Electrochemical Detection: Analytical and Biological Challenges

A special issue of Chemosensors (ISSN 2227-9040). This special issue belongs to the section "Analytical Methods, Instrumentation and Miniaturization".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2023) | Viewed by 80611

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Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague (UCT Prague), Technická 5, 166 28 Prague, Czech Republic
Interests: preparation and characterization of electropolymerized layers; modification of polymerized layers; electroanalytical techniques (potentiometry, CV, EIS); electrochemical sensors
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We would like to invite you to submit your contribution to the Special Issue on “Electrochemical Detection: Analytical and Biological Challenges” in Chemosensors.

This Special Issue is dedicated to analytical and biological challenges from the electrochemical field. The innovations that are observed in the field of electrochemical detection are valuable for food quality monitoring, health diagnostics, environment, chemical process control, and forensic analysis. Despite the fast progress in the field of electrochemical detection, there is a requirement to improve sensitivity, selectivity, and stability of systems working on the electrochemical principles. Challenges in this area can be new sensitive materials, surface treatments, and innovative processes that can lead to improved parameters of existing sensors or new sensor systems.

The Special Issue will cover but not be limited to the following topics:

  • Advances in electrochemical detection (potentiometry, amperometry, voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy);
  • Novel concepts’ electrochemical detection;
  • Preparation, modification, and characterization electrodes;
  • Molecular recognition with electrochemical detection;
  • Trends in analytical electrochemistry;
  • Electrochemical sensors and sensor-array chemometrics;
  • Applied analytical electrochemistry.

The aim of this Special Issue is to identify novel trends that lead to improvement of the characteristics of electrochemical sensors critical for their application. Studies concerning electrochemical detection of biologically significant analytes will be presented.This Special Issue opens the possibility for contributions from the researcher community including the younger generation working in the field of electrochemical detection.

On behalf of the Guest Editor and the Editor-in Chief, we encourage you to submit your work to this Special Issue.

Dr. Gabriela Broncová
Guest Editor

If you want to learn more information or need any advice, you can contact the Special Issue Editor Tammy Zhang via <[email protected]> directly.

