Ke-Jing Huang

Novel electrochemical sensor based on functionalized graphene for simultaneous determination of adenine and guanine in DNA

A nano-material carboxylic acid functionalized graphene (graphene-COOH) was prepared and used to construct a novel biosensor for the simultaneous detection of adenine and guanine. The direct electrooxidation behaviors of adenine and guanine on the graphene-COOH modified glassy carbon electrode (graphene-COOH/GCE) were carefully investigated by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. The results indicated that both adenine and guanine showed the increase of the oxidation peak currents with the negative shift of the oxidation peak potentials in contrast to that on the bare glassy carbon electrode. The electrochemical parameters of adenine and guanine on the graphene-COOH/GCE were calculated and a simple and reliable electroanalytical method was developed for the detection of adenine and guanine, respectively. The modified electrode exhibited good behaviors in the simultaneous detection of adenine and guanine with the peak separation as 0.334V. The detection limit for individual determination of guanine and adenine was 5.0×10(-8)M and 2.5×10(-8)M (S/N=3), respectively. Furthermore, the measurements of thermally denatured single-stranded DNA were carried out and the value of (G+C)/(A+T) of single-stranded DNA was calculated as 0.80. The biosensor exhibited some advantages, such as simplicity, rapidity, high sensitivity, good reproducibility and long-term stability.

A disposable electrochemical immunosensor for carcinoembryonic antigen based on nano-Au/multi-walled carbon nanotubes-chitosans nanocomposite film modified glassy carbon electrode.

In this paper, a disposable electrochemical immunosensor for the detection of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) based on Au nanoparticles (AuNPs)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)-chitosans (Chits) composite film was developed. MWCNTs-Chits homogeneous composite was first dispersed in acetic acid solution and then the AuNPs was in situ synthesized at the composite. The mixture was dripped on the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and then CEA antibody (anti-CEA) was immobilized on the resulted modified electrode to construct the immunosensor. The stepwise assembly process of the immunosensor was characterized by means of cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). CV and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) studies demonstrated that the formation of antibody-antigen complexes decreased peak current of [Fe(CN)(6)](3-/4-) redox pair at the AuNPs/MWCNTs-Chits/GCE. The optimization of the pH of supporting electrolyte, the incubation temperature and time were studied in detail. Under optimal conditions, the peak current of DPV of the immunosensor decreased linearly with increasing CEA concentration in two ranges of 0.3-2.5 and 2.5-20 ng mL(-1), with a detection limit of 0.01 ng mL(-1) (S/N=3). This electrochemical immunoassay combines the specificity of the immunological reaction with the sensitivity of the AuNPs and MWCNTs amplified electrochemical detection. It would be valuable for diagnosis and monitoring of carcinoma.

A graphene-based electrochemical sensor for sensitive determination of caffeine.

An electrochemical sensor based on the electrocatalytic activity of graphene (Gr) for sensitive detection of caffeine is presented. The electrochemical behaviors of caffeine on Nafion-Gr modified glassy carbon electrode (Nafion-Gr/GCE) were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. The results showed that the Nafion-Gr/GCE exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity to caffeine. Caffeine can be effectively accumulated at Nafion-Gr/GCE and produce a sensitive anodic peak. Such electrocatalytic behavior of Gr is attributed to its unique physical and chemical properties, e.g., subtle electronic characteristics and strong adsorptive capability. This electrochemical sensor shows an excellent performance for detecting caffeine with a detection limit of 1.2×10(-7) M (S/N=3), a reproducibility of 5.2% relative standard deviation, and a satisfied recovery from 98.6% to 102.0%. The sensor shows great promise for simple and sensitive determination of caffeine.

