Determination of L-cysteine in amino acid mixture and human urine by flow-injection analysis with a biamperometric detector

Smartphone-assisted colorimetric detection of uric acid based on the enhanced peroxidase-like activity of Cu doping Prussian blue

Monitoring uric acid (UA) level in body fluids is of great significance for clinical diagnosis and treatment of related diseases. Herein, we introduce a simple smartphone-assisted colorimetric sensing platform for detection of UA. The experiment exhibited that the peroxidase-like activity of copper-doped Prussian blue (CuPB) could be enhanced by the doping of Cu element on Prussian blue. CuPB displayed excellent peroxidase-like activity and efficiently catalyze the oxidation of 2,2-diazo-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) in the presence of H2O2 to generate a colored radical cation ABTS+, resulting in a absorbance and color-based RGB intensity dual signal output. Hence, a reliable colorimetric and color-based-smartphone assay for detection of UA was constructed based on CuPB-mediated the peroxidase-like activity and UA-trigged inhibition of the ABTS oxidation reaction catalyzed by CuPB. The color change is collected by the built-in camera of smartphone, and the RGB intensity of sample images was processed by Image J. The sensing platform was used for highly sensitive colorimetric and portable detection of UA in human urine within 6 min with a wide range of linear response from 0.1 to 80 μM, a limit of quantitation of 0.10 μM and a low limit of detection of 0.041 μM (3σ rule). This work demonstrates a novel and versatile strategy to develop superior peroxidase mimics and holds great potential for rapid and portable detection of UA in urine, healthcare and clinical diagnosis, and also open promising avenues for the nursing point detection of UA.

Electrochemical Amino Acid Sensing: A Review on Challenges and Achievements

The rapid growth of research in electrochemistry in the last decade has resulted in a significant advancement in exploiting electrochemical strategies for assessing biological substances. Among these, amino acids are of utmost interest due to their key role in human health. Indeed, an unbalanced amino acid level is the origin of several metabolic and genetic diseases, which has led to a great need for effective and reliable evaluation methods. This review is an effort to summarize and present both challenges and achievements in electrochemical amino acid sensing from the last decade (from 2010 onwards) to show where limitations and advantages stem from. In this review, we place special emphasis on five well-known electroactive amino acids, namely cysteine, tyrosine, tryptophan, methionine and histidine. The recent research and achievements in this area and significant performance metrics of the proposed electrochemical sensors, including the limit of detection, sensitivity, stability, linear dynamic range(s) and applicability in real sample analysis, are summarized and presented in separate sections. More than 400 recent scientific studies were included in this review to portray a rich set of ideas and exemplify the capabilities of the electrochemical strategies to detect these essential biomolecules at trace and even ultra-trace levels. Finally, we discuss, in the last section, the remaining issues and the opportunities to push the boundaries of our knowledge in amino acid electrochemistry even further.

BODIPY-based Fluorescent Probe for the Detection of Cysteine in Living Cells

Cysteine (Cys), as one of the important amino acids, plays a vital role in various physiological and pathological processes. Hence, it is meaningful to develop a convenient and sensitive detection method. Herein, a novel BODIPY-based fluorescent probe (BDP-DM) was developed, which had a higher selectivity for Cys than other amino acids, including homocysteine (Hcy) and glutathione (GSH). Ultimately, we concluded that the BDP-DM probe could be used to successfully detected intracellular Cys in living HeLa cells.

Carbon quantum dot-AgOH colloid fluorescent probe for selective detection of biothiols based on the inner filter effect

Here, we present a selective and sensitive fluorescent probe for the detection and distinction of biothiols, such as glutathione (GSH) and cysteine (Cys). The adsorbance of Cys onto the surface of AgOH colloid could result in enhanced absorbance from 250 to 400 nm in the UV-vis absorption spectrum, while the addition of GSH could dissolve the AgOH colloid resulting in no change in the UV-vis absorption spectrum. Utilizing these different phenomena, two fluorescent probes were established based on the inner filter effect (IFE). The first probe, the "CDs-AgOH colloid" fluorescent probe, was used to quantitatively analyze Cys over a linear concentration range from 33 to 317 μM and a detection limit of 7.2 μM. The second probe, the "CDs-AgOH colloid-Cys" fluorescent probe, was used to quantitatively analyze GSH, with a detection limit down to 3.6 μM, and a linear range of detection of approximately 16.7 to 100 μM. The fluorescent probes were successfully applied for the detection of GSH in a fetal bovine serum (FBS) sample. Based on these results, IFE is considered to be an effective way to distinguish GSH and Cys.