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 2813 KiB  
Article
An Electrochemical Immunosensor with PEDOT: PSS/MWCNTs-COOH Nanocomposites as a Modified Working Electrode Material for Detecting Tau-441
by Hanwen Ren, Xiansu Liu, Shanshan Wei, Feijun Zhao, Zhencheng Chen and Haolin Xiao
Chemosensors 2023, 11(12), 573; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors11120573 - 4 Dec 2023
Viewed by 2012
Abstract
The progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is positively correlated with the phosphorylation damage of Tau-441 protein, which is the marker with the most potential for the early detection of AD. The low content of Tau-441 in human serum is a major difficulty for [...] Read more.
The progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is positively correlated with the phosphorylation damage of Tau-441 protein, which is the marker with the most potential for the early detection of AD. The low content of Tau-441 in human serum is a major difficulty for the realization of content detection. Herein, we prepared an electrochemical immunosensor modified with Poly(3,4-ethylene-dioxythiophene)-poly (styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT: PSS)/Carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNTs-COOH) nanocomposites based on electrochemical immunoassay technology for the low-concentration detection of Tau-441. The immunosensor based on the nanocomposite can take advantage of the characteristics of conductive polymers to achieve electrical signal amplification and use MWCNTs-COOH to increase the contact area of the active site and bond with the Tau-441 antibodies on the electrode. The physicochemical and electrical properties of PEDOT: PSS/MWCNTs-COOH were studied by in situ characterization techniques and electrochemical characterization methods, indicating that the immunosensor has high selectivity and sensitivity to the Tau-441 immune reaction. Under optimized optimal conditions, the electrochemical immunosensor detected a range of concentrations of Tau-441 to obtain a low detection of limit (0.0074 ng mL−1) and demonstrated good detection performance through actual human serum sample testing experiments. Therefore, the study provides an effective reference value for the early diagnosis of AD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrochemical Detection: Analytical and Biological Challenges)
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15 pages, 2630 KiB  
Article
A 3D-Printed Electrochemical Immunosensor Employing Cd/Se ZnS QDs as Labels for the Rapid and Ultrasensitive Detection of Salmonella typhimurium in Poultry Samples
by Michailia Angelopoulou, Dimitra Kourti, Maria Mertiri, Panagiota Petrou, Sotirios Kakabakos and Christos Kokkinos
Chemosensors 2023, 11(9), 475; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors11090475 - 26 Aug 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2391
Abstract
Salmonella is one of the leading causes of foodborne illnesses worldwide, with poultry products being a major source of contamination. Thus, the detection of salmonella in commercial poultry products is crucial to minimize the effects on public health. Electrochemical sensors are promising tools [...] Read more.
Salmonella is one of the leading causes of foodborne illnesses worldwide, with poultry products being a major source of contamination. Thus, the detection of salmonella in commercial poultry products is crucial to minimize the effects on public health. Electrochemical sensors are promising tools for bacteria detection due to their sensitivity, simplicity, and potential for on-site analysis. In this work, a three-dimensional (3D) printed electrochemical immunosensor for the determination of Salmonella typhimurium in fresh chicken through a sandwich immunoassay employing biotinylated anti-S. typhimurium antibody followed by streptavidin labeled with Cd/Se ZnS quantum dots (QDs) is presented. The device features three carbon-black polylactic acid electrodes and a holder, and the quantification of S. typhimurium is performed by anodic stripping voltametric (ASV) determination of the Cd(II) released after acidic dissolution of the QDs. To enhance sensitivity, an electroplated bismuth film was deposited on the working electrode, achieving a detection limit of 5 cfu/mL in a total assay time of 25 min, whereas 5 h of sample pre-enrichment was required for the detection of 1 cfu/25 mL of chicken rinse and chicken broth. The method is accurate, with %recovery values ranging from 93.3 to 113% in fresh chicken samples, and repeatable with intra- and inter- assay coefficient of variations <2 and 5%, respectively, indicating the suitability of the proposed immunosensor for the detection of S. typhimurium at the point-of-need. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrochemical Detection: Analytical and Biological Challenges)
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13 pages, 1735 KiB  
Article
Automatic Analysis of Isothermal Amplification via Impedance Time-Constant-Domain Spectroscopy: A SARS-CoV-2 Case Study
by Roberto G. Ramírez-Chavarría, Elizabeth Castillo-Villanueva, Bryan E. Alvarez-Serna, Julián Carrillo-Reyes, Lizeth Torres, Rosa María Ramírez-Zamora, Germán Buitrón and Luis Alvarez-Icaza
Chemosensors 2023, 11(4), 230; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors11040230 - 7 Apr 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1927
Abstract
The development of sensitive and affordable testing devices for infectious diseases is essential to preserve public health, especially in pandemic scenarios. In this work, we have developed an attractive analytical method to monitor products of genetic amplification, particularly the loop-mediated isothermal amplification reaction [...] Read more.
