Cu-PyC MOF with oxidoreductase-like catalytic activity boosting colorimetric detection of Cr(VI) on paper

A paper-based microfluidic immunodevice has recently attracted considerable interest for point-of-care testing (POCT) and a washing procedure was used as a standard procedure in immunoassay to eliminate the nonspecific binding protein from a paper surface. However, the traditional washing method cannot get rid of the nonspecific binding protein more completely to get a lower background. In this work, a novel washing strategy with a ring-oven technique integrated on a paper-based immunodevice was presented, which can effectively wash a nonspecific binding protein and enable a low background for sensitive detection of the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). By immobilizing the antibody on the detection area and incorporating the temperature-controlled ring-oven under the paper-based device, the continuous washing solution can carry the nonspecific binding protein to the waste area freely by capillary force and then the waste area dried quickly by heating. The paper device, which is matched to the size of the ring-oven, is composed of eight microfluidic channels by the simple and rapid paper-cutting fabrication method. With the HRP-catalyzed 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB)-H2O2 colorimetric detection method, a lower detection limit of 0.03 ng/mL CEA can be obtained by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The washing efficiency for the nonspecific binding protein was improved a lot compared to the traditional washing methods, and the established paper-based device can be used in the determination of CEA in human serum with high sensitivity. The paper-based device provides a new washing strategy for sensitive immunoassay and point-of-care diagnostics.

A low-cost mobile platform for whole blood glucose monitoring using colorimetric method

Hexavalent chromium ion (Cr6+) is one of the most toxic substances for plants, for animals, and is a confirmed human respiratory carcinogen. However, so far, there are few independent and efficient colorimetric methods for detection of Cr6+. Here, we introduce a convenient, label-free, catalysis-based, and efficient strategy for quantification of Cr6+ by using a colorimetric sensing probe 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB). In the presence of a trace amount of gold amalgam nanocomposites (Au@Hg) and Cr6+, TMB can be oxidized to oxTMB and the color changed to an intense blue that was observed by naked-eye and absorption spectroscopic method. In addition, the colorimetric method shows the high selectivity against 34 other interfering substances, and it can be performed at room temperature, in water, and requires only ∼5 min. Thus, the catalysis-based colorimetric assay for accurate and ultrahigh selective identification of Cr6+ will find widespread use in the world.

A metal-organic framework (MOF)-encapsulated nanozyme has been developed to detect L-cysteine (L-Cys) through a facile colorimetric sensing method in this study. This nanozyme was prepared by encapsulating Fmoc-histidine (FH) and hemin within ZIF-8 (FH/hemin@ZIF-8) and exhibited significantly enhanced catalytic activity and great stability because of its unique structure. FH/hemin@ZIF-8 oxidized colorless 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) to a distinct blue color with the assistance of H2O2. However, after the addition of L-Cys, this oxidation process was inhibited, resulting in the solution fading from blue to colorless. This change can be observed by the naked eyes and quantitatively analyzed using a UV-vis spectrophotometer. Additionally, this system demonstrated excellent resistance to interference and exceptional selectivity. In addition, this system showed a low detection limit of 23.1 nm (S/N = 3). Consequently, it is believed that the strategy of encapsulating biomimetic nanozymes within MOFs holds significant potential for applications in bioanalysis and the early diagnosis of L-Cys.