A novel fluorescent probe for rapidly detection cysteine in cystinuria urine, living cancer/normal cells and BALB/c nude mice

Cysteine (Cys), an important organic small molecule containing sulfhydryl groups, plays paramount functions in human pathologies and physiologies. The detection of Cys in living vivo is essential for studying its roles. Here, we designed and synthesized a novel red-emission fluorescent probe AXPI-Cys with highly sensitivity (LOD = 48.9 ± 0.23 nM), rapidly response (<7 min) and colorimetric for detection cysteine. More importantly, the AXPI-Cys was determined Cys in real cystinuria urine samples for the first time with the satisfactory results (92%-99.96%) and employed for specifically location of endogenous/exogenous Cys in living cancer/normal cells and almost non-toxic, that is very valuable for diagnosis of cystinuria and observation of the distribution of Cys in normal cells. Notably, the AXPI-Cys was applied to imaging Cys in BALB/c nude mice with good biocompatibility and desirable tissue-penetration depth. Owing to the superior capability of AXPI-Cys, it provided a desired method to detect Cys in urine samples and cells, and exhibited munificent potential usage in biosystems and imaging studies in vivo.

A series of BODIPY-based probes for the detection of cysteine and homocysteine in living cells

Biothiols, such as glutathione (GSH), homocysteine (Hcy) and cysteine (Cys), are important biomarkers and play crucial roles in many physiological processes. Thus, the detection of biothiols is highly important for early diagnosis of diseases and evaluation of disease progression. Herein, new types of BODIPY-based fluorescent probes (probe 1, probe 2 and probe 3) capable of cysteine (Cys)/homocysteine (Hcy) sensing with high selectivity over other amino acids were developed. In addition, we further studied the influence of different electronegativity substituents on these probes to sensing Cys/Hcy. Ultimately, we concluded that the electron withdrawing group on probe 1 can accelerate the probe response to Cys/Hcy, and probe 1 was successfully applied for selective imaging Cys/Hcy in living cells.

One-Step Synthesis of CuO-Cu2O Heterojunction by Flame Spray Pyrolysis for Cathodic Photoelectrochemical Sensing of l-Cysteine

CuO-Cu₂O heterojunction was synthesized via a one-step flame spray pyrolysis (FSP) process and employed as photoactive material in construction of a photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensing device. The surface analysis showed that CuO-Cu₂O nanocomposites in the size less than 10 nm were formed and uniformly distributed on the electrode surface. Under visible light irradiation, the CuO-Cu₂O-coated electrode exhibited admirable cathodic photocurrent response, owing to the favorable property of the CuO-Cu₂O heterojunction such as strong absorption in the visible region and effective separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. On the basis of the interaction of l-cysteine (l-Cys) with Cu-containing compounds via the formation of Cu-S bond, the CuO-Cu₂O was proposed as a PEC sensor for l-Cys detection. A declined photocurrent response of CuO-Cu₂O to addition of l-Cys was observed. Influence factors including CuO-Cu₂O concentration, coating amount of CuO-Cu₂O, and applied bias potential on the PEC response toward l-Cys were optimized. Under optimum conditions, the photocurrent of the proposed sensor was linearly declined with increasing the concentration of l-Cys from 0.2 to 10 μM, with a detection limit (3S/N) of 0.05 μM. Moreover, this PEC sensor displayed high selectivity, reproducibility, and stability. The potential applicability of the proposed PEC sensor was assessed in human urine samples.

Microelectrode generator-collector systems for electrolytic titration: theoretical and practical considerations

Electochemical generator-collector systems, where one electrode is used to generate a reagent, have a potentially large field of application in sensing and measurement. We present a new theoretical description for coplanar microelectrode disc-disc systems where the collector is passive (such as a potentiometric sensor) and the generator is operating at constant flux. This solution is then used to develop a leading order solution for such a system where the reagent reacts reversibly in solution, such as in acid-base titration, where a hydrogen ion flux is generated by electrolysis of water. The principal novel result of the theory is that such devices are constrained by a maximum reagent flux. The hydrogen ion concentration at the collector will only reflect the buffer capacity of the bulk solution if this constraint is met. Both mathematical solutions are evaluated with several microfabricated devices and reasonable agreement with theory is demonstrated.