Ultrasound-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction combined with high-performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detection for sensitive determination of biogenic amines in rice wine samples

Ultrasound-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detection was used for the extraction and determination of three biogenic amines including octopamine, tyramine and phenethylamine in rice wine samples. Fluorescence probe 2,6-dimethyl-4-quinolinecarboxylic acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester was applied for derivatization of biogenic amines. Acetonitrile and 1-octanol were used as disperser solvent and extraction solvent, respectively. Extraction conditions including the type of extraction solvent, the volume of extraction solvent, ultrasonication time and centrifuging time were optimized. After extraction and centrifuging, analyte was injected rapidly into high-performance liquid chromatography and then detected with fluorescence. The calibration graph of the proposed method was linear in the range of 5-500 microg mL(-1) (octopamine and tyramine) and 0.025-2.5 microg mL(-1) (phenethylamine). The relative standard deviations were 2.4-3.2% (n=6) and the limits of detection were in the range of 0.02-5 ng mL(-1). The method was applied to analyze the rice wine samples and spiked recoveries in the range of 95.42-104.56% were obtained. The results showed that ultrasound-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction was a very simple, rapid, sensitive and efficient analytical method for the determination of trace amount of biogenic amines.

Spectrofluorimetric determination of glutathione in human plasma by solid-phase extraction using graphene as adsorbent.

An efficient solid phase extraction-spectrofluorimetric method using graphene as adsorbent was developed to sensitively determine glutathione (GSH) in biological samples. Fluorescent probe N-(4,4-difluoro-5,7-dimethyl-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene-3-yl)methyl)iodoacetamide (BODIPY Fl-C1-IA) was applied for the derivatization of GSH. The procedure was based on BODIPY Fl-C1-IA selective reaction with GSH to form highly fluorescent product BODIPY Fl-C1-IA-GSH, its extraction to the graphene-packed SPE cartridge and spectrofluorimetric determination. Some factors affecting the extraction efficiency, such as the type of the eluent and its volume, sample pH, extraction time, and sample volume were optimized. Comparative studies were also performed between graphene and other adsorbents including C18 silica, graphitic carbon, and multi-walled carbon nanotubes for the extraction of analyte. The calibration graph using the pretreatment system for GSH was linear over the range of 0.5-200 nM. The limit of detection was 0.01 nM (signal-to-noise ratio=3). Relative standard deviation for six replicate determinations of GSH at 80 nM concentration level was lower than 5.0%. The developed method was applied to the determination of GSH in human plasma with recoveries of 92-108%. This work revealed the great potentials of graphene as an excellent sorbent material in the analysis of biological samples.

Development of an ionic liquid-based ultrasonic-assisted liquid–liquid microextraction method for sensitive determination of biogenic amines: Application to the analysis of octopamine, tyramine and phenethylamine in beer samples

A simple and efficient method, ionic liquid-based ultrasound-assisted liquid-liquid microextraction, has been developed for the determination of three biogenic amines including octopamine (OCT), tyramine (TYR) and phenethylamine (PHE). Fluorescence probe 2,6-dimethyl-4-quinolinecarboxylic acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester was applied for derivatization of biogenic amines and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection was used for the determination of the derivatives. The factors affecting the extraction efficiency, such as the type and volume of ionic liquid, ultrasonication time and centrifugation time have been investigated in detail. Under the optimum conditions, linearity of the method was observed in the range of 0.5-50 μgmL(-1) for OCT and TYR, and 0.025-2.5 μgmL(-1) for PHE, respectively, with correlation coefficients (γ)>0.996. The limits of detection ranged from 0.25-50 ngmL(-1) (S/N=3). The spiked recoveries of three target compounds in beer samples were in the range of 90.2-114%. As a result, this method has been successfully applied for the sensitive determination of OCT, TYR and PHE in beer samples.

