Magnetic bead-based chemiluminescent metal immunoassay with a colloidal gold label

A novel, sensitive chemiluminescent (CL) immunoassay has been developed by taking advantage of a magnetic separation/mixing process and the amplification feature of colloidal gold label. First, the sandwich-type complex is formed in this protocol by the primary antibody immobilized on the surface of magnetic beads, the antigen in the sample, and the second antibody labeled with colloidal gold. Second, a large number of Au3+ ions from each gold particle anchored on the surface of magnetic beads are released after oxidative gold metal dissolution and then quantitatively determined by a simple and sensitive Au3+-catalyzed luminol CL reaction. Third, this protocol is evaluated for a noncompetitive immunoassay of a human immunoglobulin G, and a concentration as low as 3.1 x 10(-12) M is determined, which is competitive with colloidal gold-based anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV), colorimetric ELISA, or immunoassays based on fluorescent europium chelate labels. The high performance of this protocol is related to the sensitive CL determination of Au3+ ion (detection limit of 2 x 10(-10) M), which is 25 times higher than that by ASV at a single-use carbon-based screen-printed electrode. From the analytical chemistry point of view, this protocol will be quite promising for numerous applications in immunoassay and DNA hybridization.     

Novel solid phase extraction procedure for gold(III) on Dowex M 4195 prior to its flame atomic absorption spectrometric determination

A method for solid phase extraction (SPE) of gold(III) using Dowex M 4195 chelating resin has been developed. The optimum experimental conditions for the quantitative sorption of gold(III), pH, effect of flow rates, eluent types, sorption capacity and the effect of diverse ions on the sorption of gold(III) have been investigated. The chelating resin can be reused for more than 100 cycles of sorption-desorption without any significant change in sorption of gold(III) ions. The recovery values for gold(III) and detection limit (LOD) of gold were greater than 95% and 1.61 microg L(-1), respectively. The preconcentration factor was 31. The relative standard deviation of the method was <5%. The adsorption capacity of the resin was 8.1 mg g(-1). The proposed method has been applied for the determination of gold(III) in some real samples including water, soil and sediment samples.     

Synthesis of high concentration colloid solution of silica-coated AgI nanoparticles

Methods for high concentration silica-coated silver iodide (AgI/SiO2) particles, which could be practically used as X-ray contrast agent, were examined. The first was a single-step method, which was to prepare AgI nanoparticles at an AgI concentration of 5 x 10(-3) M and coat the AgI nanoparticles with silica shell by a St?ber method. The second was a multiple-step method, which was to repeat a step for preparing a AgI/SiO2 particle colloid solution with 10(-3) M AgI 5 times for adjusting a final AgI concentration to 5 x 10(-3) M. In the two methods, dominant particle aggregation took place, though core-shell particles were also produced. The third was a salting-out method, which was to salt out AgI/SiO2 particles in their colloid solution prepared at an AgI concentration of 10(-3) M, remove supernatant by decantation, and redisperse the particles in a fresh solvent. Consequently, AgI/SiO2 particles with an AgI concentration as high as 0.05 M were successfully prepared with the salting-out method, and their core-shell structure was not damaged during the salting-out.     

The facile flow-injection spectrophotometric detection of gold(III) in water and pharmaceutical samples using 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxy-2-aminoacetophenone isonicotinoyl hydrazone (3,5-DMHAAINH)

A simple, sensitive and rapid flow-injection spectrophotometric method was developed for the determination of trace amounts of Au(III) in aqueous dimethylformamide (DMF). The method is based on formation of Au(III)-(3,5-DMHAAINH)3 complex. The optimum conditions for the chromogenic reaction of Au(III) with 3,5-DMHAAINH is studied and the colored (reddish brown) complex is selectively monitored at lambda(max) 490 nm at pH 6.0. The reaction and flow conditions of the full experimental design were optimized. The detection limit (2 s) of 0.1 microg l-1 Au(III) was obtained at a sampling rate of 15 samples h-1. Beer's law is obeyed over the range of 0.30-4.00 microg ml-1. The molar absorptivity and Sandell's sensitivity were 3.450x10(4) M and 0.0050 microg ml-1, respectively. Job's method of continuous variation and stability constants corresponding to these maxima was determined and found to be 9.3x10(15) (1:3, M:R) (M, metal; R, reagent). The detailed study of various interferences confirmed the high selectivity of the developed method. The method was successfully applied for the determination of trace amount of Au(III) in water and pharmaceutical samples. The results obtained were in agreement with the reported methods at the 95% confidence level.     

