An Unlabeled Electrochemical Immunosensor Uses Poly(thionine) and Graphene Quantum Dot-Modified Activated Marigold Flower Carbon for Early Prostate Cancer Detection

Abstract

The activated carbon from marigold flowers (MG) was used to make an unlabeled electrochemical immunosensor to determine prostate cancer. MG was synthesized by hydrothermal carbonization and pyrolysis. MG had a large surface area, was highly conductive, and biocompatible. MG modified with graphene quantum dots produced excellent electron transfer for grafting poly(thionine) (PTH). The amine group of PTH bonded with anti-prostate-specific antigen (Anti-PSA) via glutaraldehyde, forming a layer that improved electron transfer. The binding affinity of the immunosensor, presented as the dissociation constant (Kd), was calculated using the Langmuir isotherm model. The results showed that a lower Kd value indicated greater antibody affinity. The immunosensor exhibited two different linear ranges under optimized conditions: 0.0125 to 1.0 ng mL−1 and 1.0 to 80.0 ng mL−1. The sensor could detect concentrations as low as 0.005 ng mL−1, and had a quantification limit of 0.017 ng mL−1. This immunosensor accurately quantified PSA levels of human serum, and the results were validated using enzyme-linked fluorescence assay (ELFA).