Sensitive Detection Of Analytes Research Articles

Cutting Edge Nanoplatforms with Smart Bio-sensing Applications: Paving the Way for Sustainable Green Approaches

Abstract: In the era of automation, sustainable technologies employing eco-friendly materials and manufacturing techniques such as ‘Green nanobiosensors’ have taken centre stage, owing to their opulent portfolio encompassing renewable fabrication and design from biomaterials, biocompatibility, and ease of functionalization. Generally, sensors utilize nanomaterials sourced from renewable resources or with minimal environmental impact, such as cellulose nanocrystals, chitosan, and biopolymers, owing to their exceptional properties such as high surface area. With the advent of environmentally conscious attributes in the cutting-edge nano biosensing technology, green nano-biosensors offer innovative avenues for sensitive and selective detection and monitoring of myriad analytes with minimal environmental repercussions. Further, such sensors operate at low energy levels, contributing to reduced energy consumption, and can be mass-produced with minimal environmental influence. The present outlay of literature aims to decipher the utilization of eco-friendly materials and sustainable manufacturing techniques in creating nano-biosensors and subsequently promulgating their advantages in terms of energy efficiency, low environmental impact, and use of renewable resources. Furthermore, this study embellishes a comprehensive framework that delineates the diverse applications of these green nanobiosensors as eco-friendly technological solutions across diverse sectors primarily agriculture, environmental monitoring, and biomedicine, showcasing their potential to revolutionize these domains while minimizing environmental impact.

Customizable OpenGUS immunoassay: A homogeneous detection system using β-glucuronidase switch and label-free antibody

We developed a customizable OpenGUS immunoassay that enables rapid and sensitive detection of analytes without requiring antibody modification. This immunoassay employs label-free whole antibodies, an antibody-binding Z domain (ZD) derived from Staphylococcal protein A, and a β-glucuronidase (GUS) switch mutant, allowing for easy replacement of antibodies to tailor the immunoassays for various targeted antigens. The working principle is that the OpenGUS probe, the fusion protein of ZD and a GUS switch, converts the antibody-antigen interaction into GUS activation in a one-pot reaction. To enhance the signal-to-background ratio of the immunoassay, a GUS switch mutant that exhibits reduced background activation was developed by screening several additional mutations at the diagonal interface residue H514. Moreover, we optimized the composition of the reaction buffer, including organic solvents, salt, and surfactant. Under optimal conditions, we customized OpenGUS immunoassays for Cry j 1, human C-reactive protein, and human lactoferrin, achieving around 10–20-fold maximum fluorescence (15 min) or colorimetric (2 h) responses with picomolar to low nanomolar level detection limit, simply by using commercially available IgGs. Additionally, the three analytes were successfully detected in complex matrices similar to those used in practical applications. We believe that this customizable OpenGUS immunoassay will pave the way for the prompt development of rapid and sensitive homogeneous immunoassays for point-of-care diagnostics, high-throughput testing, and onsite environmental assessments.

Nanozyme-Based Microfluidic Chip System for pH-Regulated Pretreatment and Sensitive Sensing.

Nanozymes, possessing nanomaterial properties and catalytic activities, offer great opportunities to design sensitive analytical detection systems. However, the low interference resistance of nanozymes poses a significant limitation on the precise detection of target substances. Herein, a nanozyme-based microfluidic chip system for pH-regulated pretreatment and sensitive sensing of cysteine (Cys) is reported. The copper metal-organic framework (Cu MOF) exhibits good cysteine oxidase-like activity at pH 7.0, while demonstrating excellent laccase-like activity at pH 8.0. Taking advantage of the pH-regulated enzyme-like activity, the integrated microfluidic device involving the immobilization of Cu MOF eliminates the interference of dopamine (DA) and accurately detects the target Cys. Compared with the untreated reaction system, the developed nanozyme system shows a significantly improved accuracy in detecting Cys, with an R2 value of 0.9914. This work provides an efficient method to enhance the interference resistance of nanozymes and broadens the application in sample pretreatment.