An Ir(III) complex chemosensor for the detection of thiols

In this study, we report the use of a cyclometalated luminescent iridium(III) complex for the visualization of thiols. The detection of glutathione (GSH) by complex 1 is achieved through the reduction of its phendione N^N donor, which influences the metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) of the complex. Complex 1 produced a maximum threefold luminescence enhancement at 587 nm in response to GSH. The linear detection range of 1 for GSH is between 0.2 and 2 M equivalents of GSH, with a detection limit of 1.67 μM. Complex 1 also displays good selectivity for thiols over other amino acids.

DNA sensors and aptasensors based on the hemin/G-quadruplex-controlled aggregation of Au NPs in the presence of L-cysteine

L-cysteine induces the aggregation of Au nanoparticles (NPs), resulting in a color transition from red to blue due to interparticle plasmonic coupling in the aggregated structure. The hemin/G-quadruplex horseradish peroxidase-mimicking DNAzyme catalyzes the aerobic oxidation of L-cysteine to cystine, a process that inhibits the aggregation of the NPs. The degree of inhibition of the aggregation process is controlled by the concentration of the DNAzyme in the system. These functions are implemented to develop sensing platforms for the detection of a target DNA, for the analysis of aptamer-substrate complexes, and for the analysis of L-cysteine in human urine samples. A hairpin DNA structure that includes a recognition site for the DNA analyte and a caged G-quadruplex sequence, is opened in the presence of the target DNA. The resulting self-assembled hemin/G-quadruplex acts as catalyst that controls the aggregation of the Au NPs. Also, the thrombin-binding aptamer folds into a G-quadruplex nanostructure upon binding to thrombin. The association of hemin to the resulting G-quadruplex aptamer-thrombin complex leads to a catalytic label that controls the L-cysteine-mediated aggregation of the Au NPs. The hemin/G-qaudruplex-controlled aggregation of Au NPs process is further implemented for visual and spectroscopic detection of L-cysteine concentration in urine samples.

A label-free fluorescent probe for Hg²⁺ and biothiols based on graphene oxide and Ru-complex

A novel, selective and sensitive switch-on fluorescent sensor for Hg(2+) and switch-off fluorescent probe for biothiols was developed by using [Ru(bpy)₂(pip)](2+) as the signal reporter and graphene oxide (GO) as the quencher. Due to the affinity of GO towards single-stranded DNA (ss-DNA) and [Ru(bpy)₂(pip)](2+), the three components assembled, resulting in fluorescence quenching. Upon addition of Hg(2+), a double-stranded DNA (ds-DNA) via T-Hg(2+)-T base pairs was formed, and [Ru(bpy)₂(pip)](2+) intercalated into the newly formed ds-DNA. Then, [Ru(bpy)₂(pip)](2+) and ds-DNA were removed from the surface of GO, resulting in the restoration of fluorescence. Subsequently, upon addition of biothiols, Hg(2+) was released from ds-DNA, due to the higher affinity of Hg(2+) to the sulfur atoms of biothiols, which could induce ds-DNA unwinding to form ss-DNA. Then ss-DNA and [Ru(bpy)₂(pip)](2+) were adsorbed on the surface of GO, the fluorescence of [Ru(bpy)₂(pip)](2+) was quenched again. Therefore, the changes in emission intensity of [Ru(bpy)₂(pip)](2+) directly correlated to the amount of detection target (Hg(2+) or biothiols) in solution. The assay exhibited high sensitivity and selectivity, with the limits of detection for Hg(2+), cysteine (Cys) and glutathione (GSH) to be 2.34 nM, 6.20 nM and 4.60 nM, respectively.

AuNP based selective colorimetric sensor for cysteine at a wide pH range: investigation of capping molecule structure on the colorimetric sensing and catalytic properties

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) stabilized with different surfactants, SDS, PEG, PVA, PVP, PSS and T-80, were synthesized and explored for cysteine colorimetric sensing and catalytic properties.

A luminescent G-quadruplex switch-on probe for the highly selective and tunable detection of cysteine and glutathione

A G-quadruplex-selective luminescent iridium(III) switch-on probe has been developed for the detection of cysteine (Cys) in aqueous solution. The system is highly sensitive and selective towards Cys with a tunable range of detection. The detection of glutathione (GSH) is also examined.

