Development of aptasensor for chlorpyrifos detection using paper-based screen-printed electrode

Novel Carbon quantum dots-graphite composite ink-based Screen-printed electrodes (CQDs/SPEs) were used to assemble a highly sensitive electrochemical aptasensor against chlorpyrifos (CPF). The aptasensor showed a broad linear range from 1 pM (0.445 ng/ml) to 500 nM (0.22 mg/ml) with a detection limit (LOD) 0.834 pM (0.37 ng/ml); sensitivity 21.39 μA pM-1 cm- 2 and with good linearity of R2 = 0.973. Moreover, the aptasensor's showed better selectivity among few other pesticides. Further, the aptasensor electrode showed high stability for five months when stored at 4 °C. In the final step, the aptasensor's ability to identify CPF in real samples was evaluated on spiked potato (Solanum tuberosum) extract samples. Potato extract spiked with CPF in the electrochemical aptasensing platform showed excellent linearity of R2 = 0.981. The developed aptasensor showed good response to without spiked potato extract with increasing volumes. Hence, the developed aptasensor demonstrated reasonable applicability in real food and agriculture samples.

Environmental friendly Polyacrylonitrile nanofiber mats encapsulated and coated with green algae mediated Titanium oxide nanoparticles for efficient oil spill adsorption

Oil spill causes extreme environmental damage, from aquatic life to seabirds, disrupting the entire ecosystem. Herein, we have synthesized high scale, economical and bio-compatible, green algae mediated Titanium oxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles and Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber mats. We have studied the effect of encapsulation and coating of TiO₂ nanoparticles over nanofiber mats for highly efficient oil spill adsorption. TiO₂ encapsulated and coated PAN (TECP) nanofibers showed a maximum of 62.34 g g^-1 adsorption capacity of petroleum oil from the water surface. Moreover, the composite mats show maximum adsorption within 45 s for up to 5 repeated cycles. Further, it has been observed that the adsorption capacity has increased by increasing the weight of the composite nanofiber mats, which confirms its commercial applicability. Thus, this work provides rapid, large-scale, economical, bio-compatible, and highly effective adsorbents for oil spill cleaning and extraction over natural waterbodies.

Rapid and label-free detection of Aflatoxin-B1viamicrofluidic electrochemical biosensor based on manganese (III) oxide (Mn3O4) synthesized by co-precipitation route at room temperature

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is the most toxic mycotoxin, naturally occurring in food items, and it causes several types of lethal diseases. Therefore, a rapid and convenient detection method for AFB1 is the first step toward overcoming the effect of AFB1. The current work presents the development of an efficient microfluidic electrochemical-based biosensor using tri-manganese tetroxide nanoparticles (Mn₃O₄nps) for AFB1 detection. The Mn₃O₄nps were synthesized at room temperature through the co-precipitation route. Its phase purity, structural and morphological studies have been characterized through x-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The mask-less UV-lithography was carried out to fabricate the three-electrode chip and microfluidic channel of the microfluidic electrochemical biosensing system. The designed microfluidic immunosensor (BSA/Ab-AFB1/Mn₃O₄/ITO) was fabricated using the three-electrode chip, microfluidic channel in poly-dimethyl siloxane. The fabricated sensor exhibited the 3.4μA ml ng^-1cm^-2sensitivity and had the lowest lower detection limit of 0.295 pg ml^-1with the detection range of 1 pg ml^-1to 300 ng ml^-1. Additionally, the spiked study was also performed with this immunoelectrode and a recovery rate was obtained of 108.2%.

Simple and facile carbon dots based electrochemical biosensor for TNF-α targeting in cancer patient's sample

Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF-α) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine having key roles in cell death, differentiation, survival, proliferation, migration and is a modulator of immune system. Therefore, TNF-α is an ideal biomarker for several disease diagnosis including cancer. However, out of all the biomarkers of cancer, TNF-α) is less explored for cancer detection. Only a few reports are available of developing biosensors for TNF-α targeting in human serum samples. Also, Carbon Dots (CDs) remains less explored in biosensor application. In this regard, for the first time, a sensitive and low-cost electrochemical biosensor based on CDs has developed. CDs were synthesized by simple yet facile microwave pyrolysis. Poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) was selected as the matrix to hold CDs to fabricate the biosensing platform. This novel CD-PMMA nanocomposite featuring excellent biocompatibility, exceptional electrocatalytic conductivity, and large surface area. CD-PMMA was applied as transducing material to efficiently conjugate antibodies specific towards TNF-α and fabricate electrochemical immunosensor for specific detection of TNF-α. The fabricated immunosensor was used for the detection of TNF-α within a wide dynamic range of 0.05-160 pg mL^-1 with a lower detection limit of 0.05 pg mL^-1 and sensitivity of 5.56 pg mL^-1 cm^-2. Furthermore, this CDs based immunosensor retains high sensitivity, selectivity, and stability. This immunosensor demonstrated a high correlation with the conventional technique, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for early screening of cancer patient serum samples.