Formation of Armored Silicon Nanowires Array via High-Repetition-Rate Femtosecond Laser Oxidation for Robust Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Detection.

Superhydrophobic nanostructures with dense hotspots and high concentration efficiency are of paramount importance for highly sensitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection. However, their low mechanical strength makes them susceptible to damage from external interferences, leading to hotspot loss and superhydrophobicity failure. In this study, robust SERS detection is achieved using an armored superhydrophobic silicon nanowires array. A micro/nanocross-scale oxide mask is created through high-repetition-rate femtosecond laser oxidation to fabricate the armored nanowires array. The underlying mechanisms of the nanoparticle layer serving as a mask in deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) are analyzed to elucidate the formation of the silicon nanowires. The armored nanowires array SERS substrate exhibits a high contact angle of 158°, demonstrating exceptional analyte enrichment capability. Combined with the dense hotspots provided by the high aspect ratio nanostructures, the detection limit for Rhodamine 6G is 10-13 M, and the enhancement factor (EF) is 4.35 × 109. After undergoing various mechanical tests, the substrate maintains its superhydrophobicity along with a stable Raman signal enhancement, demonstrating its resistance to potential external interference in SERS detection. The sensitive detection of various analytes highlights the promising applications of the armored nanowires substrate in diverse SERS scenarios.

A universal optical aptasensor for antibiotics determination based on a new high-efficiency Förster resonance energy transfer pair.

A novel "turn-on" aptasensor for kanamycin (Kana) detection based on a new Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) pair is reported. A new organic small molecule was employed as a high-efficiency quencher for fluorophore. Based on specific interactions between ssDNA and the quencher, an ingenious and amplified strategy was designed. In the absence of the target, the fluorescence of the fluorophore labeled at the end of the aptamer was quenched. After the binding of the aptamer to the target, the fluorescence was recovered and amplified. The proposed aptasensor showed high specificity, selectivity, and stability in complicated systems. With the P3-based strategy, the limit of detection for Kana is estimated to be 10nM, which is much lower than the maximum allowable concentration in milk. The recoveries of spiked Kana in milk were in the range 99.8 ~ 105.3% (n = 3). Fortunately, this novel method can be easily extended to other antibiotics such as tobramycin by simply replacing the aptamer, showing great potential as a universal platform for selective, sensitive, and rapid detection of hazardous analytes in food samples.

Nanofractionation Analytics for Comparing MALDI-MS and ESI-MS Data of Viperidae Snake Venom Toxins.

Worldwide, it is estimated that there are 1.8 to 2.7 million cases of envenoming caused by snakebites. Snake venom is a complex mixture of protein toxins, lipids, small molecules, and salts, with the proteins typically responsible for causing pathology in snakebite victims. For their chemical characterization and identification, analytical methods are required. Reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (RP-LC-ESI-MS) is a widely used technique due to its ease of use, sensitivity, and ability to be directly coupled after LC separation. This method allows for the efficient separation of complex mixtures and sensitive detection of analytes. On the other hand, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) is also sometimes used, and though it typically requires additional sample preparation steps, it offers desirable suitability for the analysis of larger biomolecules. In this study, seven medically important viperid snake venoms were separated into their respective venom toxins and measured by ESI-MS. In parallel, using nanofractionation analytics, post-column high-resolution fractionation was used to collect the eluting toxins for further processing for MALDI-MS analysis. Our comparative results showed that the deconvoluted snake venom toxin masses were observed with good sensitivity from both ESI-MS and MALDI-MS approaches and presented overlap in the toxin masses recovered (between 25% and 57%, depending on the venom analyzed). The mass range of the toxins detected in high abundance was between 4 and 28 kDa. In total, 39 masses were found in both the ESI-MS and/or MALDI-MS analyses, with most being between 5 and 9 kDa (46%), 13 and 15 kDa (38%), and 24 and 28 kDa (13%) in size. Next to the post-column MS analyses, additional coagulation bioassaying was performed to demonstrate the parallel post-column assessment of venom activity in the workflow. Most nanofractionated venoms exhibited anticoagulant activity, with three venoms additionally exhibiting toxins with clear procoagulant activity (Bothrops asper, Crotalus atrox, and Daboia russelii) observed post-column. The results of this study highlight the complementarity of ESI-MS and MALDI-MS approaches for characterizing snake venom toxins and provide a complementary overview of defined toxin masses found in a diversity of viper snake venoms.