Disposable immunoassay for hepatitis B surface antigen based on a graphene paste electrode functionalized with gold nanoparticles and a Nafion-cysteine conjugate

AbstractWe report on the modification of a graphene paste electrode with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and a Nafion-L-cysteine composite film, and how this electrode can serve as a platform for the construction of a novel electrochemical immunosensor for the detection of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). To obtain the immunosensor, an antibody against HBsAg was immobilized on the surface of the electrode, and this process was followed by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The peak currents of a hexacyanoferrate redox system decreased on formation of the antibody-antigen complex on the surface of the electrode. Then increased electrochemical response is thought to result from a combination of beneficial effects including the biocompatibility and large surface area of the AuNPs, the high conductivity of the graphene paste electrode, the synergistic effects of composite film, and the increased quantity of HBsAb adsorbed on the electrode surface. The differential pulse voltammetric responses of the hexacyanoferrate redox pair are proportional to the concentration of HBsAg in the range from 0.5–800xa0ngxa0mL−1, and the detection limit is 0.1xa0ngxa0mL−1 (at an S/N of 3). The immunosensor is sensitive and stable.n FigureWe report on the modification of a graphene paste electrode with gold nanoparticles and a Nafion-L-cysteine composite film, and how this electrode can serve as a platform for the construction of a novel electrochemical immunosensor for the detection of hepatitis B surface antigen. The immunosensor is sensitive and stable.

Enhanced sensing of dopamine in the present of ascorbic acid based on graphene/poly(p-aminobenzoic acid) composite film

Graphene/p-aminobenzoic acid composite film modified glassy carbon electrode (Gr/p-ABA/GCE) was first employed for the sensitive determination of dopamine (DA). The electrochemical behavior of DA at the modified electrode was investigated by cyclic voltametry (CV), differential pulse voltametry (DPV) and amperometric curve. The oxidation peak currents of DA increased dramatically at Gr/p-ABA/GCE. The modified electrode was used to electrochemically detect dopamine (DA) in the presence of ascorbic acid (AA). The Gr/p-ABA composite film showed excellent electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of DA in phosphate buffer solution (pH 6.5). The peak separation between DA and AA was large up to 220 mV. Using DPV technique, the calibration curve for DA determination was obtained in the range of 0.05-10 μM. The detection limit for DA was 20 nM. AA did not interfere with the determination of DA because of the very distinct attractive interaction between DA cations and the negatively Gr/p-ABA composite film. The proposed method exhibited good stability and reproducibility.

Direct electrochemistry and electrocatalysis of hemoglobin on carbon ionic liquid electrode

Hemoglobin in agarose was successfully immobilized on a carbon ionic liquid electrode and the direct electrochemical behavior of hemoglobin was investigated. Room temperature ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate was used as the modifier. Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry were used to characterize the hemoglobin on the modified electrode. The results showed that the immobilized hemoglobin retained its bioelectrocatalytic activity. The electrochemistry of hemoglobin provided an opportunity to manufacture a third generation of biosensors. Experimental conditions influencing the biosensor performances such as pH, and potential were optimized and assessed. Under the optimal conditions, hydrogen peroxide was detected in the concentration range from 2x10(-6) to 1.2x10(-3)M with a detection limit of 0.2 microM at S/N=3. The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant was 1.495 mM. The biosensor exhibited some advantages, such as short time respond, high sensitivity, good reproducibility and long-term stability.

Direct electrochemistry of horseradish peroxidase on Nafion/[bmim]PF6/agarose composite film modified glassy carbon electrode

A new strategy to construct electrochemical biosensor for direct electrochemistry of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) based on Nafion, agarose hydrogel and hydrophobic room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([bmim]PF(6)) composite as sensing platform has been described. [bmim]PF(6) has good conductivity and wide electrochemical windows and agarose can maintain biological activity well. Nafion/[bmim]PF(6)/agarose composite combines the advantages of [bmim]PF(6) and agarose. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), ultraviolet visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry (CV) were used to characterize the composite film, showing that the composite film could be effectively constructed on the GCE surface and greatly enhance the electron transfer between HRP and electrode. The factors influencing the performance of the resulting biosensor were studied in detail. The biosensor responded to H(2)O(2) in the linear range from 2x10(-6) to 1.6x10(-4)M with a detection limit of 1.2x10(-7)M (based on the S/N=3). The studied biosensor exhibited good accuracy and high sensitivity. Moreover, the proposed method was economical and efficient.