Ubiquitous organic molecule-based free-standing nanowires with ultra-high aspect ratios

The critical dimension of semiconductor devices is approaching the single-nm regime, and a variety of practical devices of this scale are targeted for production. Planar structures of nano-devices are still the center of fabrication techniques, which limit further integration of devices into a chip. Extension into 3D space is a promising strategy for future; however, the surface interaction in 3D nanospace make it hard to integrate nanostructures with ultrahigh aspect ratios. Here we report a unique technique using high-energy charged particles to produce free-standing 1D organic nanostructures with high aspect ratios over 100 and controlled number density. Along the straight trajectory of particles penetrating the films of various sublimable organic molecules, 1D nanowires were formed with approximately 10~15 nm thickness and controlled length. An all-dry process was developed to isolate the nanowires, and planar or coaxial heterojunction structures were built into the nanowires. Electrical and structural functions of the developed standing nanowire arrays were investigated, demonstrating the potential of the present ultrathin organic nanowire systems.

Bio-Active Free Direct Optical Sensing of Aflatoxin B1 and Ochratoxin A Using a Manganese Oxide Nano-System

Aflatoxins-B1 (AFB1) and Ochratoxin-A (OchA) are the two types of major mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus parasiticus fungi, Aspergillus carbonarius, Aspergillus niger, and Penicillium verrocusumv. These toxins are mainly found in metabolite cereals, corn, coffee beans, and other oil-containing food items. Excessive consumption of these toxins can be carcinogenic and lead to cancer. Thus, their rapid testing became essential for food quality control. Herein, manganese oxide nanoparticles (MnO2 nps) have been proposed to explore the interaction with AFB1 and OchA using UV-visible spectroscopy. MnO2 nps were synthesized using the co-precipitation method. They were pure and crystalline with an average crystallite size of 5–6 nm. In the UV-vis study, the maximum absorbance for MnO2 nps was observed around 260 nm. The maximum absorbance for AFB1 and OchA was observed at 365 and 380 nm, respectively, and its intensity enhanced with the addition of MnO2 nps. Sequential changes were observed with varying the concentration of AFB1 and OchA with a fixed concentration of MnO2 nps, resulting in proper interaction. The binding constant (kb) and Gibbs free energy for MnO2 nps-AFB1 and OchA were observed as 1.62 × 104 L g−1 and 2.67 × 104 L g−1, and −24.002 and −25.256 kJ/mol, respectively. The limit of detection for AFB1 and OchA was measured as 4.08 and 10.84 ng/ml, respectively. This bio‐active free direct sensing approach of AFB1 and OchA sensing can be promoted as a potential analytical tool to estimate food quality rapidly and affordable manner at the point of use.

Gut microbiota derived trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) detection through molecularly imprinted polymer based sensor

Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a microbiota-derived metabolite has been implicated in human health and disease. Its early detection in body fluids has been presumed to be significant in understanding the pathogenesis and treatment of many diseases. Hence, the development of reliable and rapid technologies for TMAO detection may augment our understanding of pathogenesis and diagnosis of diseases that TMAO has implicated. The present work is the first report on the development of a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) based electrochemical sensor for sensitive and selective detection of TMAO in body fluids. The MIP developed was based on the polypyrrole (PPy), which was synthesized via chemical oxidation polymerization method, with and without the presence of TMAO. The MIP, NIP and the non-sonicated polymer (PPy-TMAO) were separately deposited electrophoretically onto the hydrolyzed indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glasses. The chemical, morphological, and electrochemical behavior of MIP, non-imprinted polymer (NIP), and PPy-TMAO were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electrochemical techniques. The detection response was recorded using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), which revealed a decrease in the peak current with the increase in concentration of TMAO. The MIP sensor showed a dynamic detection range of 1-15 ppm with a sensitivity of 2.47 µA mL ppm^-1 cm^-2. The developed sensor is easy to construct and operate and is also highly selective to detect TMAO in body fluids such as urine. The present research provides a basis for innovative strategies to develop sensors based on MIP to detect other metabolites derived from gut microbiota that are implicated in human health and diseases.