A Dual-Function AgNW@COF SERS Membrane for Organic Pollutant Removal and Simultaneous Concentration Determination.

Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a highly sensitive analytical detection method commonly employed in biochemical and environmental analysis. Nevertheless, the rapid movement of analytes and interfering components in flow systems can impact the real-time, online detection capability of Raman spectroscopy. To address this issue, we developed an innovative approach utilizing covalent organic framework (COF), a robust porous material with excellent water stability, to coat the surface of Ag nanowire (AgNW) for synthesizing AgNW@COF hybrid. The regular pores of the COF serve to effectively eliminate large interfering molecules while facilitating the efficient transport of specific analytes to SERS hot spots. Additionally, the fluid flow-induced scouring effect aids in excluding interfering molecules from the surface of AgNW. By incorporating AgNW@COF into a bifunctional filter membrane with simultaneous filtration and sensing capabilities, we had achieved efficient purification of organic pollutants as well as real-time identification of pollutant species and concentration.

Terahertz Fingerprint Metasurface Sensor Based on Temperature Variation for Trace Molecules.

Terahertz (THz) spectroscopy has demonstrated significant potential for substance detection due to its low destructiveness and due to the abundance of molecular fingerprint absorption signatures that it contains. However, there is limited research on the fingerprint detection of substances at different temperatures. Here, we propose a THz metamaterial slit array sensor that exploits localized surface plasmons to enhance the electric field within the slit. The transmission peak frequency can be modulated via temperature adjustments. This method enables the detection of molecular absorption characteristics at multiple spectral frequency points, thereby achieving a specific and highly sensitive detection of characteristic analyte fingerprint spectra. Additionally, the sensor supports the detection of substances at multiple temperatures and sensitively identifies changes in their absorption properties as a function of temperature. Our research has employed temperature variation to achieve a highly sensitive and specific detection of trace analytes, offering a new solution for THz molecular detection.

Beyond the Passive Diffusion: Core@Satellite Magneto‐Plasmonic Particles for Rapid and Sensitive Colorimetric Immunosensor Response

AbstractMagneto‐plasmonic particles, comprising gold and iron oxide, exhibit substantial potential for biosensing applications due to their distinct properties. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) provide plasmonic features, while iron oxide composites, responsive to an external magnetic field, significantly reduce detection time compared to passive diffusion. This study explores core@satellite magneto‐plasmonic particles (CSMPs), featuring magnetic nanoparticle clusters and numerous satellite‐like AuNPs, to amplify the optical response on a nanostructured gold surface. Using a sandwich scheme, target analytes are detected as hybrid nanoparticles bind to the pre‐immobilized target on the AuNPs surface, inducing changes in the immunosensor's extinction spectrum. Application of an external magnetic field notably enhances biosensor response and sensitivity, reducing assay time from hours to minutes. Leveraging the properties of CSMPs, the immunosensor detects specific immune protein at low concentrations within minutes. CSMPs hold considerable promise for precise and sensitive analyte detection, offering potential applications in rapid testing and mass screening.

A Novel Multiarmed Bifunctional PEG Derivative for the Preparation of Mass Spectrometry Ion Sources with Antifouling Property and High Selectivity.