Bio-sample detection on paper-based devices with inkjet printer-sprayed reagents

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) acts as a signaling molecule to direct different biological processes. However, its excess amount results in oxidative stress, which causes the onset of different types of cancers. TiO2 nanostructure was synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method. The prepared material was characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, XRD, SEM, EDX, TGA, and Raman spectroscopy, which confirmed the formation of nanostructured material. Subsequently, the prepared nanoparticles (NPs) were capped with 1-H-3-methylimidazolium acetate ionic liquid (IL) to achieve its deagglomeration and functionalization. A new colorimetric sensing probe was prepared for the detection of H2O2 based on ionic liquid-capped TiO2 nanoparticles (TiO2/IL) and 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) dye, which acts as an oxidative chromogenic substrate. H2O2 reacts with TMB, in the presence of ionic liquid-coated TiO2 NPs, to form a blue-green product. The color was visualized with the naked eye, and the colorimetric change was confirmed by a UV–vis spectrophotometer. To obtain the best response of the synthesized sensor, different parameters (time, pH, concentrations, loading of nanomaterials) were optimized. It showed a low limit of detection 8.61 × 10–8 M, a high sensitivity of 2.86 × 10–7 M, and a wide linear range of 1 × 10–9–3.6 × 10–7 M, with a regression coefficient (R2) value of 0.999. The proposed sensor showed a short incubation time of 4 min. The sensing probe did not show any interference from the coexisting species. The TiO2/IL sensor was effectively used for finding H2O2 in the urine samples of cancer patients.

Meso-tetrakis(4-chlorophenyl)porphyrin functionalized CuFe2O4/SiO2 nanocomposites with enhanced peroxidase-like activity conveniently using for visual biosensing at room temperature

Highly sensitive and selective colorimetric detection of glutathione based on Ag [I] ion–3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB)

Co3O4/CuO hollow nanocage hybrids with high oxidase-like activity for biosensing of dopamine

Silver-ceria nanozyme as a colorimetric probe for the rapid detection of lead ions based on oxidase mimic activity.

A new iron porphyrin-based organic polymer (Fe-POP) was synthesized through the William ether reaction. The as-prepared Fe-POP presented high chemical stability, wide pore distribution, high iron content, and strong affinity with 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which contributed to its excellent peroxidase-mimicking performance. In the presence of H2O2, Fe-POP could catalyze the transparent TMB into blue ox-TMB, which could be easily distinguished by the naked eyes. Moreover, glutathione (GSH) and ascorbic acid (AA) could convert blue ox-TMB into colorless TMB due to the inhibitory effect of GSH/AA to the catalytic oxidation of TMB. Based on this phenomenon, a rapid and sensitive colorimetric method for the assay of H2O2, GSH, and AA was developed using Fe-POP as sensor. The detection limits of H2O2, GSH, and AA were 1.37, 0.44, and 0.33μM, respectively. Finally, the colorimetric method based on Fe-POP was used to evaluate the GSH and AA content in real samples, which provided the guidance for GSH and AA supplements in our daily diet, suggesting the significant potential of Fe-POP in practical applications.

Highly sensitive detection for xanthine by combining single-band red up-conversion nanoparticles and cycle signal amplification strategy based on internal filtration effect

In this work, indoxyl-glucoside was used as the substrate to develop a cost-effective, paper-based analytical device for the fluorescent and colorimetric dual-mode detection of β-glucosidase activity through a smartphone. The β-glucosidase can hydrolyze the colorless substrate indoxyl-glucoside to release indoxyl, which will be self-oxidized to generate green products in the presence of oxygen. Meanwhile, the green products emit bright blue-green fluorescence under ultraviolet–visible light irradiation at 365 nm. Fluorescent or colorimetric images were obtained by a smartphone, and the red-green-blue channels were analyzed by the Adobe Photoshop to quantify the β-glucosidase activity. Under the optimum conditions, the relative fluorescent and colorimetric signals have a good linear relationship with the activity of β-glucosidase, in the range of 0.01–1.00 U/mL and 0.25–5.00 U/mL, and the limits of detection are 0.005 U/mL and 0.0668 U/mL, respectively. The activities of β-glucosidase in a crude almond sample measured by the fluorescent and colorimetric methods were 23.62 ± 0.53 U/mL and 23.86 ± 0.25 U/mL, respectively. In addition, the spiked recoveries of normal human serum and crude almond samples were between 87.5% and 118.0%. In short, the paper-based device, combined with a smartphone, can provide a simple, environmentally friendly, and low-cost method for the fluorescent and colorimetric dual-mode detection of β-glucosidase activity.

Higher catalytic activity of porphyrin functionalized Co3O4 nanostructures for visual and colorimetric detection of H2O2 and glucose

Naked eye Y amelogenin gene fragment detection using DNAzymes on a paper-based device