A highly sensitive and selective competition assay for the detection of cysteine using mercury-specific DNA, Hg and Sybr Green I

We here report a rapid, sensitive, selective and label-free fluorescence detection method for cysteine (Cys). The conformation of mercury-specific DNA (MSD) changes from a random coil form to a hairpin structure in the presence of Hg2+ due to the formation of a thymine-Hg2+ -thymine (T-Hg2+ -T) complex. Cys can selectively coordinate with Hg2+ and extract it from the thymine-Hg2+ -thymine complex. The hairpin structure dehybridizes and the fluorescence intensity of Sybr Green I (SG) decreases upon addition of Cys because SG efficiently discriminates mercury-specific DNA and mercury-specific DNA/Hg2+ complex. The detection can be finished within 5 min with high sensitivity and selectivity. In addition, we can obtain variable dynamic ranges for Cys by changing the concentration of MSD/Hg2+.

Cyclic biamperometry at micro-interdigitated electrodes

Cyclic biamperometry was studied as an analytical method for use with commercially available, comb-type, coplanar microinterdigitated electrodes (μIDEs), using the ferri-/ferrocyanide redox couple as a model analyte. The μIDEs studied in this work were made of gold that had been deposited onto a Ti/W adhesion layer on borosilicate glass chips and had 5 and 10 μm bands with equal gap sizes. Close proximity of the two working electrodes, and their interdigitation, resulted in signal amplification by redox cycling. Results were compared with those obtained by cyclic voltammetry, where one of the two IDE electrodes was used as the working electrode and external reference and auxiliary electrodes were used. Amplification factors of almost 20 were achieved due to redox cycling. Attempts to apply cyclic voltammetry to the μIDEs, with one of the combs as the working and the other as the auxiliary electrode, were unsuccessful due to corrosion of the auxiliary electrode comb. Results of this study, and the electrochemically unique feature of biamperometry to probe but not change the net contents of the medium under examination, suggest the applicability of scanning biamperometry at μIDEs to the very small volumes and electrochemical cell dimensions that are now of great interest.

Flow-injection determination of cysteine in pharmaceuticals based on luminol-persulphate chemiluminescence detection

A flow injection (FI) method is reported for the determination of l-cysteine, based on its enhancement on chemiluminescence (CL) emission of luminol oxidized by sodium persulphate in alkaline solution. The calibration graph was linear over the range 1.0 x 10(-9)-5.0 x 10(-7) mol/L (r(2) = 0.9992), with relative standard deviations (RSDs) in the range 1.1-2.3% (n = 4). The limit of detection (3 sigma blank) was 5.0 x 10(-10) mol/L with a sample throughput of 120/h. The method was applied to pharmaceuticals and the results obtained were in reasonable agreement with the amount labelled. The proposed method was also applied to cysteine in synthetic amino acid mixtures. Calibration graphs of N-acetylcysteine and glutathione over the range 1.0-50 x 10(-8) and 0.5-7.5 x 10(-7) mol/L were also established (r(2) = 0.998 and 0.9986) with RSDs in the range 1.0-2.0% (n = 4), and the limits of detection (3 sigma blank) were 5.0 x 10(-9) and 1.0 x 10(-8) mol/L, respectively.

Microplate-compatible biamperometry array for parallel 48-channel amperometric or coulometric measurements

We report a new reusable electrochemical array for parallel biamperometric measurements that has been designed for use with standard microplates. The 48-channel array uses half of the available 96 wells and has 48 pairs of Pt wire electrodes. Applications to the quantitation of a variety of oxidizable species, including acetaminophen, ascorbic acid, hydroquinone, trolox, and uric acid, are demonstrated in assays that use potassium ferricyanide as an oxidant to produce a mixture of ferri- and ferrocyanide. Hydrogen peroxide quantitation is also demonstrated, based on an assay in which ferrocyanide is oxidized, again to produce a mixture of ferri- and ferrocyanide. Detection limits (signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) = 3) in these assays range from 1 (acetaminophen, R2 = 0.994) to 8 microM (ascorbic acid, R2 = 0.967), and linearity was observed to analyte concentrations of at least 100 microM. We also demonstrate the application of the biamperometric array to enzymatic assays, using the glucose oxidase reaction as an example; following a 20 min enzyme reaction time, a detection limit of 0.1 mM glucose was obtained. These results indicate that applications to other oxidase-based assays are feasible in this high-throughput format. The new electrochemical array employs standard, inexpensive microplates, and the biamperometric measurements are simple, precise, and rapid, requiring only 2 min for 48 parallel measurements.