Sub-femtomolar electrochemical detection of DNA hybridization based on latex/gold nanoparticle-assisted signal amplification

We report a relatively simple electrostatic method for modifying submicrometer-size latex spheres with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) based on layer-by-layer modification of the latex by polyelectrolytes. The AuNP coverages for 343- and 501-nm-diameter spheres were 4.0 x 10 (10) +/- 1.3 x 10 (10) and 8.2 x 10 (10) +/- 2.7 x 10 (10) particles cm (-2), respectively, which is an increase of 1 order of magnitude on the previously reported coverage at latex-AuNPs using streptavidin-biotin binding (Kawde, A.N.; Wang, J. Electroanalysis 2004, 16, 101-107). Due to the fact that the AuNPs used here are also of a larger size (mean diameter 15.5 +/- 1.6 nm, cf. 5 nm), this represents an increase of 2 orders of magnitude in the number of Au atoms delivered per sphere. The spheres were attached to DNA probes specific to E. coli and used to detect probe hybridization by dissolution of the AuNPs, followed by measurement of Au (3+) ions by anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV). Use of differential pulse voltammetry for the stripping step, along with optimization of the ASV conditions, enabled a detection limit of 0.5 fM, which is, to the best of our knowledge, equal or lower than previous voltammetric nanoparticle methods for detection of DNA hybridization.     

Carbon-Pt nanoparticles modified TiO2 nanotubes for simultaneous detection of dopamine and uric acid

The present work describes sensing application of modified TiO2 nanotubes having carbon-Pt nanoparticles for simultaneous detection of dopamine and uric acid. The TiO2 nanotubes electrode was prepared using anodizing method, followed by electrodeposition of Pt nanoparticles onto the tubes. Carbon was deposited by decomposition of polyethylene glycol in a tube furnace to improve the conductivity. The C-Pt-TiO2 nanotubes modified electrode was characterized by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry methods. The modified electrode displayed high sensitivity towards the oxidation of dopamine and uric acid in a phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.00). The electro-oxidation currents of dopamine and uric acid were linearly related to the concentration over a wide range of 3.5 x 10(-8) M to 1 x 10(-5) M and 1 x 10(-7) M to 3 x 10(-5) M respectively. The limit of detection was determined as 2 x 10(-10) M for dopamine at signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The interference of uric acid was also investigated. Electro-oxidation currents of dopamine in the presence of fix amount of uric acid represented a linear behaviour towards successive addition of dopamine in range of 1 x 10(-7) M to 1 x 10(-5) M. Furthermore, in a solution containing dopamine, uric acid and ascorbic acid the overlapped oxidation peaks of dopamine and ascorbic acid could be easily separated by using C-Pt-TiO2 nanotubes modified electrode.     

Gold nanoparticle-based pH sensor in highly alkaline region at pH > 11: surface-enhanced Raman scattering study

A surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy study showed that citrate-reduced gold nanoparticles ( approximately 15 nm diameter, approximately 9 x 10(-9) M concentration, approximately 2 x 10(-2) M ionic strength) were found to be utilized as a colorimetric sensor by exhibiting a distinct color change at a highly alkaline pH > 11.5. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of 4-ethynylpyridine (4-EP) on gold nanoparticle surfaces indicated that the multiple peaks in the v(C identical withC) stretching bands should vary significantly in the highly alkaline region from pH 12 to 14. As the pH value increased, the v(C identical withC) stretching band intensity at approximately 2080 cm(-1) became stronger than that at approximately 2010 cm(-1). The pK(1/2) value was determined to be around 13 by the SERS titration of taking intensity ratios of I(2080) with respect to I(2010). Using SERS enhancements and conspicuous spectral changes, self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of 4-EP on Au nanoparticles holds potential as a pH sensor for sensitive detection of the hydroxide OH(-) concentration at around pH 13 in an aqueous solution. The pH calibration from SERS titration of 4-EP is expected to have advantages in terms of higher alkaline detection limit and more precise measurements, if compared with the indigo carmine, the pK(1/2) value of which is 12.2.     

