Narsingh R. Nirala

A chitosan-based polyaniline–Au nanocomposite biosensor for determination of cholesterol

A polyaniline–gold (PAni–Au) nanocomposite is chemically synthesized and impregnated in a chitosan matrix for immobilization of cholesterol oxidase on an indium tin oxide-coated glass plate for development of cholesterol biosensors. The PAni–Au nanocomposite is characterized for structural and thermal properties. Further the PAni–Au nanocomposite is used for cholesterol oxidase immobilization and linkage is examined by FTIR. The nanocomposite is used to form a modified bioelectrode by immobilizing cholesterol oxidase in the chitosan matrix and examined under an optical microscope for uniformity and morphological studies. A modified bioelectrode (ChOx/PAni–Au–CH/ITO) is used to detect cholesterol by using a voltammetric technique with a redox mediator. The sensor exhibits linearity in a wide range of 50–500 mg dL−1 with a detection limit of 37.89 mg dL−1, a sensitivity of 0.86 μA mg dL−1 and a shelf life of more than 3 weeks when stored at 4 °C. Voltammetric studies have also been carried out with common possible interferents. Responses are recorded to get enzyme–substrate kinetics for the biosensor and found as Km = 10.84 mg dL−1. The low value of Km indicates that the prepared nanocomposite facilitates the enzymatic reaction and enzymatic activity. Excellent immobilization and enzyme–substrate reactions show a distinct advantage of this matrix over other matrixes used for cholesterol biosensors. The novelty of the prepared electrode lies in its reusability, higher sensitivity, better shelf life, and accuracy.

Functional graphene–gold nanoparticle hybrid system for enhanced electrochemical biosensing of free cholesterol

Realizing the unavailability of fast and reliable diagnostic techniques, especially for cholesterol measurement, the present work reports the development of cost effective bioelectrodes based on a reduced graphene oxide–functionalized gold nanoparticle (∼25 nm) hybrid system (RGO–Fn Au NPs). The electrodes fabricated by the electrophoretic deposition technique attest a synergistically enhanced electrochemical sensing ability of 193.4 μA mM−1 cm−2 for free cholesterol detection, which is much higher than that of the traditional RGO system. The electrochemical impedance studies (EIS) show low charge transfer resistance, RCT, for the hybrid system which is 57% and 60% lower than those of RGO and Au NPs respectively. Also higher loading capacity and enhanced kinetics have been realized for the hybrid system, owing to lower Km value (0.005 mM) and enhanced rate constant (3.8 × 10−4 cm s−1) in comparison with RGO and Au NPs. Moreover, the RGO–Fn Au NP platform promises a wider range of cholesterol detection (0.65–12.93 mM), while simultaneously being capable of detecting as low as 0.34 mM of free cholesterol. Apart from better sensitivity, loading capacity, kinetics and detection range, the system also has appreciable selectivity and stability. This supports its potential to be brought on field in the near future for cost effective and reliable detection from the complex system of human serum.

One step electro-oxidative preparation of graphene quantum dots from wood charcoal as a peroxidase mimetic

In present study, we highlight one-step electrochemical synthesis of nearly uniform size (~ 5nm) of graphene quantum dots (E-GQDs) from wood charcoal and their further application as a peroxidase enzyme mimetic. The structural and optical properties of as-synthesized E-GQDs were probed by TEM, AFM, and spectroscopic techniques. Peroxidase enzyme mimetic potential of E-GQDs were examined for colorimetric detection of H2O2 and glucose. E-GQDs allowed a rapid and sensitive detection of glucose with a detection limit of 0.006mM for dynamic response range of 0.01-0.6mM. The calculated higher value of Vmax (7.2 × 10-7Ms-1) along with lower Km (0.012mM) corroborate enhanced the peroxidase-like activity of E-GQDs. Study introduces a cheap and widely available raw material for the electrochemical synthesis of graphene quantum dots with commendable enzyme mimetic activity which may have a huge impact in developing calorimetric bioanalysis systems.