The development of sensitive and affordable testing devices for infectious diseases is essential to preserve public health, especially in pandemic scenarios. In this work, we have developed an attractive analytical method to monitor products of genetic amplification, particularly the loop-mediated isothermal amplification reaction (RT-LAMP). The method is based on electrochemical impedance measurements and the distribution of relaxation times model, to provide the so-called time-constant-domain spectroscopy (TCDS). The proposed method is tested for the SARS-CoV-2 genome, since it has been of worldwide interest due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Particularly, once the method is calibrated, its performance is demonstrated using real wastewater samples. Moreover, we propose a simple classification algorithm based on TCDS data to discriminate among positive and negative samples. Results show how a TCDS-based method provides an alternative mechanism for label-free and automated assays, exhibiting robustness and specificity for genetic detection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrochemical Detection: Analytical and Biological Challenges)
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16 pages, 18432 KiB  
Article
The Novel Three-Layer Electrode Based on Poly(Neutral Red) for Potentiometric Determination of Citrates
by Gabriela Broncová, Tatiana V. Shishkanova and Pavel Matějka
Chemosensors 2023, 11(3), 170; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors11030170 - 2 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1437
Abstract
The three-layer electrode consisting of the inner, middle, and outer layers of polythiophene (PTh), polyaniline (PANI), and poly(neutral red) (PNR), respectively, was developed, characterized, and tested as a potentiometric sensor for citrates. The spectroscopic and morphological findings based on Raman spectroscopy and scanning [...] Read more.
The three-layer electrode consisting of the inner, middle, and outer layers of polythiophene (PTh), polyaniline (PANI), and poly(neutral red) (PNR), respectively, was developed, characterized, and tested as a potentiometric sensor for citrates. The spectroscopic and morphological findings based on Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, respectively, demonstrated the consecutive formation of individual polymeric layers derived from PTh, PANI, and PNR in the multilayer system. The sharper and narrower peak profiles of PNR in the case of the three-layer system revealed a more organized structure than for the PNR layer alone. The PNR layer in such a novel arrangement shows the highest selectivity towards citrates among the tested carboxylates. Simultaneously, the unwanted influence of the underlying Pt surface is eliminated. The potentiometric characteristics of the proposed potentiometric sensor were examined at the detection of citrates in the real-world samples, compared with results for PNR simple electrode, and corresponded with the reference capillary electrophoresis and literature-based spectrophotometric method. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrochemical Detection: Analytical and Biological Challenges)
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12 pages, 2765 KiB  
Article
Selective Label-Free Electrochemical Aptasensor Based on Carbon Nanotubes for Carbendazim Detection
by Constanza J. Venegas, Luna Rodríguez and Paulina Sierra-Rosales
Chemosensors 2023, 11(2), 117; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors11020117 - 4 Feb 2023
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2091
Abstract
One of the most widely used pesticides in Chile is carbendazim (CBZ), which in agriculture is used to protect crops from fungal diseases that commonly occur in rice, vegetable, and fruit crops. However, prolonged exposure to it, and its high persistence, can cause [...] Read more.
One of the most widely used pesticides in Chile is carbendazim (CBZ), which in agriculture is used to protect crops from fungal diseases that commonly occur in rice, vegetable, and fruit crops. However, prolonged exposure to it, and its high persistence, can cause adverse health effects. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the presence of CBZ through rapid detection methods in food samples to prevent ingestion and exposure to this pesticide at risk concentrations. In this work, a label-free electrochemical aptasensor based on functionalized carbon nanotubes was prepared for CBZ detection. The carbodiimide reaction between the amino-terminated aptamer and the carboxylic groups of carbon nanotubes achieved the covalent immobilization of the aptamer. The immobilized aptamer changed its conformation when it detected CBZ and blocked access to the redox mediator on the electrode surface, resulting in a measurable decrease in the voltammetric response. Under the optimal conditions, the aptasensor featured a linear detection range between 1.0 and 50.0 nM, with a detection limit of 4.35 nM. Moreover, the aptasensor exhibited good selectivity for CBZ, among other pesticides, and good repeatability. For CBZ detection in tomatoes, the aptasensor accurately measured CBZ content in a sample prepared using the standard addition method. This work provides a simple, rapid, sensitive, and selective biosensor for CBZ detection and quantification in food samples. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrochemical Detection: Analytical and Biological Challenges)
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15 pages, 3389 KiB  
Article
Molecular Structure Underlying the Allosteric Mechanism of Caffeine Detection in Taste Sensor
by Hengwei Xu, Zeyu Zhao, Shunsuke Kimura, Takeshi Onodera and Kiyoshi Toko
Chemosensors 2023, 11(2), 97; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors11020097 - 30 Jan 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2302