Sodium dodecyl sulfate coated alumina modified with a new Schiff's base as a uranyl ion selective adsorbent

A simple and selective method was used for the preconcentration and determination of uranium(VI) by solid-phase extraction (SPE). In this method, a column of alumina modified with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and a new Schiff's base ligand was prepared for the preconcentration of trace uranyl(VI) from water samples. The uranium(VI) was completely eluted with HCl 2M and determined by a spectrophotometeric method with Arsenazo(III). The preconcentration steps were studied with regard to experimental parameters such as amount of extractant, type, volume and concentration of eluent, pH, flow rate of sample source and tolerance limit of diverse ions on the recovery of uranyl ion. A preconcentration factor more than 200 was achieved and the average recovery of uranyl(VI) was 99.5%. The relative standard deviation was 1.1% for 10 replicate determinations of uranyl(VI) ion in a solution with a concentration of 5 μg mL(-1). This method was successfully used for the determination of spiked uranium in natural water samples.     

Homogeneous immunoassay for detection of TNT and its analogues on a microfabricated capillary electrophoresis chip

A homogeneous immunoassay for TNT and its analogues is developed using a microfabricated capillary electrophoresis chip. The assay is based on the rapid electrophoretic separation of an equilibrated mixture of an anti-TNT antibody, fluorescein-labeled TNT, and unlabeled TNT or its analogue. The band intensities of the free fluorescein-labeled TNT and of the antibody-antigen complex reveal the relative equilibrated concentrations. Titration of the anti-TNT antibody with a fluorescein-labeled TNT derivative yields a binding constant of (3.9 +/- 1.3) x 10(9) M(-1). The dissociation rate constant of the complex is determined by kinetic capillary electrophoresis using a folded channel and a rotary scanner to interrogate the separation at multiple time points. The dissociation rate constant is found to be 0.035 +/- 0.005 s(-1), and the resulting binding rate constant is (1.4 +/- 0.7) x 10(7) M(-1) s(-1). Binding constants of TNT and five of its analogues are determined by competitive assays: TNT (4.3 +/- 2.6) x 10(8) M(-1); 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene (5.1 +/- 3.3) x 10(7) M(-1); picric acid (7.5 +/- 4.4) x 10(6) M(-1); 2,4-dinitrotoluene (7.9 +/- 4.0) x 10(6) M(-1); 1,3-dinitrobenzene (1.0 +/- 0.7) x 10(6) M(-1); and 2,4-dinitrophenol (5.1 +/- 3.0) x 10(4) M(-1). TNT and its analogues can be assayed with high sensitivity (LOD 1 ng/mL) and with a wide dynamic range (1-300 ng/mL) using this chip-based method.     

Simultaneous determination of serotonin and dopamine at the PEDOP/MWCNTs-Pd nanoparticle modified glassy carbon electrode

Electrochemical determination of dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) have been studied at a modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) in 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution (PBS) using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) at pH 7.4, all over the interfering biomolecule ascorbic acid (AA). The GCE was modified by palladium-functionalized, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs-Pd) with electrochemical deposition of poly 3,4-ethylenedioxy pyrrole (PEDOP), denoted as PEDOP/MWCNTs-Pd/GCE, and investigated by SEM and EIS experiments. The highly electrocatalytic activity of the modified electrode toward 5-HT and DA was demonstrated from the sensitive and well-separated voltammetric experiment. The oxidation peaks found were 0.165 and 0.355 mV for DA and 5-HT, respectively. The composite film shows a significant accumulation effects on two species, as well as the mutual interference among the analytes. This biosensor was best in response compared to other modified electrodes made in the same lab. The lowest detection limits were found to be 5.0 x 10(-9) and 1.0 x 10(-8) for 5-HT and DA, respectively. The respective linear ranges were determined as 1.0 x 10(-7) to 2.0 x 10(-4) and 1.0 x 10(-7) to 2.0 x 10(-4) for 5-HT and DA.     

