Highly stable and sensitive glucose biosensor based on covalently assembled high density Au nanostructures

Silk-Based Electrochemical Sensor for the Detection of Glucose in Sweat

The development of reliable glucose sensors for noninvasive monitoring is highly desirable and essential for diabetes detection. As a testing sample, sweat is voluminous and is easy to collect compared to blood. However, the application of sweat glucose sensors is generally limited because of their low stability and sensitivity compared to commercial glucometers. In this manuscript, a silk nanofibril (SNF)/reduced graphene oxide (RGO)/glucose oxidase (GOx) composite was developed as the working electrode of the sweat glucose sensor. The SNF/RGO/GOx composite was prepared via a facile two-step process, which involved the self-assembly of SNF from silk fibroin while reducing graphene oxide to RGO and immobilizing GOx on SNF. The SNF/RGO/GOx glucose sensor exhibited a low limit of detection (300 nM) and high sensitivity (18.0 μA/mM) in the sweat glucose range, covering both healthy people and diabetic patients (0-100 μM). Moreover, the SNF/RGO/GOx glucose sensors showed a long stability for at least 4 weeks. Finally, the SNF/RGO/GOx glucose sensor was applied to test the actual sweat samples from two volunteers and two sweating methods (by dry sauna and exercise). The results indicate the glucose data tested by the SNF/RGO/GOx glucose sensor were reliable, which correlated well to the data obtained from the commercial glucometer. Therefore, the SNF/RGO/GOx glucose sensor developed in this study may have a great potential for glucose control in personalized healthcare monitoring and chronic disease management.

Shape- and Size-Controlled Fabrication of Gold Nano-Urchins via Use of a Mixed Sodium Borohydride and Ascorbic Acid Reductant System

Urchin-shaped gold nanoparticles (AuNUs) are anisotropic nanomaterials with unique chemical and physical properties of interest for a variety of applications. However, synthesizing AuNUs with controlled sizes and shapes remains challenging. We demonstrate that a combination of sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) and ascorbic acid (AA) as reducing agents can produce an aqueous dispersion of AuNUs after just 9 min at room temperature (25 °C). The AuNUs were size- and shape-controlled using a molar ratio for NaBH₄/AA/HAuCl₄ = 1:1:1 at pH 3. The added aurate was almost entirely (98.8%) consumed in the formation of AuNUs. The resultant AuNU concentration was 1.1 × 10¹⁰ particles/mL. The diameters observed in transmission electron microscopy were 145.1 ± 37.4 nm. The AuNUs had an average of 12 spikes and an average volume of 3.7 × 10⁵ nm³. The partition volume between the spikes and the core of particles was 3:2. The AuNUs had a pink color and exhibited an absorption wavelength maximum at 540 nm. It is assumed that the AuNUs originate from icosahedral seeds and urchin shapes emerge from connecting smaller-sized seeds and larger-sized core particles.

A Review on Metal- and Metal Oxide-Based Nanozymes: Properties, Mechanisms, and Applications

Since the ferromagnetic (Fe3O4) nanoparticles were firstly reported to exert enzyme-like activity in 2007, extensive research progress in nanozymes has been made with deep investigation of diverse nanozymes and rapid development of related nanotechnologies. As promising alternatives for natural enzymes, nanozymes have broadened the way toward clinical medicine, food safety, environmental monitoring, and chemical production. The past decade has witnessed the rapid development of metal- and metal oxide-based nanozymes owing to their remarkable physicochemical properties in parallel with low cost, high stability, and easy storage. It is widely known that the deep study of catalytic activities and mechanism sheds significant influence on the applications of nanozymes. This review digs into the characteristics and intrinsic properties of metal- and metal oxide-based nanozymes, especially emphasizing their catalytic mechanism and recent applications in biological analysis, relieving inflammation, antibacterial, and cancer therapy. We also conclude the present challenges and provide insights into the future research of nanozymes constituted of metal and metal oxide nanomaterials.

Developing a new colorimetric bioassay for iodide determination based on gold supported iridium peroxidase catalysts

A schematic sketch of the colorimetric bioassay for iodide determination based on gold supported iridium peroxidase catalysts.