Electrochemiluminescence from successive electro- and chemo-oxidation of rifampicin and its application to the determination of rifampicin in pharmaceutical preparations and human urine

A novel electrochemiluminescence (ECL) type was proposed based on successive electro- and chemo-oxidation of oxidable analyte, which was different from both annihilation and coreactant ECL types in mechanism. Rifampicin was used as a model compound. No any chemiluminescence (CL) was produced by either electrochemical oxidation or chemical oxidation of rifampicin in KH(2)PO(4)--Na(2)B(4)O(7) (pH 6.6) buffer-dodecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (DTAC) solution. However, an ECL was observed by electrochemical oxidization of rifampicin in the same solution in the presence of oxidant such as dissolved oxygen, activated oxygen and potassium peroxydisulfate (K(2)S(2)O(8)). The ECL was attributed to electrochemical oxidation of rifampicin to form semiquinone free radical, and then subsequently chemical oxidation of the formed radical by oxidant to form excited state rifampicin quinone. The proposed ECL type introduced additional advantages such as high selectivity, simple and convenient operation, and effective avoidance of side reaction that often took place in homogenous CL reaction, and will open a novel application field. In addition, with the ECL in the presence of K(2)S(2)O(8) as oxidant, a flow injection ECL method for the determination of rifampicin was proposed. The ECL intensity was linear with rifampicin concentration in the range of 1.0 x 10(-7) to 4.0 x 10(-5) mol l(-1) and the limit of detection (s/n=3) was 3.9 x 10(-8) mol l(-1). The proposed method was applied to the determination of rifampicin in pharmaceutical preparations and human urine.

A simple and rapid flow injection chemiluminescence determination of cysteine with Ru(phen)3(2+)-Ce(IV) system

A new chemiluminescence system was developed for the determination of cysteine by flow injection system. This method is based on the reaction of L-cysteine with Ru(phen)3(2+) and Ce(IV) to produce chemiluminescence. The calibration curve was linear over the range 8.0x10(-7) to 4.0x10(-5) and 4.0x10(-5) to 1.0x10(-3) M with a detection limit of 7.0x10(-7) M (S/N=3). The relative standard deviation of 4.0x10(-6) M cysteine was found 3.5% (n=10). The influence of potential interfering substances was studied. The proposed method was successfully applied for the flow injection determination of cysteine in the real samples with minimum sampling rate of 90 sample/h.

Electrochemical strategies for the label-free detection of amino acids, peptides and proteins

Electrochemical methods for the detection of amino acids, peptides, and proteins in a variety of media are reviewed. Label-free strategies in which the detection is based on the inherent electrochemical properties of the analyte are discussed. Various processes such as direct or mediated (in solution or immobilised) redox processes and interfacial ion transfers have been employed for the electrochemical detection and determination of the target analytes. The various methods covered encompass voltammetry at uncoated and modified electrodes and at immiscible liquid-liquid interfaces, potentiometry at polymer membrane electrodes and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The determination of the target analytes in complex biological matrices is discussed. The various approaches highlighted here illustrate the rich capabilities of electrochemical methods as simple, low-cost, sensitive tools for the determination of these important biological analytes at trace and ultra-trace levels.

Electrochemiluminescence determination of pipemidic acid using sulfite as energy transfer mediator

An electrochemiluminescence (ECL) based on energy transfer from electro-generated triplet sulfur dioxide to pipemidic acid (PPA) was studied. A weak ECL from triplet sulfur dioxide (3)SO2 * was observed when sulfite was electrochemically oxidized in sulfuric acid solution on a Pt electrode. When PPA was present, the weak ECL was enhanced. The enhanced ECL was attributed to energy transfer from (3)SO2 * to PPA. Based on the enhanced ECL, a flow-injection (FIA) ECL method for the determination of PPA was proposed. The proposed method allowed the measurement of PPA over the range of 1.0x10(-7) to 2.0x10(-5)moll(-1). The detection limit was 3.9x10(-8)moll(-1), and the relative standard deviation for 1.0x10(-6)moll(-1) PPA (n=9) was 1.3%. This method was evaluated by the analysis of PPA in pharmaceutical preparations and urine samples.

Selective determination of cysteine by resonance light scattering technique based on self-assembly of gold nanoparticles

The interaction between cysteine and gold nanoparticles was studied. Through the covalent combination with the -SH group and the electrostatic binding with the -NH3+ group of cysteine, gold nanoparticles can self-assemble to form a network structure, which results in greatly enhanced resonance light scattering (RLS). The experimental results demonstrate that the RLS technique offers a sensitive tool for investigations of self-assembly of nanoparticles. On the other hand, the RLS method can be applied to selectively determine cysteine with high sensitivity and simple operation. The linear range of determination of cysteine is from 0.01 to 0.25 microg/mL with the detection limit of 2.0 ng/mL (16.5 nM, 3sigma). None of the amino acids found in proteins interferes with the determination.