Biosensors for the Detection of Nitrogen-Based Compounds

A special issue of Biosensors (ISSN 2079-6374). This special issue belongs to the section "Biosensor and Bioelectronic Devices".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2021) | Viewed by 15684

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Departamento de Química, Lab 405 and 617, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
Interests: nitrite; nitrate; point-of-care tests; electrochemical biosensors; redox enzymes; microbial proteomics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nitrogen is present in the environment as a wide variety of chemical compounds, including nitrate, nitrite, nitric oxide, nitrous oxide, dinitrogen, ammonium, hydroxylamine, and organic nitrogen. The interconversion of these compounds in the environment constitutes the global biogeochemical cycle of nitrogen, which has been unbalanced by the human-driven input of N compounds in the soil, water, and atmosphere. This poses threats to human health and ecosystems on a global scale, demanding the firm control and monitoring of the most impactful N compounds, in accordance with (inter)national legislation. Moreover, the demand for the effective analysis of nitrogen oxides is also present in food quality control, biomedical research, and clinical diagnostics. However, the quantification of most N compounds is still facing several challenges.

In this Special Issue of Biosensors, we seek state-of-the-art research works focusing the development of improved biosensing tools that could take the lead in the assessment of nitrogen-based compounds. The submission of original research papers and review articles are both welcome.

Prof. Dr. Maria Gabriela Almeida
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • nitrogen cycle
  • N oxides
  • nitrate
  • nitrite
  • nitric oxide
  • nitrous oxide
  • hydroxylamine
  • ammonia/ammonium
  • point in situ tests
  • biosensors
  • enzymes
  • microbes
  • miniaturization, automation
  • lab-on-a-chip

