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Portable Electrochemical Immunosensor Based on a Gold Microblobs-Optimized Screen-Printed Electrode for SARS-CoV-2 Diagnosis

Authors :
Melissa M. Giacomet
Paulo H. M. Buzzetti
Oscar O. S. Junior
Alessandro F. Martins
Elton G. Bonafe
Johny P. Monteiro
Source :
Inorganics, Vol 12, Iss 9, p 252 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2024.

Abstract

The development of biosensors for determining the most diverse biomolecules is a constant focus of many research groups. There is a latent need to propose sensors that combine portability, simple measurements, and good analytical performance. Here, we propose an electrochemical immunosensor that is fully portable and energy-independent for diagnosing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). Initially, disposable screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPEs) were covered by gold microblobs (AuMBs), which were synthesized amperometrically from Au3+ ions. Then, the SPE-AuMBs were coated with cysteamine, which allowed the N-hydroxysuccinimide-activated SARS-CoV-2 antigen (spike protein) to be immobilized. The antigen-activated electrode was used to detect COVID-19 antibodies from current measurements obtained by differential pulse voltammetry. The AuMBs synthesis time was optimized, and the presence of gold structures improved the electrochemical responses of the SPE. It was possible to quantitatively determine antibodies in the concentration range of 0.25 to 10 µg mL−1. This range includes concentrations found in biological fluids from patients at any stage of the disease. An analysis took approximately the same time as traditional rapid nasal tests (20 min) and costed less, considering all the steps necessary to prepare a disposable antigen-functionalized SPE.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
23046740
Volume :
12
Issue :
9
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Inorganics
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.11123aa14ff74cabb085006f3c26239c
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics12090252