Direct electrochemistry of cytochrome c at a glassy carbon electrode modified with single-wall carbon nanotubes

The electrochemistry of horse heart cytochrome c was studied by cyclic voltammetry at a glassy carbon electrode modified with single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). A pair of well-defined redox waves was obtained in cytochrome c aqueous solution at an activated SWNT film-modified electrode. The optimal conditions for activating the SWNT film-modified electrode has been determined. The electrode reaction of cytochrome c is a diffusion-controlled process. The peak current increases linearly with the concentration of cytochrome c in the range from 3.0 x 10(-5)-7.0 x 10(-4) M. The detection limit is 1.0 x 10(-5) M. The activated SWNT film was characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, interaction of cytochrome c with adenine was characterized by electrochemical and spectral methods.     

Colorimetric determination of melamine by pyridine-3-boronic acid modified gold nanoparticles

A rapid, simple and sensitive colorimetric detection method for melamine was proposed based on pyridine-3-boronic acid (PBA) modified gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The formation of supramolecular hydrogen-bonded structure between PBA and melamine resulted in the aggregation of PBA modified AuNPs and the color change from red to blue. Melamine could be detected by colorimetric response of AuNPs that could be detected by naked eyes or a UV-vis spectrophotometer. The detection concentration of melamine ranged from 6.0 x 10(-8) to 1.6 x 10(-6) M, and the detection limit (3sigma) was 3.0 x 10(-8) M (i.e., 3.2 ppb). This provided an effective and facile colorimetric sensor for real-time and on-site determination of melamine. Particularly, the proposed method could be used to detect melamine in pretreated liquid milk products with high sensitivity and low interference, and the recoveries were from 95% to 102%.     

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic method for the quantitative trace analysis of transition-metal carbonyl-labeled bioligands.

A quantitative FT-IR spectroscopic method has been developed for the trace analysis in chlorinated organic solvents of transition-metal carbonyl-labeled bioligands. In order to illustrate the widespread analytical potential of the method, three derivatives of the female hormonal steroid 17 beta-estradiol, containing Cr(CO)3, Cp2Mo2(CO)4 (Cp = eta 5-C5H5), and Co2(CO)6 as labels, and the anticonvulsant drug phenobarbital, labeled with (eta 5-C5H4)Mn(CO)3, were examined. The cobalt carbonyl marker proved to be the best sulted for quantitative analysis purposes, and the minimum tracer quantity detectable for this particular marker (64 scans, 4-cm-1 resolution, 3.5 min) was optimized in CCl4 solution at about 300 fmol (or 0.3 pmol, 180 pg) by using an ultralow volume (23.0 microL), gold light-pipe IR solution cell and a liquid nitrogen cooled, InSb (indium antimonide) IR detector. The repeatability of this radically different analytical procedure over the concentration range 1.0 x 10(-6) to 5.0 x 10(-8) M was good (coefficient of variance less than or equal to 6%) and the method provides the basis for a new immunological test--carbonylmetalloimmunoassay (CMIA).     

A hydrogen peroxide biosensor based on peroxidase activity of hemoglobin in polymeric film

A Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) biosensor, based on hemoglobin (Hb) and ortho-phenylenediamine (o-PD) gold electrode, was fabricated. Hb was immobilized onto the electrode surface by electrochemical polymerize method with o-PD. The designed biosensor showed a well defined redox peak which was attributed to the direct electrochemical response of Hb. The immobilized Hb exhibited an excellent electrocatalytical response to the reduction of hydrogen peroxide, enabling the sensitivity determination of H2O2. Factors and performances such as pH, potential, influencing the designed biosensor, were studied carefully. The amperometric detection of H2O2 was carried out at -300 mV in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) (0.1 M) with pH 6.0. This biosensor showed a fast amperometric response (less then 5 s) to H2O2. The levels of the (Relative standard deviation) RSDs (< 3.5%) for the entire analyses reflected a highly reproducible sensor performance. Using the optimized conditions, the detection limit of the biosensor was 1 x 10(-7) M and linear range was from 5 x 10(-6) to 1.25 x 10(-4) M. In addition, this sensor showed long-term stability and good sensitivity.     