Partially reduced graphene oxide-gold nanorods composite based bioelectrode of improved sensing performance

The present work proposes partially reduced graphene oxide-gold nanorods supported by chitosan (CH-prGO-AuNRs) as a potential bioelectrode material for enhanced glucose sensing. Developed on ITO substrate by immobilizing glucose oxidase on CH-prGO-AuNRs composite, these CH-prGO-AuNRs/ITO bioelectrodes demonstrate high sensitivity of 3.2 µA/(mg/dL)/cm(2) and linear range of 25-200 mg/dL with an ability to detect as low as 14.5 mg/dL. Further, these CH-prGO-AuNRs/ITO based electrodes attest synergistiacally enhanced sensing properties when compared to simple graphene oxide based CH-GO/ITO electrode. This is evident from one order higher electron transfer rate constant (Ks) value in case of CH-prGO-AuNRs modified electrode (12.4×10(-2) cm/s), in contrast to CH-GO/ITO electrode (6×10(-3) cm/s). Additionally, very low Km value [15.4 mg/dL(0.85 mM)] ensures better binding affinity of enzyme to substrate which is desirable for good biosensor stability and resistance to environmental interferences. Hence, with better loading capacity, kinetics and stability, the proposed CH-prGO-AuNRs composite shows tremendous potential to detect several bio-analytes in the coming future.

Colorimetric detection of cholesterol based on enzyme modified gold nanoparticles

We develop a simple colorimetric method for determination of free cholesterol in aqueous solution based on functionalized gold nanoparticles with cholesterol oxidase. Functionalized gold nanoparticles interact with free cholesterol to produce H2O2 in proportion to the level of cholesterol visually is being detected. The quenching in optical properties and agglomeration of functionalized gold nanoparticles play a key role in cholesterol sensing due to the electron accepting property of H2O2. While the lower ranges of cholesterol (lower detection limit i.e. 0.2mg/dL) can be effectively detected using fluorescence study, the absorption study attests evident visual color change which becomes effective for detection of higher ranges of cholesterol (lower detection limit i.e. 19mg/dL). The shades of red gradually change to blue/purple as the level of cholesterol detected (as evident at 100mg/dL) using unaided eye without the use of expensive instruments. The potential of the proposed method to be applied in the field is shown by the proposed cholesterol measuring color wheel.

Homogenous dispersion of MoS2 nanosheets in polyindole matrix at air-water interface assisted by Langmuir technique.

Two-dimensional (2D) inorganic layered materials when embedded in organic polymer matrix exhibit exotic properties that are grabbing contemporary attention for various applications. Here, nanosheet morphology of molybdenum disufide (MoS2) synthesized via one-pot facile hydrothermal reaction are exfoliated in benign aqueous medium in the presence of indole to obtain a stable dispersion. These exfoliated nanosheets then act as host to template the controlled polymerization of indole. The preassembled MoS2-polyindole (MoS2-PIn) nanostructures are reorganized at the air-water interface using the Langmuir method to facilitate maximum interfacial interaction between nanosheet and polymer. This report emphasizes large area, homogeneous dispersion of uniform-sized MoS2 nanosheets (40-60 nm diameter) in the PIn matrix and the formation of stable and uniform film via the Langmuir-Schaefer (LS) method. These self-assembled, MoS2 decorated PIn LS films are characterized using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The fabricated LS films in sandwiched structure Al/MoS2-PIn/ITO as the Schottky diode portrayed remarkable enhancements in charge transport properties. Our study illustrates the potential of the MoS2-PIn LS film in electronic applications and opens a new dimension for uniform dispersion of 2D materials in other polymers via the Langmuir method for device fabrication and enhancement of electrical properties.

A comparative Study of Aptasensor Vs Immunosensor for Label-Free PSA Cancer Detection on GQDs-AuNRs Modified Screen-Printed Electrodes

Label-free and sensitive detection of PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) is still a big challenge in the arena of prostate cancer diagnosis in males. We present a comparative study for label-free PSA aptasensor and PSA immunosensor for the PSA-specific monoclonal antibody, based on graphene quantum dots-gold nanorods (GQDs-AuNRs) modified screen-printed electrodes. GQDs-AuNRs composite has been synthesized and used as an electro-active material, which shows fast electron transfer and catalytic property. Aptamer or anti-PSA has immobilized onto the surface of modified screen printed electrodes. Three techniques are used simultaneously, viz. cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and electrochemical impedence spectroscopy (EIS) to investigate the analytical performance of both PSA aptasensor and PSA immunosensor with its corresponding PSA antigen. Under optimum conditions, both sensors show comparable results with an almost same limit of detection (LOD) of 0.14 ng mL−1. The results developed with aptasensor and anti-PSA is also checked through the detection of PSA in real samples with acceptable results. Our study suggests some advantages of aptasensor in terms of better stability, simplicity and cost effectiveness. Further our present work shows enormous potential of our developed sensors for real application using voltammetric and EIS techniques simultaneous to get reliable detection of the disease.