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We have developed an impedimetric immunosensor for the determination of bovine interleukin-4, a cytokine involved in the immune response to certain parasites and the development of some bovine diseases. Monoclonal antibody against bovine interleukin-4 was immobilized on a glassy carbon electrode modified with reduced graphene oxide and chitosan. Transmission electron microscopy, static contact angle measurement, and electrochemical impedimetry are used to characterize the immunosensor. The nanocomposite possesses a high surface area that is well suited for the immobilization of antibody. The relative increase in impedance on exposure of the sensor to solutions containing bovine interleukin-4 is linearly proportional to its logarithmic concentration in the 0.1 to 50 ng mL and the detection limit is 80 pg mL. The immunosensor is selective, well reproducible, and acceptably stable. It presents a useful tool for further studies on the role of this cytokine in the immunology and pathogenesis of bovine diseases. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomorphic calcium phosphate (CaP) microspheres with hierarchical porous structure were synthesized using natural cole pollen grains as templates and were further employed for the immobilization of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed (a) the porous structure of the CaP microspheres, (b) the effective immobilization, and (c) the retention of the conformation of HRP on CaP. The immobilized HRP was placed on a glassy carbon electrode where it underwent a direct, fully reversible, and surface-controlled redox reaction with an electron transfer rate constant of 1.96 s. It also exhibits high sensitivity to the reduction of HO The response to HO is linear in the 5.00 nM to 1.27 μM concentration range, and the sensitivity is 30357 μA⋅mM⋅cm. The detection limit (at an SNR of 3) is as low as 1.30 nM. The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant ( K) of the immobilized enzyme is 0.92 μM. This new CaP with hierarchical porous structure therefore represents a material that can significantly promote the direct electron transfer between HRP and an electrode, and is quite attractive with respect to the construction of biosensors. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on label-free immunosensors for the highly sensitive detection of avian influenza virus. The method makes use of the microcantilevers of an atomic force microscope onto which monoclonal antibodies against avian influenza virus were covalently immobilized. The factors influencing the performance of the resulting immunosensors were optimized by measuring the deflections of the cantilever via optical reflection, and this resulted in low detection limits and a wide analytical range. The differential deflection signals revealed specific antigen binding and their intensity is proportional to the logarithm of the concentrations of the virus in solution. Under optimal conditions, the immunosensors exhibit a linear response in the 7.6 ng mL to 76 μg mL concentration range of avian influenza virus, and the detection limit is 1.9 ng mL. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the synthesis and evaluation of aminated-CoFeO/SiO nanoparticles that can serve as a selective solid-phase sorbent for the extraction of cadmium ion. The nanoparticles consist of a magnetic CoFeO core and an amino-modified silica shell. They can efficiently extract cadmium(II) ion and then can be isolated from the sample solution due to the magnetic nature of the core. The effects of the experimental conditions on the extraction process were optimized. Cadmium was then quantified by hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The resulting calibration curve is linear in the concentration range of 0.01-10 μg L, the instrumental detection limits (3σ) is 3.15 ng L and the relative standard deviation is 4.9 % at the 1.0 μg L level (for n = 11). The enrichment factor is 50 (for 50 mL samples), and the adsorbent can be used for at least 45 cycles of preconcentration and elution. The method was applied to the determination of cadmium in environmental water samples, and successfully validated by analyzing two certified reference materials. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]