Abstract
The use of taste sensors with lipid/polymer membranes is one of the methods to evaluate taste. As previously reported, taste sensors can detect non-charged substances such as caffeine by modifying the lipid/polymer membranes with hydroxybenzoic acids (HBAs). The mechanism of caffeine detection by [...] Read more.
The use of taste sensors with lipid/polymer membranes is one of the methods to evaluate taste. As previously reported, taste sensors can detect non-charged substances such as caffeine by modifying the lipid/polymer membranes with hydroxybenzoic acids (HBAs). The mechanism of caffeine detection by taste sensors was identified to be an allosteric one. Generally, the allosteric mechanism, defined as “regulation at distant sites”, is used to describe the regulation process for proteins. In this study, to improve the sensitivity of taste sensors to caffeine and its analogs using the allosteric mechanism, we used various modifiers of lipid/polymer membranes, and we detected caffeine using taste sensors with the modified membranes. The detection of the caffeine analogs theophylline and theobromine was also analyzed. The results of caffeine detection clarified that the molecular structure underlying the allosteric mechanism capable of effective caffeine detection involves both the carboxyl and hydroxyl groups, where the hydroxyl group can form intermolecular H bonds with caffeine. Furthermore, the taste sensors with a modifier, which has the molecular structure underlying the allosteric mechanism, showed high sensitivity to caffeine and caffeine analogs. The use of an allosteric mechanism may help improve the sensitivity of taste sensors to other non-charged pharmaceutical substances, such as dexamethasone and prednisolone, in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrochemical Detection: Analytical and Biological Challenges)
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13 pages, 3224 KiB  
Article
Highly Sensitive Simultaneous Stripping Voltametric Detection of Zn2+, Cd2+ and Hg2+ by Bismuth Codeposition Procedure with Graphdiyne−Modified Electrode
by Yijing Ai, Lisi Wang, Wanting Fu, Xiang Ye, Juan Zhou, Xiaoping Zhang, Shuhai He and Wei Sun
Chemosensors 2023, 11(2), 75; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors11020075 - 18 Jan 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1767
Abstract
In this paper, graphdiyne (GDY)−modified glassy carbon electrode was prepared and further used for the sensitive and simultaneous detection of three target heavy metal ions of Zn2+, Cd2+ and Hg2+ by codeposition with Bi3+ in the mixture solution. [...] Read more.
In this paper, graphdiyne (GDY)−modified glassy carbon electrode was prepared and further used for the sensitive and simultaneous detection of three target heavy metal ions of Zn2+, Cd2+ and Hg2+ by codeposition with Bi3+ in the mixture solution. GDY−modified electrodes exhibit a larger electrode area and abundant active sites, which is favorable for absorbing more metal ions. Bismuth has low toxicity and can form alloys with zinc, cadmium and mercury. Therefore, three kinds of heavy metal ions can be pre-concentrated with bismuth on the GDY−modified electrode surface, and the following stripping analysis results in high sensitivity and selectivity. By using differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry, the detection ranges of Zn2+, Cd2+ and Hg2+ were from 2.0 to 100.0 μM with low detection limits of 0.255 μM, 0.367 μM and 0.796 μM, respectively. In addition, the sensor showed excellent repeatability, reproducibility, and stability, which was applied to sensitive analysis of river water samples with satisfactory results. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrochemical Detection: Analytical and Biological Challenges)
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14 pages, 3725 KiB  
Article
Potentiometric Sensor Based on Layered Pillar[6]arene—Copper Composite
by Michail Sorvin, Guzeliya Galimzyanova, Vladimir Evtugyn, Alexey Ivanov, Dmitry Shurpik, Ivan Stoikov and Gennady Evtugyn
Chemosensors 2023, 11(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors11010012 - 22 Dec 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2247
Abstract
A solid-contact potentiometric sensor has been developed on the basis of glassy carbon electrode covered with electropolymerized polyaniline and alternatively layered pillar[6]arene and Cu2+ ions films. The assembly of the surface layer was confirmed by surface plasmon resonance measurements. The number of [...] Read more.
A solid-contact potentiometric sensor has been developed on the basis of glassy carbon electrode covered with electropolymerized polyaniline and alternatively layered pillar[6]arene and Cu2+ ions films. The assembly of the surface layer was confirmed by surface plasmon resonance measurements. The number of deposited layers was selected to reach better analytical characteristics for Cu2+ determination. It was shown that better results were achieved by using five layers, the upper one consisting of the macrocycle. The addition of covering layers for polyelectrolytes (Nafion, poly(styrene sulfonate)) and Cu2+ ions did not improve sensor performance. The potentiometric sensor made it possible to determine Cu2+ ions in neutral and weakly acidic media with a linear range of the concentrations, from 3.0 μM to 10.0 mM (limit of detection 3.0 μM). The applicability of the sensor in real sample assays was confirmed by the determination of Cu2+ ions in copper vitriol, Bordeaux mixture, and polyvitamin-mineral pills of “Complivit” during an atomic emission spectroscopy analysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrochemical Detection: Analytical and Biological Challenges)
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Review