Use of modified sorbent for the separation and preconcentration of chromium species from industrial waste water

A simple and sensitive method based on solid phase extraction (SPE) on acetyl acetone modified XAD-16 has been established for separation of Cr (III) and Cr (VI) from and industrial water samples. Two forms of chromium showed different exchange capacities at different pH values, viz. Cr (III) selectively retained at pH 5-7 whereas Cr (VI) retained at pH 1. Hence complete separation of the two forms of chromium is possible. Retained species were eluted with 5 mL of 2 mol L(-1) HNO(3) and 2 mol L(-1) NaOH. The detection limit of 0.02 and 0.014 microg mL(-1) was achieved for Cr (III) and Cr (VI), respectively, with an enrichment factor of 100 and 140. Various kinetic and thermodynamic parameters were also determined. The metal ion concentration was measured by atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. The possible retention mechanism is also discussed. The method was successfully applied for the speciation of chromium in industrial water samples.     

Application of a liposomal bioluminescent label in the development of a flow injection immunoanalytical system

A flow injection liposome immunoanalytical system was developed using biotin as the model analyte and liposomal aequorin as the label. Aequorin is a photoprotein isolated from luminescent jellyfish (notably Aequorea victoria) and other marine organisms that emits visible light in the presence of a trace of Ca2+. Because of this characteristic, the aequorin complex has been used as an intracellular Ca2+ indicator. In this study, a bioluminescent label was designed by encapsulating aequorin inside the cavity of the liposome, whose outer surface was sensitized with the analyte of interest. The analyte-tagged liposomal aequorin was employed in the development of a heterogeneous bioluminescence immunoassay for the model analyte biotin. The proposed immunoassay was based on the competition between the model biotin and aequorin-encapsulating, biotin-tagged liposomes for a limited number of anti-biotin antibody-binding sites. The anti-biotin antibodies were immobilized via protein A in a capillary immunoreactor column, and 30% MeOH was used for the regeneration of antibody-binding sites after each measurement, which allowed the immunoreactor to be used for up to 50 sequential sample injections without any loss of reactivity. The calibration curve for biotin in Tris-buffered saline solution had a linear range of 1 x 10(-11)-1 x 10(-3) M. The detection limit of the assay was 50 pg (equivalent to 200-microL injection of 1 x 10(-9) M). This study demonstrates the procedures for the encapsulation of the photoprotein aequorin into the liposome, which can be used as a sensitive label in bioluminescence immunoassays for biotin or in other applications.     

Biosensor for asparagine using a thermostable recombinant asparaginase from Archaeoglobus fulgidus

Asparaginase from the hyperthermophilic microorganism Archaeoglobus fulgidus was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli as a fusion protein with a polyhistidine tail. After heat treatment to denature most of the native E. coli proteins, the enzyme was purified by an immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography method. The activity of the enzyme was determined by monitoring the change in ammonium concentration in solution. It was found that the enzyme is thermostable at temperatures as high as 85 degrees C. The KM for L-asparagine was 8 x 10(-5) and 5 x 10(-6) M at 37 and 70 degrees C, respectively. The catalytic activity for L-asparagine was 5-fold higher than for D-asparagine. The enzyme was immobilized in front of an ammonium-selective electrode and used to develop a biosensor for asparagine. The biosensor had a detection limit of 6 x 10(-5) M for L-asparagine. Unlike a sensor based on asparaginase from E. coli, the biosensor based on recombinant asparaginase from A. fulgidus demonstrated higher stability.     

