A multispectroscopic approach for ultra-trace sensing of prostate specific antigen (PSA) by iron nanocomposite fabricated on graphene nanoplatelet.

Herein we report an easy, rapid and cost-effective method for spectroscopic sensing of a prostate cancer biomarker prostate specific antigen (PSA) using a novel nanocomposite. The material is a synthetic quinoxaline derivative-based iron nanocomposite fabricated on graphene nanoplatelet surface (1d-Fe-Gr). Presence of graphene enhanced the efficacy of synthesized 1d-Fe-Gr to sense PSA in serum medium with an impressive limit of detection (LOD) value of 0.878 pg/mL compared to 1d-Fe alone (LOD 17.619 pg/mL) using UV-visible absorption spectroscopy. LOD of PSA by 1d-Fe-Gr using Raman spectroscopy is even more impressive (0.410 pg/mL). Moreover, presence of interfering biomolecules like glucose, cholesterol, bilirubin and insulin in serum improves the detection threshold significantly in presence of 1d-Fe-Gr which otherwise cause LOD values of PSA to elevate in control sets. In presence of these biomolecules, the LOD values improve significantly as compared to healthy conditions in the range 0.623-3.499 pg/mL. Thus, this proposed detection method could also be applied efficiently to the patients suffering from different pathophysiological disorders. These biomolecules may also be added externally during analyses to improve the sensing ability. Fluorescence, Raman and circular dichroism spectroscopy were used to study the underlying mechanism of PSA sensing by 1d-Fe-Gr. Molecular docking studies confirm the selective interaction of 1d-Fe-Gr with PSA over other cancer biomarkers.

Hassle free synthesis of nanodimensional Ni, Cu and Zn sulfides for spectral sensing of Hg, Cd and Pb: A comparative study.

A simple room temperature synthesis method of Ni, Cu and Zn sulfide nanoparticles (NPs) in aqueous medium is reported here. The NPs stabilized in aqueous medium by the citrate ions were characterized by UV-vis, ζ potentials, TEM and Raman spectroscopic techniques. The solid NPs could be isolated from the aqueous medium when allowed to stand for a prolonged time (~20h). The solids were also characterized by IR and powder X-ray analysis. The nanoparticles were further used for the development of facile optical sensing and detection of heavy metal ions at trace scale. Alterations in the absorption spectra of the generated NPs were indicative of their interactions with heavy metal ions. Raman spectral measurements further validate the detection technique. It is found that out of the three synthesized nanoparticles, nickel sulfide NP is a specific sensor for mercury ions whereas zinc sulfide and copper sulfide NPs act as sensors for Hg2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+.

Detoxification of Hg(II) from aqueous and enzyme media: Pristine vs. tailored calcium alginate hydrogels.

Calcium alginate (CA) hydrogels were tailored using phenolic compounds (PC) like, thymol, morin, catechin, hesperidin, during their preparation. The PC incorporated gels show modified surface features as indicated by scanning electron microscopic images (SEM). The rheological studies show that excepting the hesperidin incorporated gels all the other kinds including calcium alginate pristine have similar mechanical strength. The hesperidine incorporated CA gels had the maximum capacity to adsorb Hg. The Freundlich adsorption isotherms show higher values of adsorption capacity for all PC incorporated CA beads than the pristine CA (PCA). The hesperidin incorporated CA gels were found to show the best adsorption condition at neutral pH and an optimum contact time of 2.5h at 25°C. Considering the possibility of ingested Hg detoxification from human alimentary tract, the hesperidin and morin incorporated CA beads were further modified through incorporation of cod liver oil as the digestion time of fat in stomach is higher. In vitro uptake capacities of Hg in pepsin and pancreatin containing enzyme media were studied with hesperidin and morin incorporated beads and their corresponding fat incorporated beads also. In the pepsin medium, there was no uptake by hesperidin and fat-hesperidin incorporated beads, which is possibly due to the higher acidity of the medium. But in pancreatin medium Hg was taken up by both kinds of beads. Morin and morin-fat incorporated beads were efficient to uptake Hg from both the pepsin and pancreatin medium. The tailored CA beads may therefore serve as efficient scaffolds to rescue Hg ingested individuals.

Spectral anion sensing and γ-radiation induced magnetic modifications of polyphenol generated Ag-nanoparticles.

A fast one step bio-synthesis for in situ preparation of silver nanoparticles is proposed. The method involves reduction of AgNO3 with an aqueous extract of peanut skin, which is a good source of polyphenols. The silver nanoparticles thus synthesized were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and magnetic measurements. Effect of low dose γ irradiation during the synthesis was studied and their physico-chemical properties were compared with those produced without irradiation. On the contrary to the diamagnetic behavior of bulk silver, the silver nanoparticles thus prepared show a significant ferromagnetic moment component. Variable time exposure to γ-irradiation results in an exponential decay of ferromagnetic component. A freshly prepared solution of silver nanoparticles shows selective spectral changes towards iodide ions at trace concentration (below 50 µM) among a series of 16 other competing anions. The prepared nanoparticles are therefore suitable for anion sensing application.