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The outbreak of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has aroused great attention around the world. SARS-CoV-2 possesses characteristics of faster transmission, immune escape, and occult transmission by many mutation, which caused still grim situation of prevention and control. Early detection and isolation of patients are still the most effective measures at present. So, there is an urgent need for new rapid and highly sensitive testing tools to quickly identify infected patients as soon as possible. This review briefly introduces general characteristics of SARS-CoV-2, and provides recentl overview and analysis based on different detection methods for nucleic acids, antibodies, antigens as detection target. Novel nano-biosensors for SARS-CoV-2 detection are analyzed based on optics, electricity, magnetism, and visualization. In view of the advantages of nanotechnology in improving detection sensitivity, specificity and accuracy, the research progress of new nano-biosensors is introduced in detail, including SERS-based biosensors, electrochemical biosensors, magnetic nano-biosensors and colorimetric biosensors. Functions and challenges of nano-materials in construction of new nano-biosensors are discussed, which provides ideas for the development of various coronavirus biosensing technologies for nanomaterial researchers.
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3D PRINTING OF MAGNETIC SEPARATOR: AN AFFORDABLE APPROACH TO SAMPLE PREPARATION IN THE COVID-19 DIAGNOSIS. This report describes the fabrication of a low-cost magnetic separator holder combining 3D printing and compact neodymium blocks for allowing magnetic extraction and purification of RNA from samples collected by nasopharyngeal swab from patients infected by SARS-CoV-2. The device was designed to contain 24 entrances for plastic microtubes in an arrangement like a commercial device. The proof of concept of the proposed device was successfully demonstrated through the sample extraction and purification of swab samples collected from eight patients suspected of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The sample preparation protocol was performed using a commercial kit containing magnetic beads and different solutions. The performance of the printed device was compared to a commercial magnetic separator, usually employed in the golden standard techniques. The fabrication of the 3D printed magnetic separator was completed under optimized printing conditions within 6 h at cost of 4 USD per unit. The RNA extracted from samples using both devices was analyzed by reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and the achieved results have indicated no statistical different at confidence level of 95%. Based on the achievements, the use of 3D printing and neodymium blocks have demonstrated an alternative route to be used in routing analysis associated to COVID-19 diagnosis.
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Thanks to a general multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach, during the last few decades there have been huge advances in the diagnostic field. In particular, the miniaturization and automation of several assays have led to the development of the so-called point-of-care tests (PoCT), which are devices capable to provide accurate and specific detection of analytes such as glucose, other clinically-relevant biomarkers, pathogens, and drugs. The detection with these devices typically takes place in a few minutes and without the need of specialized personnel. Here we discuss the key technologies and applications of PoCTs, as well as the major challenges in the clinical environment. © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
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This book chapter presents a broad overview of the application of nanotechnology in the biomedical area, exemplified by the application of several gas sensors (electrochemical sensors, piezoelectric sensors, optical, chemoresistive, metal oxide sensors, surface acoustic wave sensors) and focusing on the study of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath for the screening of diseases of worldwide interest such as breast cancer, lung cancer, COVID-19, post COVID-19 syndrome, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, diabetes, chronic obstructive disease, among others. This document aims to provide the state of the art in disruptive technologies based on nanosensors, especially electronic noses and the advances and perspectives in this field. The present work represents an important tool for researchers who are in the field of the development of sensing disruptive technologies for the study of VOCs in biological matrices (i.e., exhaled breath). Thus, the application of gas sensors has proven to be feasible in the biomedical area and a promising area within the diagnosis of communicable and non-communicable diseases, to be applied in POC settings, clinics, hospitals, doctors' offices, and especially in-field applications for less-favored populations where they lack the minimum resources to achieve universal health coverage. © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
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This paper describes for the first time the surface modification of glassy carbon (GC) electrodes with bamboo-based renewable carbon (RC) and antimony nanoparticles (SbNPs) for the determination of methylparaben (MePa) in personal care products (PCPs). The synthesized RC-SbNP material was successfully characterized by scanning electron microcopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The proposed sensor was applied in the detection of MePa using the optimized parameters by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The analytical range for detection of MePa was 0.2 to 9.0 µmol L−1, with limits of detection and quantification of 0.05 µmol L−1 and 0.16 µmol L−1, respectively. The determination of MePa in real PCP samples was performed using the proposed GC/RC-SbNP sensor by DPV and UV-vis spectrophotometry as comparative methodology. The use of RC-SbNP material for the development of electrochemical sensors brings a fresh approach to low-cost devices for MePa analysis.
