

Food safety control of zeranol through voltammetric immunosensing on Au-Pt bimetallic nanoparticle surfaces.

This study reports an accurate and sensitive strategy for zeranol (ZER) determination in bovine urine samples. ZER is a mycotoxin widely used as a synthetic growth promoter in the livestock production whose residues could present a potential risk for human health. Therefore, its use as an animal feed additive has been banned in most countries. ZER determination was accomplished using an electrochemical system in which bimetallic Au-Pt nanoparticles (Au-PtNPs) were electro-synthesized on a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE). The obtained Au-PtNP platform was immunofunctionalized using specific anti-ZER antibodies as a strategy to avoid potential interference. After biorecognition, ZER was directly oxidized and detected by square-wave voltammetry (SWV). The Au-PtNP surface was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The limit of detection calculated was 0.01 ng mL(-1) with a wide linear range from 0.03 to 30 ng mL(-1). This method promises to be suitable for ZER quantification in bovine urine samples ensuring food quality and safety, as well as consumer's health.

Ultra sensitive microfluidic immunosensor for determination of clenbuterol in bovine hair samples using electrodeposited gold nanoparticles and magnetic micro particles as bio-affinity platform.

In this article, we report the first integrated microfluidic immunosensor coupled to a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) applied to determination of clenbuterol (CLB) in bovine hair samples. CLB is a member of the ß(2)-agonist drugs which is used in animal production and is banned in Argentine and the European Union. It represents a potential risk and has to be carefully monitored to avoid the illegal use of high amounts of this compound that could result in human food poisoning. In order to perform the CLB detection, the SPCE was modified by gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) electrodeposition. Quantitative determination of CLB was carried out using a competitive indirect immunoassay, method based on the use of anti-CLB antibodies immobilized on magnetic micro particles. The CLB present in bovine hair samples competes immunologically with alkaline phosphatase (AP) enzyme-labeled CLB conjugate for the anti-CLB specific antibodies. Later, p-aminophenyl phosphate was converted to p-aminophenol by AP, and the electroactive product was quantified on AuNPs/SPCE at +0.1 V. The limit of detection for electrochemical method was 0.008 ng mL(-1) and the intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation were below 6%. This being a veterinary control tool very useful for rapid, sensitive and selective detection of CLB in an "in vitro" technique.

Electrochemical detection of a powerful estrogenic endocrine disruptor: ethinylestradiol in water samples through bioseparation procedure.

The synthetic estrogen ethinylestradiol (EE2) is an active component of oral contraceptives (OCs), considered as an endocrine disrupting compound (EDC). It is excreted from humans and released via sewage treatment plant effluents into aquatic environments. EDCs are any environmental pollutant chemical that, once incorporated into an organism, affects the hormonal balance of various species including humans. Its presence in the environment is becoming of great importance in water quality. This paper describes the development of an accurate, sensitive and selective method for capture, preconcentration and determination of EE2 present in water samples using: magnetic particles (MPs) as bioaffinity support for the capture and preconcentration of EE2 and a glassy carbon electrode modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs/GCE) as detection system. The capture procedure was based on the principle of immunoaffinity, the EE2 being extracted from the sample using the anti-EE2 antibodies (anti-EE2 Ab) which were previously immobilized on MPs. Subsequently the analyte desorption was done employing a sulfuric acid solution and the determination of the EE2 in the pre-concentrated solution was carried out by square wave voltammetry (SWV). This method can be used to determine EE2 in the range of 0.035-70 ng L(-1) with a detection limit (LOD) of 0.01 ng L(-1) and R.S.D.<4.20%. The proposed method has been successfully applied to the determination of EE2 in water samples and it has promising analytical applications for the direct determination of EE2 at trace levels.

A microfluidic device based on a screen-printed carbon electrode with electrodeposited gold nanoparticles for the detection of IgG anti-Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies.

In this article we report the development of an integrated microfluidic system coupled to a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) applied to the quantitative determination of IgG specific antibodies present in serum samples of patients that suffer from Chagas disease. This relevant parasitic infection caused by the hemoflagellate protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi represents a major public health concern in Latin America. In order to perform the detection of mentioned antibodies, SPCE coupled to a microfluidic device was modified by electrodeposition of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and functionalized with Trypanosoma cruzi proteins from epimastigote membranes. The developed microfluidic immunosensor with immobilized T. cruzi proteins on the SPCE surface was successfully applied in the detection of specific IgG anti-T. cruzi antibodies, which were allowed to react immunologically with immobilized T. cruzi antigen. After that, labelled antibodies were quantified through the addition of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) enzyme-labeled secondary antibodies specific to human IgG, using 4-tert-butylcatechol (4-TBC) as enzymatic mediator. HRP in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) catalyzes the oxidation of 4-TBC whose back electrochemical reduction was detected on a modified electrode at -100 mV. The calculated detection limit for electrochemical detection was 3.065 ng mL(-1) and the intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation were below 6.95%.