It is challenging to prepare a highly selective mass spectrometry (MS) ion source for the rapid and highly sensitive detection of analytes, especially mycotoxins. In this study, an amino and tetrazine bifunctionalized multiarm PEG derivative (NH2HCl-4armPEG10K-(MTz)3), which can be easily immobilized on the substrate by the addition reaction between amino and polydopamine, was used for the preparation of MS ionization substrate. NH2HCl-4armPEG10K-(MTz)3 can also be used as a linker to immobilize sufficient streptavidin (SA) on the surface of the substrate by a click reaction. The process further promotes the immobilization of broad-spectrum antibodies (3D4), which were used as the recognition element for ZEN and its metabolites. The prepared SSS-Au-PDA-4armPEG10K-SA-3D4 not only can rapidly enrich ZEN and its metabolites with high selectivity but also shows good antifouling properties in the matrix. After simple sample preparation, the prepared SSS-Au-PDA-4armPEG10K-SA-3D4 can be directly coupled with MS to achieve high sensitivity (LODs: 0.18-0.66 ng/mL, LOQs: 0.5-1.0 ng/mL) and selective detection of ZEN and its metabolites in the matrix. At the same time, satisfactory recoveries (83.60-97.80%) and precision (RSD: 2.80-9.10%) can also be obtained. The prepared SSS-Au-PDA-4armPEG10K-SA-3D4 is expected to provide a powerful tool for the rapid and highly sensitive determination of multiple targets by MS.

A simple and green offline-online capillary electrophoresis stacking strategy for the simultaneous determination of hydrophobic compounds in complicated samples using sodium dodecyl sulfate as the solubilizer and pseudophase

BackgroundCapillary electrophoresis is a powerful analytical method featured with high separation efficiency, minimal sample requirements, and reduced organic solvents consumption. However, its low sensitivity hinders its wide application in determination of trace analytes especially for the weakly ionized hydrophobic compounds. Offline and Online capillary electrophoresis stacking methods are more favored to enhance detection sensitivity of analytes. The determination of two sesquiterpenes and an alkaloid from the dried root of Lindera aggregata merged as an example for developing a simple, sensitive and green method for the simultaneous determination of two hydrophobic compounds in complicated matrix samples. ResultsAn offline-online capillary electrophoresis stacking strategy by integrating micro matrix solid phase dispersion with field-amplified sample stacking and micelle to cyclodextrin stacking has been developed for the simultaneous determination of dehydrocostus lactone, linderane, norisoboldine in complex matrices. The optimized parameters were set at 65 mM sodium dihydrogen phosphate, 35 % methanol, 180 s for sample injection and 210 s for cyclodextrin injection, 20 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate of sample matrix for online stacking; 1:1 sample to MCM-48, 180 s grinding time, and 1000 μL of 20 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate elution for offline procedure. Under the optimum conditions, the method showed good linearity with correlation coefficients (R2 ≥ 0.9927), low limits of detection within the range of 25–50 ng mL−1, satisfactory repeatability and reproducibility below 3.98 %, and acceptable recoveries between 94 % and 97 %. The developed method was successfully applied to two real samples, the root of L. aggregata and rat feces. SignificanceSodium dodecyl sulfate is firstly used as an eluent in micro matrix solid phase dispersion and plays a dual role throughout the analytical procedure, including extraction solvent in sample preparation and micelle pseudophase during online stacking. It brings great procedure convenience to the method. The sensitivity of this method can improve up to 1283-folds compared with the normal mode. Moreover, the overall strategy indicates satisfied green potential evaluated by greenness assessment tools.

Innovative Synthesis of Adhesive-Assisted and Recyclable Fe3O4@PD-Ag Photomagnetic Nanocomposites as SERS probes for Ultrasensitive Thiram Detection on Fruit Peels