Peroxidase-like activity of palladium nanoparticles on hydrogen-bond supramolecular structures over a broader pH range and their application in glucose sensing

To circumvent the complicated natural peroxidases, palladium nanoparticles embedded in melamine cyanurate (MCA-Pd NPs) were synthesized. MCA-Pd NPs catalyzed the oxidation of ABTS2– by H2O2, and the solution turned green, which could be quantified via a typical absorption peak at 420 nm. MCA-Pd NPs had high peroxidase-like activity in a wider pH range than that of natural peroxidases. MCA-Pd NPs were used to develop a colorimetric sensor for H2O2 over the pH range of 7.0 to 11.0, which had same linear range, and their linear regression equations had similar slopes. Moreover, MCA-Pd NPs were applied to establish the biosensor for glucose by using glucose oxidase (GOx); it had a linear range of 5.0–120 μmol/L, with a linear regression equation of A = 0.04926 + 0.00536C (C: μmol/L, R = 0.9960) and a detection limit of 0.3 μmol/L (3σ/slope). When we applied it to detect glucose level in human blood, satisfactory results were obtained.

Electrodeposition⁻Assisted Assembled Multilayer Films of Gold Nanoparticles and Glucose Oxidase onto Polypyrrole-Reduced Graphene Oxide Matrix and Their Electrocatalytic Activity toward Glucose

The study reports a facile and eco-friendly approach for nanomaterial synthesis and enzyme immobilization. A corresponding glucose biosensor was fabricated by immobilizing the gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and glucose oxidase (GOD) multilayer films onto the polypyrrole (PPy)/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) via the electrodeposition and self-assembly. PPy and graphene oxide were first coated on the surface of a bare GCE by the electrodeposition. Then, AuNPs and GOD were alternately immobilized onto PPy-RGO/GCE electrode using the electrodeposition of AuNPs and self-assembly of GOD to obtain AuNPs-GOD multilayer films. The resulting PPy-RGO-(AuNPs-GOD)_n/GCE biosensors were used to characterize and assess their electrocatalytic activity toward glucose using cyclic voltammetry and amperometry. The response current increased with the increased number of AuNPs-GOD layers, and the biosensor based on four layers of AuNPs-GOD showed the best performance. The PPy-RGO-(AuNPs-GOD)₄/GCE electrode can detect glucose in a linear range from 0.2 mM to 8 mM with a good sensitivity of 0.89 μA/mM, and a detection limit of 5.6 μM (S/N = 3). This study presents a promising eco-friendly biosensor platform with advantages of electrodeposition and self-assembly, and would be helpful for the future design of more complex electrochemical detection systems.

Design of Amperometric Biosensors for the Detection of Glucose Prepared by Immobilization of Glucose Oxidase on Conducting (Poly)Thiophene Films

Enzyme-based sensors have emerged as important analytical tools with application in diverse fields, and biosensors for the detection of glucose using the enzyme glucose oxidase have been widely investigated. In this work, the preparation of biosensors by electrochemical polymerization of (poly)thiophenes, namely 2,2'-bithiophene (2,2'-BT) and 4,4'-bis(2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol)-2,2'-bithiophene (4,4'-bBT), followed by immobilization of glucose oxidase on the films, is described. N-cyclohexyl-N'-(2-morpholinoethyl)carbodiimide metho-p-toluenesulfonate (CMC) was used as a condensing agent, and p-benzoquinone (BQ) was used as a redox mediator in solution. The glucose oxidase electrodes with films of 2,2'-BT and 4,4'-bBT were then tested for their ability in detecting glucose from synthetic and real samples (pear, apricot, and peach fruit juices).