Investigating the Nanocomposite Thin Films of Hematite α-Fe2O3 and Nafion for Cholesterol Biosensing Applications

Nanocomposite materials are multi-phase materials, usually solids, which have two or more component materials having different chemical and physical properties. When blended together, a newer material is formed with distinctive properties which make them an eligible candidate for many important applications. In the present study, thin films of nafion (polymer) and hematite or α-Fe2O3 (nanoparticles) nanocomposite is fabricated on indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass substrates, due to its enhanced ionic conductivity, for cholesterol biosensor applications. Scanning electron microscopy and Atomic force microscopy revealed the formation of nanorod structured α-Fe2O3 in the films. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) studies of nafion-α-Fe2O3/ITO revealed the redox properties of the nanocomposites. The sensing studies were performed on nafion-α-Fe2O3/CHOx/ITO bioelectrode using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) at various concentrations of cholesterol. The enzyme immobilization leaded to the selective detection of cholesterol with a sensitivity of 64.93 × 10−2 μA (mg/dl)−1 cm−2. The enzyme substrate interaction (Michaelis–Menten) constant Km, was obtained to be 19 mg/dl.

Silver molybdate nanoparticles based immunosensor for the non-invasive detection of Interleukin-8 biomarker

In this study, we report the silver molybdate nanoparticles (β-Ag₂MoO₄ NPs) based non-invasive and sensitive electrochemical immunosensor for label-free detection of Interleukin-8 (IL-8) biomarker. The X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy studies confirm the cubic spinel structures of β-Ag₂MoO₄ NPs. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy study depicted average size of β-Ag₂MoO₄ NPs as 27.15 nm. The cleaned indium tin oxide coated glass substrates were coated with spin-coated thin films of Ag₂MoO₄ NPs. These electrodes used for covalently immobilization of antibodies specific to IL-8 (Anti-IL-8) using EDC-NHS chemistry and unbound activated sites blocked by bovine serum albumin. Electrochemical response was obtained in the range of 1 fg mL^-1 to 40 ng mL^-1 and the sensitivity was found to be 7.03 μA ng^-1mL cm^-2 with LOD of 90 pg mL^-1. Spiked samples prepared by human saliva were tested and found efficient detection with this immunoelectrode.

Mesoporous polyaniline nanofiber decorated graphene micro-flowers for enzyme-less cholesterol biosensors

In the present work, we have studied a nanocomposite of polyaniline nanofiber-graphene microflowers (PANInf-GMF), prepared by an in situ rapid mixing polymerization method. The structural and morphological studies of the nanocomposite (PANInf-GMF) were carried out by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy. The mesoporous, nanofibrous and microflower structures were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The functional groups and synergetic effects were observed by FTIR and micro-Raman measurements. The water wettability was carried out by a contact angle measurement technique and found to be super hydrophilic in nature towards water. This nanocomposite was deposited onto indium-tin-oxide coated glass substrate by a drop casting method and used for the detection of cholesterol using an electrochemical technique. The differential pulse voltammetry studies show the appreciable increase in the current with the addition of 1.93 to 464.04 mg dl(-1) cholesterol concentration. It is also found that the electrodes were highly selective towards cholesterol when compared to other biological interfering analytes, such as glucose, urea, citric acid, cysteine and ascorbic acid. The sensitivity of the sensor is estimated as 0.101 μA mg(-1) dl cm(-2) and the lower detection limit as 1.93 mg dl(-1). This work will throw light on the preparation of non-enzymatic biosensors based on PANInf-carbon nanostructure composites.

Formation of nanowires via single particle-triggered linear polymerization of solid-state aromatic molecules

Nanowires occupy a prestigious place in nanoelectronics, nanomechanics, and biomimetics. Although there are notable methods to grow nanowires via self-assembly, there is a key drawback in the need to find out the specific conditions appropriate for each system. In this sense, universal techniques to fabricate such nanowires from various organic materials have been sought for the continued progress of the related research field. Here we report one of the promising and facile methodologies to quantitatively produce nanowires with controlled geometrical parameters. In this method, referred to as "Single Particle-Triggered Linear Polymerization (STLiP)", organic thin films on a supporting substrate were irradiated with high-energy charged particles, accelerated by particle accelerators. Each particle penetrates from the top of the films to the substrate while gradually releasing kinetic energy along its trajectory (ion track), generating reactive intermediates such as radical species that eventually induce propagation reactions. The resulting polymerized products were integrated into nanowires with uniform diameter and length that can be isolated via development with appropriate organic solvents. Considering the widely applicable nature of STLiP to organic materials, the present technique opens a new door for access to a number of functional nanowires and their assembly.

Comparative evaluation of enzyme-free nanoclay-ionic liquid based electrodes for detection of bioanalytes

Enzyme-free electrodes were fabricated using mixed nanoclays and ionic liquids.