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) with enormous advantages has emerged as a powerful tool for both highly sensitive structural detection of analytes and various imaging applications. A notable advancement in the realm of multifunctional SERS substrates is the integration of magnetic nanoparticles endowed with magnetic manipulation capabilities and noble metal nanoparticles exhibiting plasmonic resonance properties. This synergistic combination offers substantial practical benefits for trace analysis across diverse fields. In this paper, a new paradigm of Fe3O4@PEI-DTC-Ag (Fe3O4@PD-Ag) photomagnetic nanocomposites based on magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs), the noble metal silver quantum dots (Ag QDs) and the adhesive layer polyethyleneimine dithiocarbamate (PEI-DTC) for convenient recycling and ultrasensitive SERS detection was developed by engineering hydrothermal and seed-growth methods. The SERS performance of the Fe3O4@PD-Ag substrates with varying amounts of Ag was evaluated by detecting 4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP). Among the tested samples, Fe3O4@PD-Ag-4 with a silver solution volume of 200 ml exhibited the optimal performance, showcasing an enhancement factor (EF) of 4.418 × 105. Moreover, the relative standard deviations (RSDs) were calculated to be less than 11.5 %, demonstrating the SERS substrates exhibit good uniformity and spectral reproducibility. Of note, the SERS substrate has demonstrated successful trace detection of thiram molecules, achieving a limit of detection (LOD) of up to 10-9 M. The intensity of SERS signals shows a linear correlation with the logarithm of thiram concentration, ranging from 10-4 to 10-9 M, thus providing compelling evidence for quantitative detection. Importantly, the Fe3O4@PD-Ag-4 SERS substrate also showcases outstanding performance for detecting thiram in real food, underscoring its significant potential for application in food safety monitoring.

Introduction to the feature issue: Advances in Optical Biosensors for Biomedical Applications

The feature issue of Biomedical Optics Express titled “Advances in Optical Biosensors for Biomedical Applications” presents a comprehensive collection of cutting-edge optical biosensor research. With the growing demand for sensitive, label-free, and real-time detection of biological analytes, optical biosensors have emerged as important devices in a wide range of biomedical applications, including medical diagnostics, bioanalysis, and personalised healthcare. This collection of 26 papers highlights recent advances and innovations in the development, design, and implementation of optical biosensors. The feature issue serves as an opportunity for disseminating ground-breaking findings, promoting new ideas, and inspiring further developments in optical biosensors for medical applications. The authors provide breakthrough technology, innovative approaches, and practical clinical applications that have the potential to revolutionize healthcare and biomedical research.

Efficient oxidation of hydrazine over electrochemically activated glassy carbon electrode surface: Kinetics and sensing performance

Hazardous chemical hydrazine (HZ) can enter the body through the skin and harm the kidneys and liver. Consequently, it is imperative to accurately determine HZ concentrations in samples. One significant challenge in the direct and sensitive detection of analytes is the higher oxidation overpotential and inferior voltammetric response over the conventional bare electrode surface, attributed to the passivation of the electrode surface. To address this issue, we electrochemically activated (oxidized) a pristine glassy carbon electrode (GCE) in a mild acidic medium. The activated GCE demonstrated improved HZ oxidation efficiency. The activated GCE exhibited a distinct redox pair in 0.1 M H2SO4 because of the growth of C=O groups onto the electrode surface during electrochemical oxidation. We characterized the GCE surface before and after the functionalization using electrochemical processes, Scanning electron microscope (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). This activated electrode surface was utilized for electrochemical HZ oxidation in an alkaline medium, revealing enhanced electrochemical performance compared to the pristine GCE regarding HZ oxidation following conventional Butler-Volmer kinetics. Thorough electrochemical analyses and characterizations of the sensor were performed utilizing techniques such as Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), Open Circuit Potential (OCP), Chronoamperometry (i-t curve), and Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV). The correlation between the current response and HZ concentration displayed an extensive linear dynamic range (LDR) spanning from 6 to 1000 μM, boasting a limit of detection (LOD) at 0.48 μM. The sensor's sensitivity was determined to be 3.1 μA μM−1 cm−2. The proposed activated GCE effectively reduces HZ oxidation overpotentials, thereby enhancing its potential application as an anode in direct hydrazine fuel cells.

Suppressing the background of LC-ESI-MS analysis of permethylated glycans using the active background ion reduction device.

