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Highlights: [•] We report a new electrochemical sensing protocol for the detection of mercury ion. [•] Gold amalgamation on DNA-based sensing platform was used as nanocatalyst. [•] The signal was amplified by cycling signal amplification strategy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A new dual-amplification strategy of electrochemical signal based on the catalytic recycling of the product was developed for the antigen–antibody interaction by glucose oxidase (GOD)- conjugated gold–silver hollow microspheres (AuAgHSs) coupled with an artificial catalase, Prussian blue nanoparticles (PB), on a graphene-based immunosensing platform. The first signal amplification introduced in this study was based on the labeled GOD on the AuAgHSs toward the catalytic oxidation of glucose. The generated H2O2 was catalytically reduced by the immobilized PB on the graphene nanosheets with the second amplification. With a sandwich-type immunoassay format, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was monitored as a model analyte by using the synthesized AuAgHSs as labels in pH 6.0 phosphate buffer containing 10mM glucose. Under optimal conditions, the electrochemical immunosensor exhibited a wide dynamic range of 0.005–50ngmL−1 with a low detection limit (LOD) of 1.0pgmL−1 CEA (at 3σ). Both the intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation (CVs) were lower than 10%. The specificity and stability of the immunosensor were acceptable. In addition, the assay was evaluated for clinical serum specimens, and received a good correlation with those obtained by the referenced electrochemiluminescent (ECL). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A new electrochemical immunoassay protocol for the determination of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in human serum was developed by means of immobilizing horseradish peroxidase-labeled anti-CEA antibodies (HRP-anti-CEA) on the nanogold/nano-Fe3O4 particles-functionalized polyion complex (PIC) membrane. With a one-step immunoassay format, the formed immunocomplex inhibited partly the bioactive center of the immobilized HRP, and decreased the HRP toward the reduction of H2O2. Nanogold-actuated nano-Fe3O4 mimetic peroxidase was used for the sensitivity improvement of the electrochemical immunosensor with Prussian blue (PB) as mediators. Under optimal conditions, the electrochemical immunosensor displayed a wide dynamic range of 0.1–220ngmL−1 with a relative low detection limit (LOD) of 10pgmL−1 CEA (at 3σ). Intra- and inter-assay show good precisions with a coefficient of variation (CV) lower than 7.8% and 7.3%, respectively. No significant difference at the 95% confidence level was encountered in the analysis of 17 human serum specimens between the electrochemical immunosensor and automatic electrochemiluminescent (ECL) analyzer for the determination of CEA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on a new kind of electrochemical immunosensors for simultaneous determination of the biomarkers carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). Thionine and ferrocene were applied as distinguishable electrochemical tags (and mediators) which were covalently conjugated on anti-AFP and anti-CEA antibodies, respectively, via carboxy groups. The resulting conjugates were co-immobilized on a glassy carbon electrode functionalized with gold nanoparticles. Finally, horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was immobilized onto the modified electrode. Labeled thionine and ferrocene, respectively, act as distinguishable tags for simultaneous determination of AFP and CEA due to the difference in the location of their voltammetric peaks. With a one-step immunoassay format, the analytes in the sample produced transparent immunoaffinity reaction with the corresponding antibodies on the electrode. Once the immunocomplex is formed, it partially inhibits the active center of the immobilized HRP, and this decreased the activity of HRP in terms of reduction of hydrogen peroxide. This immunosensor enables the simultaneous determination of AFP and CEA in a single run and within the same dynamic range (0.01-50 ng mL) and the same lower detection limit (0.01 ng mL). The reproducibility and stability of the immunosensors are acceptable. The dual immunosensor was applied to evaluate several specimens, and the assay results are in acceptable agreement with clinical data. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A new electrochemical immunoassay of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was developed on an organic–inorganic hybrid nanostructure-functionalized carbon electrode by coupling with magnetic bionanolabels. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs), single-stranded DNA, thionine and AFP were utilized for the construction of the immunosensor, while the core–shell Fe3O4-silver nanocomposites were employed for the label of horseradish peroxidase-anti-AFP conjugates (HRP-anti-AFP-AgFe). Electrochemical measurement toward AFP was carried out by using magnetic bionanolabels as traces and H2O2 as enzyme substrate with a competitive-type immunoassay mode. Experimental results indicated that the immunosensors with carbon nanotubes and DNA exhibited better electrochemical responses than those of without carbon nanotubes or DNA. Under optimal conditions, the electrochemical immunosensor by using HRP-anti-AFP-AgFe as signal antibodies exhibited a linear range of 0.001–200ngmL−1 AFP with a low detection limit of 0.5pgmL−1 at 3sB. Both intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation were 7.3%, 9.4%, 8.7% and 10.2%, 7.8%, 9.4% toward 0.01, 30, 120ngmL−1 AFP, respectively. The specificity and stability of the electrochemical immunoassay were acceptable. In addition, the methodology was validated for 12 clinical serum specimens including 9 positive specimens and 3 normal specimens, receiving a good correlation with the results obtained from the referenced electrochemiluminescence assay. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]