Ultramicroband array electrode. 1. Analysis of mercury in contaminated soils and flue gas exposed samples using a gold-plated iridium portable system by anodic stripping voltammetry

The applicability of a gold-plated iridium Nano-Band array ultramicroelectrode (6 microm by 0.2 microm, 64-microm interspacing, 100 electrode bands) in the analysis of mercury using a portable system is demonstrated by anodic stripping voltammetry in real-life samples. Optimized measurement parameters, 0.1 M HCl electrolyte, plating potential of 0 mV, and staircase scan mode were identified. The dynamic linear range is 10-180 ppb at 5-s deposition time with 1.5 microC of gold plated. The experimental detection limit for Hg2+ in 0.1 M HCl was 0.5 ppb at a deposition time of 4 min and a scan rate of 10 V/s. Real-life samples, such as flue gas exposed samples from flue gas simulators could be analyzed within 5 min using the method of standard additions. We identified a field-portable extraction procedure for soil samples using 1:1 concentrated HNO3/30% H2O2 mixture, compatible with ASV and the iridium electrode. The detection limit for soils is 1 ppm. The results obtained using ASV are in good agreement with reference values using cold vapor atomic absorption for the sample matrixes studied here. To our knowledge, this is the first mercury application using a reusable iridium array ultramicroelectrode. The portable potentiostat is less than 500 g, and together with the portable digestion method, makes the Nano-Band Explorer system field applicable.     

PVC membrane and coated graphite potentiometric sensors based on Et4todit for selective determination of samarium(III)

Solution studies on the binding properties of 4,5,6,7-tetrathiocino[1,2-b:3,4-b']diimidazolyl-1,3,8,10-tetraethyl-2,9-dithione (Et(4)todit) toward a number of cationic species including some lanthanide ions revealed the occurrence of a selective 1:1 complexation of the ligand with Sm(3+) ion. Consequently, Et(4)todit was used as a suitable neutral ionophore for the preparation of novel polymeric membrane (PME) and coated graphite (CGE) Sm(3+)-selective electrodes. The electrodes exhibit a Nernstian behavior for Sm(3+) ions over wide concentration ranges (1.0 x 10(-5)-1.0 x 10(-1) M for PME and 1.0 x 10(-7)-1.0 x 10(-1) M for CGE) and very low limits of detection (8.0 x 10(-6) M for PME and 1.6 x 10(-8) M for CGE). The proposed potentiometric sensors manifest advantages of relatively fast response, and, most importantly, good selectivities relative to wide variety of other cations, including other lanthanide ions. The selectivity behavior of the proposed Sm(3+)-selective electrodes revealed a great improvement compared to the best previously reported electrode for samarium(III) ion. The potentiometric responses of the electrodes are independent of the pH of the test solution in the pH range 4.0-6.5. The electrodes were successfully applied to the recovery of Sm(3+) ion from tap water samples and also, as an indicator electrode, in potentiometric titration of samarium(III) ions.     

Adsorption characteristics and separation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) on hydrous titanium(IV) oxide

A hydrous titanium(IV) oxide was prepared to study the adsorption characteristics and the separation of chromium species. Batch sorption studies have been carried out to determine the effect of pH on the sorption of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) on hydrous TiO2. An excellent separation efficiency of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) was obtained at pH 2. The adsorption percentage of Cr(VI) was above 99%, whereas that of the Cr(III) was less than 1% at this pH. The adsorption isotherm of Cr(VI) on hydrous TiO2 at pH 2 was in good agreement with the Langmuir isotherm. The maximum adsorption capacity of Cr(VI) on TiO2 was 5 mg g(-1). The rate of adsorption of Cr(VI) by hydrous TiO2 with average particle diameter 250 and 500 microm has been studied under particle diffusion controlled conditions. The diffusion coefficients of Cr(VI) for both hydrous TiO2 having average particle diameter of 250 and 500 microm was calculated at pH 2 as 3.84 x 10(-10) m2 s(-1) and 8.86 x 10(-10) m2 s(-1), respectively.