Mass spectrometry (MS) has revolutionized analytical chemistry, enabling precise identification and quantification of chemical species, which is pivotal for biomarker discovery and understanding complex biological systems. Despite its versatility, the presence of background ions in MS analysis hinders the sensitive detection of low-abundance analytes. Therefore, studies aimed at lowering background ion levels have become increasingly important. Here, we utilized the commercially available Active Background Ion Reduction Device (ABIRD) to suppress background ions and assess its effect on the liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization (LC-ESI)-MS analyses of N-glycans on the Q Exactive HF mass spectrometer. We also investigated the effect of different solvent vapors in the ESI source on N-glycan analysis by MS. ABIRD generally had no effect on high-mannose and neutral structures but reduced the intensity of some structures that contained sialic acid, fucose, or both when methanol vapor filled the ESI source. Based on our findings on the highest number of identified N-glycans from human serum, methanol vapor in the ion source compartment may enhance N-glycan LC-ESI-MS analyses by improving the desolvation of droplets formed during the ESI process due to its high volatility. This protocol may be further validated and extended to advanced bottom-up proteomic/glycoproteomic studies for the analysis of peptide/glycopeptide ions by MS.

Preparation of 3D pomegranate‐like quantum dot nanobeads and its application to highly sensitive detection of aflatoxin B1

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is often used as a major indicator for evaluating aflatoxin contamination in food, and its accurate and sensitive detection is of great significance. Herein, the high-quality CdSe/ZnS fluorescent quantum dot nanobeads (QBs) with 3D pomegranate were prepared by the dual-protecting microemulsion method, which showed excellent stability in different environments. AFB1 were detected by competitive quantum dot-based fluorescence-linked immunosorbent assay (QLISA) using 3D pomegranate-like QBs and single-core silica-encapsulated quantum dots (QD@SiO2). After optimization of the reaction conditions, the quantitative detection range of AFB1 by single-core QD@SiO2 as fluorescent probe was 0–100 ng/mL, with the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 3.01 ng/mL and the limit of detection (LOD) of 0.12 ng/mL; whereas the quantitative detection range of AFB1 by fluorescent QBs was 0–100 ng/mL, with the IC50 of 1.76 ng/mL and the LOD of 1.03 pg/mL. Compared to single-core QD@SiO2, the fluorescent QBs was 120-fold more sensitive. The detection of AFB1 was also achieved in negative corn and peanut samples, indicating the possibility of its application to the detection of real food samples. The high performance of competitive QLISA using 3D pomegranate-like QBs as fluorescent probes offer highly sensitive and accurate quantitative detection of analytes in food safety monitoring.

An electrochemical tool for food additive: A nanoengineered sustainable approach on the preparation of t-LaVO4 rods decorated on g-carbon nitride nanocomposite for determination of theobromine

The dimethylxanthine alkaloid of theobromine (TB) naturally occurs in plants and their products. Derivatives of methylxanthine can potentially induce detrimental impacts on human health if ingested in excessive quantities or by individuals who are particularly susceptible to their effects. Therefore, a differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) method utilizing an electrode modified with a nanocomposite was proposed as an analytical approach for determining TB. Herein, the rare earth metal vanadate (REVO4) has recently played a key role in its use as an electrocatalyst in electrochemical sensors. REVO4's electronic characteristics enable electrochemical, optical, or impedance-based signal transduction and sensitive analyte detection. Due to these characteristics, REVO4 boosts sensing target analyte signals, enhancing sensor system sensitivity. In this paper, we constructed a sensor with nanostructured g-C3N4 entrapped LaVO4 nanomaterial successfully combined to make a nanocomposite to detect food analyte. Various voltammetric and spectroscopic techniques characterized the successfully prepared material LaVO4@g-C3N4 and its electrochemical behaviors. The electrochemical detection of TB, differential pulse voltammetric response was obtained in the wide linear range of 0.001–365 μM, the limit of detection (LOD) is 8 nM and the sensitivity of 4.03 μA μM−1 cm−2. The sensing platform of the electrochemical sensor successfully detected the extract of food samples such as water and chocolate milk samples and exhibited good recovery values of ±98.6–99.0%. The constructed sensor provides a robust means for monitoring alkaloids in complex matrices and a promising opportunity to develop sensitive and selective electrode materials with good reusability.

Development and validation of a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method including 25 novel synthetic opioids in hair and subsequent analysis of a Swiss opioid consumer cohort.