Detection of hydrogen peroxide and glucose by using Tb2(MoO4)3 nanoplates as peroxidase mimics

Tb₂(MoO₄)₃ nanostructures are demonstrated for the first time to have an intrinsic peroxidase-like activity. Tb₂(MoO₄)₃ nanoplates could efficiently catalyse the oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) to generate a blue dye (with an absorbance maximum at 652nm) in the presence of H₂O₂. Based on the highly efficient catalytic of Tb₂(MoO₄)₃ nanoplates, a novel system for optical determination of H₂O₂ and glucose was successfully established under optimized conditions. The assay had 0.0.08μM and 0.1μM detection limit for H₂O₂ and glucose, respectively. In our opinion, this enzyme mimetic has a potential to use in other oxidase based assays.

A Review on Microfluidic Paper-Based Analytical Devices for Glucose Detection

Glucose, as an essential substance directly involved in metabolic processes, is closely related to the occurrence of various diseases such as glucose metabolism disorders and islet cell carcinoma. Therefore, it is crucial to develop sensitive, accurate, rapid, and cost effective methods for frequent and convenient detections of glucose. Microfluidic Paper-based Analytical Devices (μPADs) not only satisfying the above requirements but also occupying the advantages of portability and minimal sample consumption, have exhibited great potential in the field of glucose detection. This article reviews and summarizes the most recent improvements in glucose detection in two aspects of colorimetric and electrochemical μPADs. The progressive techniques for fabricating channels on μPADs are also emphasized in this article. With the growth of diabetes and other glucose indication diseases in the underdeveloped and developing countries, low-cost and reliably commercial μPADs for glucose detection will be in unprecedentedly demand.

Manganese dioxide-core–shell hyperbranched chitosan (MnO2–HBCs) nano-structured screen printed electrode for enzymatic glucose biosensors

In this study, the synthesis, characterization and testing of new polymeric–metal oxide nanocomposites for enzymatic glucose biosensors were performed.

A novel bioelectrochemical interface based on in situ synthesis of gold nanostructures on electrode surfaces and surface activation by Meerwein's salt. A bioelectrochemical sensor for glucose determination

A novel effective bioelectrochemical sensor interface for enzyme biosensors is proposed. The method is based on in situ synthesis of gold nanostructures (5-15 nm) on the thin-film electrode surface using the oleylamine (OA) method, which provides a high-density, stable, electrode interface nanoarchitecture. New method to activate the surface of the OA-stabilized nanostructured electrochemical interface for further functionalization with biomolecules (glucose oxidase enzyme) using Meerwein's salt is proposed. Using this approach a new biosensor for glucose determination with improved analytical characteristics: wide working range of 0.06-18.5mM with a sensitivity of 22.6 ± 0.5 μAmM(-1)cm(-2), limit of detection 0.02 mM, high reproducibility, and long lifetime (60 d, 93%) was developed. The surface morphology of the electrodes was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The electrochemical properties of the interface were studied by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy using a Fe(II/III) redox couple. The studies revealed an increase in the electroactive surface area and a decrease in the charge transfer resistance following surface activation with Meerwein's reagent. A remarkably enhanced stability and reproducibility of the sensor was achieved using in situ synthesis of gold nanostructures on the electrode surface, while surface activation with Meerwein's salt proved indispensable in achieving an efficient bioelectrochemical interface.

Highly stable piezo-immunoglobulin-biosensing of a SiO2/ZnO nanogenerator as a self-powered/active biosensor arising from the field effect influenced piezoelectric screening effect

Highly stable piezo-immunoglobulin-biosensing has been realized from a SiO2/ZnO nanowire (NW) nanogenerator (NG) as a self-powered/active biosensor. The piezoelectric output generated by the SiO2/ZnO NW NG can act not only as a power source for driving the device, but also as a sensing signal for detecting immunoglobulin G (IgG). The stability of the device is very high, and the relative standard deviation (RSD) ranges from 1.20% to 4.20%. The limit of detection (LOD) of IgG on the device can reach 5.7 ng mL(-1). The response of the device is in a linear relationship with IgG concentration. The biosensing performance of SiO2/ZnO NWs is much higher than that of bare ZnO NWs. A SiO2 layer uniformly coated on the surface of the ZnO NW acts as the gate insulation layer, which increases mechanical robustness and protects it from the electrical leakages and short circuits. The IgG biomolecules modified on the surface of the SiO2/ZnO NW act as a gate potential, and the field effect can influence the surface electron density of ZnO NWs, which varies the screening effect of free-carriers on the piezoelectric output. The present results demonstrate a feasible approach for a highly stable self-powered/active biosensor.