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Recent years have been associated with the development of various sensor-based technologies in response to the undeniable need for the rapid and precise analysis of an immense variety of pharmaceuticals. In this regard, special attention has been paid to the design and fabrication of sensing platforms based on electrochemical detection methods as they can offer many advantages, such as portability, ease of use, relatively cheap instruments, and fast response times. Carbon paste electrodes (CPEs) are among the most promising conductive electrodes due to their beneficial properties, including ease of electrode modification, facile surface renewability, low background currents, and the ability to modify with different analytes. However, their widespread use is affected by the lack of sufficient selectivity of CPEs. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) composed of tailor-made cavities for specific target molecules are appealing complementary additives that can overcome this limitation. Accordingly, adding MIP to the carbon paste matrix can contribute to the required selectivity of sensing platforms. This review aims to present a categorized report on the recent research and the outcomes in the combinatory fields of MIPs and CPEs for determining pharmaceuticals in complex and simple matrices. CPEs modified with MIPs of various pharmaceutical compounds, including analgesic drugs, antibiotics, antivirals, cardiovascular drugs, as well as therapeutic agents affecting the central nervous system (CNS), will be addressed in detail.Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V.
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As a common antioxidant and antimicrobial agent in plants, luteolin has a variety of pharmacological activities and biological effects, the ability to specifically bind proteins and thus inhibit novel coronaviruses and treat asthma. Here, Co doped nitrogen-containing carbon frameworks/MoS2−MWCNTs (Co@NCF/MoS2−MWCNTs) nanocomposites have been synthesized and successfully applied to electrochemical sensors. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction were used to examine the morphology and structure of the samples. Meanwhile, the electrochemical behavior of Co@NCF/MoS2−MWCNTs was investigated. Due to its excellent electrical conductivity, electrocatalytic activity and adsorption, it is used for the detection of luteolin. The Co@NCF/MoS2−MWCNTs/GCE sensor can detect luteolin in a linear range from 0.1 nM to 1.3 μM with a limit of detection of 0.071 nM. Satisfactory results were obtained for the detection of luteolin in natural samples. In addition, the redox mechanism and electrochemical reaction sites of luteolin were investigated by the scan rate of CV curves and density functional theory. This work demonstrates for the first time the combination of ZIF-67-derived Co@NCF and MoS2−MWCNTs as electrochemical sensors for the detection of luteolin, which opens a new window for the sensitive detection of luteolin. © 2022 Elsevier Ltd
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In the wake of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, antibiotics are now being used in unprecedented quantities across the globe, raising major concerns regarding pharmaceutical pollution and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In view of the incoming tide of alarming apprehensions regarding their aftermath, it is critical to investigate control strategies that can halt their spread. Rare earth vanadates notable for their fundamental and technological significance are increasingly being used as electrochemical probes for the precise quantification of various pharmaceutical compounds. However, a comprehensive study of the role of the cationic site in tailoring the response mechanism is relatively unexplored. Hence, in this work we present a facile hydrothermal synthesis route of rare earth vanadates TVO4 (T = Ho, Y, Dy) as efficient electrocatalyst for the simultaneous detection of nitrofurazone (NF) and roxarsone (RX). There appears to be a significant correlation between T site substitution, morphological and the electrochemical properties of rare earth metal based vanadates. Following a comparative study of the electrochemical activity, the three rare-earth vanadates were found to respond differently depending on their composition of T sites. The results demonstrate that Dy-based vanadate displays increased electrical conductivity and rapid charge transfer characteristics. Thus, under optimal reaction conditions DyVO4- based electrodes imparts outstanding selectivity towards the detection of NF and RX with an extensive detection window of NF = 0.01–264 µM & RX = 0.01–21 µM and 36–264 µM and low detection limit (0.002, 0.0009 µM for NF and RX, respectively). In real-time samples, the proposed sensor reveals itself to be a reliable electrode material capable of detecting residues such as NF and RX. © 2022 Elsevier B.V.