Major public health concern is raised by the evidence that common drugs like heroin are now frequently laced or replaced with highly potent novel synthetic opioids (NSOs). The objective of this study was to explore the prevalence and patterns of NSOs in a cohort of Swiss opioid users by hair analysis. Hair analysis is considered an ideal tool for retrospective consumption monitoring. Hair samples from 439 opioid users in Zurich were analyzed. Study inclusion required a previous positive hair test result for heroin metabolites, oxycodone, fentanyl, methadone, or tramadol. The samples were extracted with a two-step extraction procedure, followed by a targeted LC-MS/MS (QTRAP® 6500+) analysis in multiple reaction monitoring mode for a total of 25 NSOs. The method underwent full validation and demonstrated good selectivity and sensitivity with limits of detection (LOD) as low as 0.1pg/mg. The analyzed sample cohort demonstrated a positivity rate for NSOs of 2.5%, including the following NSOs: butyrylfentanyl, acrylfentanyl, furanylfentanyl, methoxyacetylfentanyl, ocfentanil, U-47700, isobutyrylfentanyl and benzylfentanyl. Furthermore, we were able to identify specific consumption patterns among drug users. The results indicate that hair analysis is a valuable tool for investigating the prevalence of NSOs in drug-using populations, which seems to be low in the case of Swiss opioid users. Nevertheless, the results highlight the need for sensitive analytical detection methods in forensic toxicology to identify and monitor substance distribution in different populations.

Preferences of interaction sites for proton-induced photophysical signalling with a derivatized rhodamine probe

Chemosensors for selective and sensitive detection of analytes were developed following various structural, functional and operational design methodologies. The interaction between probe and analyte has been vital in chemosensor-based detection technologies. A pertinent question in such a system is to be convincingly addressed, that if the probes incorporating spatially-positioned multiple interaction sites offer preferences towards analyte binding for a favourable and optimal interaction. The derivatized Rhodamine based probe 1 exhibiting proton-induced dual mode signalling here contained several protonation sites. The absorption and fluorescence signal enhancement on protonation of the probe attributed to its proton-mediated spiro-ring opening. Out of several plausible conformations of protonated probe [1.H+], their DFT calculations revealed the proton binding preferentially to the N-donor atom on spiro-ring of 1 instead at other probable sites of protonation such as other hetero- donor atoms on the xanthene core or the carbonyl O- atom on the spiro-ring as the energetically favourable conformation. It was verified with the protonated probe complex's X-ray diffracted single crystal structure.

Discriminative detection of glucose and urea with a composite polymer nanofiber based matrix

AbstractDetection and quantification of glucose and urea are fundamental in medical analysis, real‐time monitoring, and point of care analysis. However, such analyses generally require sophisticated instrumentation and specialized personnel. Furthermore, discriminative detection of multiple analytes is often necessary for treatment and diagnosis. To address this challenge, this study describes a proof‐of‐concept for discriminative sensitive amperometric detection of both analytes. This was achieved by the fabrication of a polymer‐MWCNTs composite nanofiber matrix upon which glucose oxidase (GOD) and urease were co‐immobilized to allow detection of the corresponding substrates (glucose and urea). The (PAN(−MWCNTs)/Urease‐GOD) biosensor showed good performance in: (i) glucose biosensing with sensitivity of 31±5 μAmM−2cm−2 within an extended linear range (0.1–5.0 mM) and a limit of detection of 3.7 μM, and (ii) urea detection at very low concentration (4–30 and 30–90 μM) with sensitivity up to 350±19 μAmM−2cm−2 and very low LOD (0.1 μM). The analogous mono‐enzyme platform for urea detection (PAN(−MWCNTs)/Urease) showed very similar performance as the bi‐enzyme sensor, suggesting little to no influence of co‐immobilization on Urease activity, thus confirming that the two catalytic processes are independent of each other. The biosensors exhibited high accuracy in the detection of both analytes (at normal and pathological levels) in human serum, thus proving that the biosensor described herein can have practical applications in healthcare and remote patient monitoring.