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46 pages, 5210 KiB  
Review
Electrochemical Sweat Sensors
by Emanuel Bilbao, Octavio Garate, Theo Rodríguez Campos, Mariano Roberti, Mijal Mass, Alex Lozano, Gloria Longinotti, Leandro Monsalve and Gabriel Ybarra
Chemosensors 2023, 11(4), 244; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors11040244 - 14 Apr 2023
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 5302
Abstract
Sweat analysis by means of minimally invasive wearable sensors is considered a potentially disruptive method for assessing clinical parameters, with exciting applications in early medical diagnostics and high-performance sports. Electrochemical sensors and biosensors are especially attractive because of the possibility of the electronic [...] Read more.
Sweat analysis by means of minimally invasive wearable sensors is considered a potentially disruptive method for assessing clinical parameters, with exciting applications in early medical diagnostics and high-performance sports. Electrochemical sensors and biosensors are especially attractive because of the possibility of the electronic integration of wearable devices. In this article, we review several aspects regarding the potentialities and present limitations of electrochemical sweat (bio)sensors, including: the main target analytes and their relationships with clinical conditions; most usual electrochemical techniques of transduction used according to the nature of the target analytes; issues connected to the collection of representative sweat samples; aspects regarding the associated, miniaturized electronic instrumentation used for signal processing and communication; and signal processing by machine learning. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrochemical Detection: Analytical and Biological Challenges)
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33 pages, 8384 KiB  
Review
Nanocomposite-Based Electrochemical Sensors for Neurotransmitters Detection in Neurodegenerative Diseases
by Thenmozhi Rajarathinam, Mijeong Kang, Sungmoo Hong and Seung-Cheol Chang
Chemosensors 2023, 11(2), 103; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors11020103 - 1 Feb 2023
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3631
Abstract
Neurotransmitters (NTs) are crucial regulatory molecules responsible for maintaining the neurophysiological functioning of the brain. Dysregulated levels of certain NTs, such as dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, epinephrine, glutamate, and gamma-aminobutyric acid, are often correlated with the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases that involve the progressive [...] Read more.
Neurotransmitters (NTs) are crucial regulatory molecules responsible for maintaining the neurophysiological functioning of the brain. Dysregulated levels of certain NTs, such as dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, epinephrine, glutamate, and gamma-aminobutyric acid, are often correlated with the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases that involve the progressive and selective loss of structure or function of neuronal systems. Therefore, the identification and validation of relevant biomarkers are essential to diagnose these diseases much earlier. However, the quantitative analysis of NTs is challenging because of their dynamic release and presence of low concentrations. Accordingly, nanocomposite (NC)-based electrochemical sensors have been studied extensively and are gaining tremendous interest due to their high sensitivity, response rate, stability, portability, ease of use in point-of-care diagnostics, amenability to microprocessing, and low cost. In this review, we first briefly discuss the potential biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases, NC-based electrochemical sensors and their advantages and disadvantages, and the properties of the NCs, which further increase the sensor performance. Finally, we summarized the future perspectives of NC-based electrochemical sensors in the clinical set-up for NTs detection to identify research gaps. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrochemical Detection: Analytical and Biological Challenges)
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22 pages, 2092 KiB  
Review
Electrochemical Sensors and Their Applications: A Review
by Jaya Baranwal, Brajesh Barse, Gianluca Gatto, Gabriela Broncova and Amit Kumar
Chemosensors 2022, 10(9), 363; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors10090363 - 9 Sep 2022
Cited by 266 | Viewed by 54050
Abstract
The world of sensors is diverse and is advancing at a rapid pace due to the fact of its high demand and constant technological improvements. Electrochemical sensors provide a low-cost and convenient solution for the detection of variable analytes and are widely utilized [...] Read more.
The world of sensors is diverse and is advancing at a rapid pace due to the fact of its high demand and constant technological improvements. Electrochemical sensors provide a low-cost and convenient solution for the detection of variable analytes and are widely utilized in agriculture, food, and oil industries as well as in environmental and biomedical applications. The popularity of electrochemical sensing stems from two main advantages: the variability of the reporting signals, such as the voltage, current, overall power output, or electrochemical impedance, and the low theoretical detection limits that originate from the differences in the Faradaic and nonFaradaic currents. This review article attempts to cover the latest advances and applications of electrochemical sensors in different industries. The role of nanomaterials in electrochemical sensor research and advancements is also examined. We believe the information presented here will encourage further efforts on the understanding and progress of electrochemical sensors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrochemical Detection: Analytical and Biological Challenges)
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