ABSTRACT
The outbreak of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has aroused great attention around the world. SARS-CoV-2 possesses characteristics of faster transmission, immune escape, and occult transmission by many mutation, which caused still grim situation of prevention and control. Early detection and isolation of patients are still the most effective measures at present. So, there is an urgent need for new rapid and highly sensitive testing tools to quickly identify infected patients as soon as possible. This review briefly introduces general characteristics of SARS-CoV-2, and provides recentl overview and analysis based on different detection methods for nucleic acids, antibodies, antigens as detection target. Novel nano-biosensors for SARS-CoV-2 detection are analyzed based on optics, electricity, magnetism, and visualization. In view of the advantages of nanotechnology in improving detection sensitivity, specificity and accuracy, the research progress of new nano-biosensors is introduced in detail, including SERS-based biosensors, electrochemical biosensors, magnetic nano-biosensors and colorimetric biosensors. Functions and challenges of nano-materials in construction of new nano-biosensors are discussed, which provides ideas for the development of various coronavirus biosensing technologies for nanomaterial researchers.
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Human antibodies are produced due to the activation of immune system components upon exposure to an external agent or antigen. Human antibody G, or immunoglobin G (IgG), accounts for 75% of total serum antibody content. IgG controls several infections by eradicating disease-causing pathogens from the body through complementary interactions with toxins. Additionally, IgG is an important diagnostic tool for certain pathological conditions, such as autoimmune hepatitis, hepatitis B virus (HBV), chickenpox and MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), and coronavirus-induced disease 19 (COVID-19). As an important biomarker, IgG has sparked interest in conducting research to produce robust, sensitive, selective, and economical biosensors for its detection. To date, researchers have used different strategies and explored various materials from macro- to nanoscale to be used in IgG biosensing. In this review, emerging biosensors for IgG detection have been reviewed along with their detection limits, especially electrochemical biosensors that, when coupled with nanomaterials, can help to achieve the characteristics of a reliable IgG biosensor. Furthermore, this review can assist scientists in developing strategies for future research not only for IgG biosensors but also for the development of other biosensing systems for diverse targets.
Subject(s)
Biosensing Techniques , COVID-19 , Measles , Mumps , Rubella , Humans , COVID-19/diagnosis , Immunoglobulin G , Antibodies, ViralABSTRACT
This book chapter presents a broad overview of the application of nanotechnology in the biomedical area, exemplified by the application of several gas sensors (electrochemical sensors, piezoelectric sensors, optical, chemoresistive, metal oxide sensors, surface acoustic wave sensors) and focusing on the study of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath for the screening of diseases of worldwide interest such as breast cancer, lung cancer, COVID-19, post COVID-19 syndrome, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, diabetes, chronic obstructive disease, among others. This document aims to provide the state of the art in disruptive technologies based on nanosensors, especially electronic noses and the advances and perspectives in this field. The present work represents an important tool for researchers who are in the field of the development of sensing disruptive technologies for the study of VOCs in biological matrices (i.e., exhaled breath). Thus, the application of gas sensors has proven to be feasible in the biomedical area and a promising area within the diagnosis of communicable and non-communicable diseases, to be applied in POC settings, clinics, hospitals, doctors’ offices, and especially in-field applications for less-favored populations where they lack the minimum resources to achieve universal health coverage.
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We report the development of an electrochemical sensor platform for ultrasensitive and rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA that integrates loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), CRISPR-based detection, and anti-fouling nanocomposite coating. By integrating LAMP amplification with CRISPR, we achieved ultrasensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA at levels as low as 5 copies µL-1. Data from this electrochemical diagnostic platform was comparable to traditional RT-PCR methodology in a fraction of the time, at low cost, and without requiring laboratory space. © 2021 MicroTAS 2021 - 25th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences. All rights reserved.