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 1929 KiB  
Article
Microelectrode Sensor for Real-Time Measurements of Nitrite in the Living Brain, in the Presence of Ascorbate
by Tiago Monteiro, Cândida Dias, Cátia F. Lourenço, Ana Ledo, Rui M. Barbosa and M. Gabriela Almeida
Biosensors 2021, 11(8), 277; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios11080277 - 17 Aug 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3192
Abstract
The impaired blood flow to the brain causes a decrease in the supply of oxygen that can result in cerebral ischemia; if the blood flow is not restored quickly, neuronal injury or death will occur. Under hypoxic conditions, the production of nitric oxide [...] Read more.
The impaired blood flow to the brain causes a decrease in the supply of oxygen that can result in cerebral ischemia; if the blood flow is not restored quickly, neuronal injury or death will occur. Under hypoxic conditions, the production of nitric oxide (NO), via the classical L-arginine–NO synthase pathway, is reduced, which can compromise NO-dependent vasodilation. However, the alternative nitrite (NO2) reduction to NO, under neuronal hypoxia and ischemia conditions, has been viewed as an in vivo storage pool of NO, complementing its enzymatic synthesis. Brain research is thus demanding suitable tools to probe nitrite’s temporal and spatial dynamics in vivo. In this work, we propose a new method for the real-time measurement of nitrite concentration in the brain extracellular space, using fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) and carbon microfiber electrodes as sensing probes. In this way, nitrite was detected anodically and in vitro, in the 5–500 µM range, in the presence of increasing physiological concentrations of ascorbate (100–500 µM). These sensors were then tested for real-time and in vivo recordings in the anesthetized rat hippocampus; using fast electrochemical techniques, local and reproducible transients of nitrite oxidation signals were observed, upon pressure ejection of an exogenous nitrite solution into the brain tissue. Nitrite microsensors are thus a valuable tool for investigating the role of this inorganic anion in brain redox signaling. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biosensors for the Detection of Nitrogen-Based Compounds)
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15 pages, 2534 KiB  
Article
NQS-Doped PDMS Solid Sensor: From Water Matrix to Urine Enzymatic Application
by Adrià Martínez-Aviñó, Lusine Hakobyan, Ana Ballester-Caudet, Yolanda Moliner-Martínez, Carmen Molins-Legua and Pilar Campíns-Falcó
Biosensors 2021, 11(6), 186; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios11060186 - 8 Jun 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2782
Abstract
The development of in situ analytical devices has gained outstanding scientific interest. A solid sensing membrane composed of 1,2-naphthoquinone-4-sulfonate (NQS) derivatizing reagent embedded into a polymeric polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite was proposed for in situ ammonium (NH4+) and urea (NH2 [...] Read more.
The development of in situ analytical devices has gained outstanding scientific interest. A solid sensing membrane composed of 1,2-naphthoquinone-4-sulfonate (NQS) derivatizing reagent embedded into a polymeric polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite was proposed for in situ ammonium (NH4+) and urea (NH2CONH2) analysis in water and urine samples, respectively. Satisfactory strategies were also applied for urease-catalyzed hydrolysis of urea, either in solution or glass-supported urease immobilization. Using diffuse reflectance measurements combined with digital image processing of color intensity (RGB coordinates), qualitative and quantitative analyte detection was assessed after the colorimetric reaction took place inside the sensing membrane. A suitable linear relationship was found between the sensor response and analyte concentration, and the results were validated by a thymol-PDMS-based sensor based on the Berthelot reaction. The suggested sensing device offers advantages such as rapidity, versatility, portability, and employment of non-toxic reagents that facilitate in situ analysis in an energy-efficient manner. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biosensors for the Detection of Nitrogen-Based Compounds)
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8 pages, 6051 KiB  
Communication
A Novel Fluorescent Probe for Selective Detection of Hydrazine and Its Application in Imaging
by Ruo-Jun Man, Meng-Ke Wu, Bing Yang and Yu-Shun Yang
Biosensors 2021, 11(5), 130; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios11050130 - 22 Apr 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2544
Abstract
In this work, a novel fluorescent probe with first-time-selected thiazepine backbone, TZPzine-1, was developed for selective detection of hydrazine in water samples and living cells. Chosen from our recent anti-cancer agents, TZPzine-1 inferred structurally based advantages of the optical adjustability and the hydrazine-trapping [...] Read more.
In this work, a novel fluorescent probe with first-time-selected thiazepine backbone, TZPzine-1, was developed for selective detection of hydrazine in water samples and living cells. Chosen from our recent anti-cancer agents, TZPzine-1 inferred structurally based advantages of the optical adjustability and the hydrazine-trapping approach. It also showed applicable properties including high sensitivity (LOD = 50 nM), wide linear range (0–15 equiv.), high selectivity (especially from competing species), rapid response (within 20 min), and practical steadiness in various pH (6.0–11.0) and temperature (15–50 °C) conditions. To satisfy the interdisciplinary requirements in environmental toxicology, TZPzine-1 was successfully applied in water samples and living cells. We hope that the information in this work, as well as the concept of monitoring the nitrogen cycle, may be referable for future research on systematic management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biosensors for the Detection of Nitrogen-Based Compounds)
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Review

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21 pages, 1365 KiB  
Review
Biosensors for Biogenic Amines: A Review
by Helena Vasconcelos, Luís C. C. Coelho, Ana Matias, Cristina Saraiva, Pedro A. S. Jorge and José M. M. M. de Almeida
Biosensors 2021, 11(3), 82; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios11030082 - 13 Mar 2021
Cited by 45 | Viewed by 5652
Abstract
Biogenic amines (BAs) are well-known biomolecules, mostly for their toxic and carcinogenic effects. Commonly, they are used as an indicator of quality preservation in food and beverages since their presence in higher concentrations is associated with poor quality. With respect to BA’s metabolic [...] Read more.
Biogenic amines (BAs) are well-known biomolecules, mostly for their toxic and carcinogenic effects. Commonly, they are used as an indicator of quality preservation in food and beverages since their presence in higher concentrations is associated with poor quality. With respect to BA’s metabolic pathways, time plays a crucial factor in their formation. They are mainly formed by microbial decarboxylation of amino acids, which is closely related to food deterioration, therefore, making them unfit for human consumption. Pathogenic microorganisms grow in food without any noticeable change in odor, appearance, or taste, thus, they can reach toxic concentrations. The present review provides an overview of the most recent literature on BAs with special emphasis on food matrixes, including a description of the typical BA assay formats, along with its general structure, according to the biorecognition elements used (enzymes, nucleic acids, whole cells, and antibodies). The extensive and significant amount of research that has been done to the investigation of biorecognition elements, transducers, and their integration in biosensors, over the years has been reviewed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biosensors for the Detection of Nitrogen-Based Compounds)
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