A sensitive glucose biosensor based on Ag@C core-shell matrix

Nano-Ag particles were coated with colloidal carbon (Ag@C) to improve its biocompatibility and chemical stability for the preparation of biosensor. The core-shell structure was evidenced by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and the Fourier transfer infrared (FTIR) spectra revealed that the carbon shell is rich of function groups such as -OH and -COOH. The as-prepared Ag@C core-shell structure can offer favorable microenvironment for immobilizing glucose oxidase and the direct electrochemistry process of glucose oxidase (GOD) at Ag@C modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was realized. The modified electrode exhibited good response to glucose. Under optimum experimental conditions the biosensor linearly responded to glucose concentration in the range of 0.05-2.5mM, with a detection limit of 0.02mM (S/N=3). The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant (KM(app)) of the biosensor is calculated to be 1.7mM, suggesting high enzymatic activity and affinity toward glucose. In addition, the GOD-Ag@C/Nafion/GCE shows good reproducibility and long-term stability. These results suggested that core-shell structured Ag@C is an ideal matrix for the immobilization of the redox enzymes and further the construction of the sensitive enzyme biosensor.

A label-free hemin/G-quadruplex DNAzyme biosensor developed on electrochemically modified electrodes for detection of a HBV DNA segment

A label-free biosensor based on Au/G–CMWCNTs-GCE was proposed for the detection of a HBV DNA segment with a low LOD.

Mediator-free total cholesterol estimation using a bi-enzyme functionalized nanostructured gold electrode

A one-step electrochemical route for the synthesis, functionalization and deposition of Au nanostructures and for the bi-enzyme functionalization of a Au electrode has been proposed.

Versatile matrix for constructing enzyme-based biosensors

A versatile matrix was fabricated and utilized as a universal interface for the construction of enzyme-based biosensors. This matrix was formed on the gold electrode via combining self-assembled monolayer of 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid with gold nanoparticles. Gold nanoparticles were electrochemically deposited. Electrochemistry of three redox enzymes (catalase, glucose oxidase, and horseradish peroxidase) was investigated on such a matrix. The electrocatalytic monitoring of hydrogen peroxide and glucose was conducted on this matrix after being coated with those enzymes. On them the monitoring of hydrogen peroxide and glucose shows rapid response times, wide linear working ranges, low detection limits, and high enzymatic affinities. This matrix is thus a versatile and suitable platform to develop highly sensitive enzyme-based biosensors.

Direct electrochemistry and electrocatalysis of glucose oxidase based poly(l-arginine)-multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Schematic diagram of the preparation of GOx/P-l-Arg/f-MWCNTs/GCE modified electrodes for glucose biosensors.

Enzyme-polymers conjugated to quantum-dots for sensing applications

In the present research, the concept of developing a novel system based on polymer-enzyme macromolecules was tested by coupling carboxylic acid functionalized poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA-COOH) to glucose oxidase (GOx) followed by the bioconjugation with CdS quantum-dots (QD). The resulting organic-inorganic nanohybrids were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, Photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The spectroscopy results have clearly shown that the polymer-enzyme macromolecules (PVA-COOH/GOx) were synthesized by the proposed zero-length linker route. Moreover, they have performed as successful capping agents for the nucleation and constrained growth of CdS quantum-dots via aqueous colloidal chemistry. The TEM images associated with the optical absorption results have indicated the formation of CdS nanocrystals with estimated diameters of about 3.0 nm. The "blue-shift" in the visible absorption spectra and the PL values have provided strong evidence that the fluorescent CdS nanoparticles were produced in the quantum-size confinement regime. Finally, the hybrid system was biochemically assayed by injecting the glucose substrate and detecting the formation of peroxide with the enzyme horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Thus, the polymer-enzyme-QD hybrid has behaved as a nanostructured sensor for glucose detecting.