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Directly analyzing an herbal drug and its contamination is crucial to avoid severe problems due to uncertain dosages and unwanted contaminants. This article describes the first example of a dosing-spoon-based sensor for point-of-use detection of an herbal extract and its contamination. Andrographis paniculata is an herbal drug conventionally used for the therapy of many symptoms and infectious diseases, including COVID-19. The developed device consists of a sensitive electrochemical sensor, enabling the detection of A. paniculata extract. The lab-on-a-spoon squarewave voltammetric system provides the detection result with favorable sensitivity and simplicity in a short time (less than 15 s). The calibration curve of the modeled herbal extract covers a range of 0.030-7.350 mg ml-1 with a limit of detection of 20 μg ml-1. The device and data analysis were applied for determining real samples of A. paniculata extracts. The developed device is sensitive for the screening of processed products from A. paniculata. Moreover, this single dosing-spoon-based sensor can also simultaneously screen the contamination of heavy metals (i.e., cadmium and lead). We envision that this lab-on-a-spoon demonstration would expand the scope of portable pharmaceutical and biochemical sensors, offering promising convenient screening tools for industrial and household applications. © 2022 The Electrochemical Society ("ECS"). Published on behalf of ECS by IOP Publishing Limited.
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Efficient and timely testing has taken center stage in the management, control, and monitoring of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Simple, rapid, cost-effective diagnostics are needed that can complement current polymerase chain reaction-based methods and lateral flow immunoassays. Here, we report the development of an electrochemical sensing platform based on single-walled carbon nanotube screen-printed electrodes (SWCNT-SPEs) functionalized with a redox-tagged DNA aptamer that specifically binds to the receptor binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein S1 subunit. Single-step, reagentless detection of the S1 protein is achieved through a binding-induced, concentration-dependent folding of the DNA aptamer that reduces the efficiency of the electron transfer process between the redox tag and the electrode surface and causes a suppression of the resulting amperometric signal. This aptasensor is specific for the target S1 protein with a dissociation constant (KD) value of 43 ± 4 nM and a limit of detection of 7 nM. We demonstrate that the target S1 protein can be detected both in a buffer solution and in an artificial viral transport medium widely used for the collection of nasopharyngeal swabs, and that no cross-reactivity is observed in the presence of different, non-target viral proteins. We expect that this SWCNT-SPE-based format of electrochemical aptasensor will prove useful for the detection of other protein targets for which nucleic acid aptamer ligands are made available.
Subject(s)
Aptamers, Nucleotide , Biosensing Techniques , COVID-19 , Aptamers, Nucleotide/chemistry , Biosensing Techniques/methods , COVID-19/diagnosis , Electrochemical Techniques/methods , Electrodes , Humans , Limit of Detection , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2 , Spike Glycoprotein, CoronavirusABSTRACT
The smuggling of illicit drugs urges the development of new tools for rapid on-site identification in cargos. Current methods rely on presumptive color tests and portable spectroscopic techniques. However, these methods sometimes exhibit inaccurate results due to commonly used cutting agents, the colorful nature of the sample or because the drugs are smuggled in common goods. Interestingly, electrochemical sensors can deal with these specific problems. Herein, an electrochemical device is presented that uses affordable screen-printed electrodes for the electrochemical profiling of several illicit drugs by square-wave voltammetry (SWV). The identification of the illicit compound is based on the oxidation potential of the analyte. Hence, a library of electrochemical profiles is built upon the analysis of illicit drugs and common cutting agents. This library allows the design of a tailor-made script that enables the identification of each drug through a user-friendly interface (laptop or mobile phone). Importantly, the electrochemical test is compared by analyzing 48 confiscated samples with other portable devices based on Raman and FTIR spectroscopy as well as a laboratory standard method (i.e., gas chromatography–mass spectrometry). Overall, the electrochemical results, obtained through the analysis of different samples from confiscated cargos at an end-user site, present a promising alternative to current methods, offering low-cost and rapid testing in the field.
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The COVID-19 outbreak led to an uncontrollable situation and was later declared a global pandemic. RT-PCR is one of the reliable methods for the detection of COVID-19, but it requires transporting samples to sophisticated laboratories and takes a significant amount of time to amplify the viral genome. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a large-scale, rapid, specific, and portable detection kit. Nowadays nanomaterials-based detection technology has been developed and it showed advancement over the conventional methods in selectivity and sensitivity. This review aims at summarising some of the most promising nanomaterial-based sensing technologies for detecting SARS-CoV-2. Nanomaterials possess unique physical, chemical, electrical and optical properties, which can be exploited for the application in biosensors. Furthermore, nanomaterials work on the same scale as biological processes and can be easily functionalized with substrates of interest. These devices do not require extraordinary sophistication and are suitable for use by common individuals without high-tech laboratories. Electrochemical and colorimetric methods similar to glucometer and pregnancy test kits are discussed and reviewed as potential diagnostic devices for COVID-19. Other devices working on the principle of immune response and microarrays are also discussed as possible candidates. Nanomaterials such as metal nanoparticles, graphene, quantum dots, and CNTs enhance the limit of detection and accuracy of the biosensors to give spontaneous results. The challenges of industrial-scale production of these devices are also discussed. If mass production is successfully developed, these sensors can ramp up the testing to provide the accurate number of people affected by the virus, which is extremely critical in today's scenario.
