Towards papertronics based electrode decorated with zinc oxide nanoparticles for the detection of the yellow fever virus consensus sequence

Abstract

Yellow fever virus (YFV) triggers a severe viral hemorrhagic disease with significant clinical and epidemiological significance. The World Health Organization has recognized YFV as a worldwide health emergency. Unfortunately, YFV does not have a specific antiviral treatment. Therefore, an early detection method, which can be easy to perform in a low-resource setting, could increase the chances of survival and the successful management of this disease. Hence, this study developed a paper-based analytical device based on electrochemical sensing to detect the YFV consensus sequence. To the best of our understanding, this study is the first paper-based electrochemical detection platform for YFV detection, employs a screen-printed carbon ink electrode. Printed electrodes on cellulose paper were studied with cyclic voltammetry to demonstrate the electrochemical fundamentals. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements were performed utilizing a potentiostat. The probe DNA (PDNA)-modified electrode was used as a signal modulation platform for hybridization with target DNA (TDNA), which was recognized by a decrease in current produced by the contact of an anionic mediator, Methylene Blue (MB). In addition, an optimum response and a broad linear range of 0.01–100 µM were reported for YFV-TDNA, with a detection limit of 0.01 µM. The suggested approach should be user-friendly for rural locations with low resources and those who cannot afford high-priced medical diagnostics and have limited access to qualified personnel. Because of this, we have decided to deal with this problem by using electrochemical paper-based analytical devices (ePADs) based on electrochemical detection.