Determination of Ochratoxin A in apples contaminated with Aspergillus ochraceus by using a microfluidic competitive immunosensor with magnetic nanoparticles.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin produced by filamentous fungi of the genus Aspergillus and Penicillium that presents carcinogenic, teratogenic and nephrotoxic properties. In this work, we have developed, characterized and applied an immunoassay methodology comprised of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) as platform for immobilizing bioactive materials incorporated into a microfluidic system for rapid and sensitive quantification of Ochratoxin A (OTA) in apples (Red Delicious) contaminated with Aspergillus ochraceus. The sensor has the potential for automation and the detection of OTA was carried out using a competitive indirect immunoassay method based on the use of anti-OTA monoclonal antibodies immobilized on 3-aminopropyl-modified MNPs. The total assay time into the microfluidic competitive immunosensor was 16 min, and the calculated detection limit was 0.05 µg kg(-1). Moreover, the intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation were below 6.5%. The proposed method can be a very promising analytical tool for the determination of OTA in apparently healthy fruits post-harvest and for its application in the agricultural industry.

Microfluidic immunosensor with gold nanoparticle platform for the determination of immunoglobulin G anti-Echinococcus granulosus antibodies.

This article describes a microfluidic immunosensor, developed for the detection of IgG antibodies specific to Echinococcus granulosus in human serum samples, which represents an alternative tool that can be used for the immunodiagnosis of hydatidosis in an automated way. Our device consists of a Plexiglas system with a central channel and a gold electrode. For immobilization of the E. granulosus antigen, a gold electrode was modified with the incorporation of gold nanoparticles. Immobilized antigen was allowed to react with IgG-anti-E. granulosus antibodies in samples, and these were quantified by horseradish peroxidase (HRP) enzyme-labeled secondary antibodies specific to human IgG using catechol (Q) as enzymatic mediator. HRP in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) catalyzes the oxidation of Q to o-benzoquinone (P). The electrochemical reduction back to Q was detected on the gold electrode (AuE) at -0.15 V. The current obtained was proportional to the activity of the enzyme and to the concentration of antibodies of interest. The detection limit for electrochemical detection was 0.091 ng ml(-1), and the within- and between-assay coefficients of variation were below 6.7%. The proposed system presents many benefits, the more relevant are: reduced complexity and costs that are considered as the most wanted features for the clinical-immunodiagnostic field.

Modified magnetic nanoparticles in an electrochemical method for the ochratoxin A determination in Vitis vinifera red grapes tissues.

This work described the development and characterization of an electrochemical method using square wave voltammetry (SWV) combined with the use of modified magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), which had shown a rapid and sensitive determination of ochratoxin A (OTA) in wine grapes (Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Syrah) post-harvest tissues. The wine grapes were inoculated with Aspergillus ochraceus to obtain OTA in artificially infected samples. The OTA was directly determined using square-wave voltammetry. The current obtained is directly proportional to the concentration of OTA present in the samples. This method has been used for OTA determination in wine grapes and it was validated against a commercial ELISA test kit. The limits of detection calculated for electrochemical detection and the ELISA were 0.02 and 1.9 µg kg(-1), respectively and the coefficients of variation for accuracy and precision dates were below 5.5%. This method promises to be suitable for the detection and quantification of OTA in apparently healthy fruits post-harvest for assuring safety and quality of food as well as consumer's health.

Speciation analysis of selenium in natural water using square-wave voltammetry after preconcentration on activated carbon.

A simple, accurate, sensitive and selective method was described for rapid determination of ultra-trace quantities of selenium. Selenium(IV) was collected on activated carbon (AC) after reduction to elemental Se by l-ascorbic acid. The collected selenium was then dissolved by oxidation reaction with bromate in acidic media and was indirectly determined through the bromide formation using square-wave voltammetry (OSWV). The total amount of Se(IV) and Se(VI) was collected on AC after its reduction by hydrazine. Selenium in the range 0.01-20 microg L(-1) could be determined by this method. The method was used to the determination of Se(IV) and Se(VI) in natural water with satisfactory results.