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The importance of early diagnosis of infectious disease has been revealed well by the COVID-19 pandemic. The current methods for testing SARS-CoV-2 mainly utilize biorecognition elements. The process of production of these biorecognition elements is not only tedious, time-consuming but also costly. The molecularly imprinted polymers recently have gained considerable attention as they are stable and also offer high selectivity and specificity than conventional labels. The present review discussed the MIPs-based electrochemical nano-sensors diagnostic of SARS-CoV-2.
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The availability of sensors able to rapidly detect SARS-CoV-2 directly in biological fluids in a single step would allow performing massive diagnostic testing to track in real time and contain the spread of COVID-19. Motivated by this, here, we developed an electrochemical aptamer-based (EAB) sensor able to achieve the rapid, reagentless, and quantitative measurement of the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein. First, we demonstrated the ability of the selected aptamer to undergo a binding-induced conformational change in the presence of its target using fluorescence spectroscopy. Then, we engineered the aptamer to work as a bioreceptor in the EAB platform and we demonstrated its sensitivity and specificity. Finally, to demonstrate the clinical potential of the sensor, we tested it directly in biological fluids (serum and artificial saliva), achieving the rapid (minutes) and single-step detection of the S protein in its clinical range.
Subject(s)
Biosensing Techniques , COVID-19 , Humans , SARS-CoV-2 , Spike Glycoprotein, CoronavirusABSTRACT
Pure, mixed and doped metal oxides (MOX) have attracted great interest for the development of electrical and electrochemical sensors since they are cheaper, faster, easier to operate and capable of online analysis and real-time identification. This review focuses on highly sensitive chemoresistive type sensors based on doped-SnO2, RhO, ZnO-Ca, Smx-CoFe2-xO4 semiconductors used to detect toxic gases (H2, CO, NO2) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (e.g., acetone, ethanol) in monitoring of gaseous markers in the breath of patients with specific pathologies and for environmental pollution control. Interesting results about the monitoring of biochemical substances as dopamine, epinephrine, serotonin and glucose have been also reported using electrochemical sensors based on hybrid MOX nanocomposite modified glassy carbon and screen-printed carbon electrodes. The fundamental sensing mechanisms and commercial limitations of the MOX-based electrical and electrochemical sensors are discussed providing research directions to bridge the existing gap between new sensing concepts and real-world analytical applications.
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The race towards the development of user-friendly, portable, fast-detection, and low-cost devices for healthcare systems has become the focus of effective screening efforts since the pandemic attack in December 2019, which is known as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Currently existing techniques such as RT-PCR, antigen-antibody-based detection, and CT scans are prompt solutions for diagnosing infected patients. However, the limitations of currently available indicators have enticed researchers to search for adjunct or additional solutions for COVID-19 diagnosis. Meanwhile, identifying biomarkers or indicators is necessary for understanding the severity of the disease and aids in developing efficient drugs and vaccines. Therefore, clinical studies on infected patients revealed that infection-mediated clinical biomarkers, especially pro-inflammatory cytokines and acute phase proteins, are highly associated with COVID-19. These biomarkers are undermined or overlooked in the context of diagnosis and prognosis evaluation of infected patients. Hence, this review discusses the potential implementation of these biomarkers for COVID-19 electrical biosensing platforms. The secretion range for each biomarker is reviewed based on clinical studies. Currently available electrical biosensors comprising electrochemical and electronic biosensors associated with these biomarkers are discussed, and insights into the use of infection-mediated clinical biomarkers as prognostic and adjunct diagnostic indicators in developing an electrical-based COVID-19 biosensor are provided.