“Development of a combi-electrosensor for the detection of phenol by combining photoelectrochemistry and square wave voltammetry”. Neven L, Barich H, Sleegers N, Cánovas R, Debruyne G, De Wael K, Analytica chimica acta 1206, 339732 (2022). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.ACA.2022.339732
Abstract: The high toxicity, endocrine-disrupting effects and low (bio)degradability commonly attributed to phenolic compounds have promoted their recognition as priority toxic pollutants. For this reason, the monitoring of these compounds in industrial, domestic and agricultural streams is crucial to prevent and decrease their toxicity in our daily life. To confront this relevant environmental issue, we propose the use of a combi-electrosensor which combines singlet oxygen (1O2)-based photoelectrochemistry (PEC) with square wave voltammetry (SWV). The high sensitivity of the PEC sensor (being a faster alternative for traditional COD measurements) ensures the detection of nmol L−1 levels of phenolic compounds while the SWV measurements (being faster than the color test kits) allow the differentiation between phenolic compounds. Herein, we report on the development of such a combi-electrosensor for the sensitive and selective detection of phenol (PHOH) in the presence of related phenolic compounds such as hydroquinone (HQ), bisphenol A (BPA), resorcinol (RC) and catechol (CC). The PEC sensor was able to determine the concentration of PHOH in spiked river samples containing only PHOH with a recovery between 96% and 111%. The SWV measurements elucidated the presence of PHOH, HQ and CC in the spiked samples containing multiple phenol compounds. Finally, the practicality of the combi-electrosensor set-up with a dual SPE containing two working electrodes and shared reference and counter electrodes was demonstrated. As a result, the combination of the two techniques is a powerful and valuable tool in the analysis of phenolic samples, since each technique improves the general performance by overcoming the inherent drawbacks that they display independently.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab)
DOI: 10.1016/J.ACA.2022.339732
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“Thin-layer potentiometry for creatinine detection in undiluted human urine using ion-exchange membranes as barriers for charged interferences”. Liu Y, Cánovas R, Crespo GA, Cuartero M, Analytical Chemistry 92, 3315 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1021/ACS.ANALCHEM.9B05231
Abstract: Herein, thin-layer potentiometry combined with ion-exchange membranes as barriers for charged interferences is demonstrated for the analytical detection of creatinine (CRE) in undiluted human urine. Briefly, CRE diffuses through an anion-exchange membrane (AEM) from a sample contained in one fluidic compartment to a second reservoir, containing the enzyme CRE deiminase. There, CRE reacts with the enzyme, and the formation of ammonium is dynamically monitored by potentiometric ammonium-selective electrodes. This analytical concept is integrated into a lab-on-a-chip microfluidic cell that allows for a high sample throughput and the operation under stop-flow mode, which allows CRE to passively diffuse across the AEM. Conveniently, positively charged species (i.e., potassium, sodium, and ammonium, among others) are repelled by the AEM and never reach the ammonium-selective electrodes; thus, possible interference in the response can be avoided. As a result, the dynamic potential response of the electrodes is entirely ascribed to the stoichiometric formation of ammonium. The new CRE biosensor exhibits a Nernstian slope, within a linear range of response from 1 to 50 mM CRE concentration. As expected, the response time (15–60 min) primarily depends on the CRE diffusion across the AEM. CRE analysis in urine samples displayed excellent results, without requiring sample pretreatment (before the introduction of the sample in the microfluidic chip) and with high compatibility with development into a potential point-of-care clinical tool. In an attempt to decrease the analysis time, the presented analytical methodology for CRE detection is translated into an all-solid-state platform, in which the enzyme is immobilized on the surface of the ammonium-selective electrode and with the AEM on top. While more work is necessary in this direction, the CRE sensor appears to be promising for CRE analysis in both urine and blood.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Impact Factor: 7.4
DOI: 10.1021/ACS.ANALCHEM.9B05231
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“Controlling the mixed potential of polyelectrolyte-coated platinum electrodes for the potentiometric detection of hydrogen peroxide”. Baez JF, Compton M, Chahrati S, Cánovas R, Blondeau P, Andrade FJ, Analytica Chimica Acta 1097, 204 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.ACA.2019.11.018
Abstract: The use of a Pt electrode coated with a layer of Nafion has been described in previous works as an attractive way to perform the potentiometric detection of hydrogen peroxide. Despite of the attractive features of this approach, the nature of the non-Nernstian response of this system was not properly addressed. In this work, using a mixed potential model, the open circuit potential of the Pt electrode is shown to be under kinetic control of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). It is proposed that hydrogen peroxide acts as an oxygenated species that blocks free sites on the Pt surface, interfering with the ORR. Therefore, the effect of the polyelectrolyte coating can be understood in terms of the modulation of the factors that affects the kinetics of the ORR, such as an increase of the H+ concentration, minimization of the effect of the spectator species, etc. Because of the complexity and the lack of models that accurately describe systems with practical applications, this work is not intended to provide a mechanistic but rather a phenomenological view on problem. A general framework to understand the factors that affect the potentiometric response is provided. Experimental evidence showing that the use of polyelectrolyte coatings are a powerful way to control the mixed potential open new ways for the development of robust and simple potentiometric sensors.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Impact Factor: 6.2
DOI: 10.1016/J.ACA.2019.11.018
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“Electrochemical identification of hazardous phenols and their complex mixtures in real samples using unmodified screen-printed electrodes”. Barich H, Cánovas R, De Wael K, Journal of electroanalytical chemistry : an international journal devoted to all aspects of electrode kynetics, interfacial structure, properties of electrolytes, colloid and biological electrochemistry. 904, 115878 (2022). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.JELECHEM.2021.115878
Abstract: The electrochemical behavior of some of the most relevant endocrine-disrupting phenols using unmodified carbon screen-printed electrodes (SPEs) is described for the first time. Experiments were made to assess the electrochemical behavior of phenol (PHOH), pentachlorophenol (PCP), 4-tert octylphenol (OP) and bisphenol A (BPA) and their determination in the most favorable conditions, using voltammetric methods such as cyclic voltammetry (CV), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV) in Britton Robinson (BR) buffer. Further, the usefulness of the electrochemical approach was validated with real samples from a local river and was compared to commercial phenols test kit, which is commonly used for on-site screening in industrial streams and wastewaters. Finally, the approach was compared with a lab-bench standard method using real samples, i.e., high-performance liquid chromatography with a photodiode array detector (HPLC-DAD).
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab)
Impact Factor: 4.5
DOI: 10.1016/J.JELECHEM.2021.115878
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“Are aptamer-based biosensing approaches a good choice for female fertility monitoring? A comprehensive review”. Cánovas R, Daems E, Langley AR, De Wael K, Biosensors and bioelectronics 220, 114881 (2023). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.BIOS.2022.114881
Abstract: The WHO estimates that 8–10% of couples are facing fertility problems, often due to inaccuracy in predicting the female's ovulation period controlled by four key hormones. The quantification and monitoring of such key hormones are crucial for the early identification of infertility, but also in improving therapeutic management associated with hormonal imbalance. In this review, we extensively summarize and discuss: i) drawbacks of laboratory methods for fertility testing (costly, invasive, complex) and commercially available point-of-care tests (measuring only one/two of the four key hormones), ii) the understanding of different biosensors for fertility monitoring, and iii) an in-depth classification and overview of aptamer-based sensing of the hormones of interest. This review provides insights on hormone detection strategies for fertility, with a focus on the classification of the current ‘aptasensing’ strategies, aiming to assist as a basic guide for the development of accurate fertility window monitoring tools based on aptamers.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab)
Impact Factor: 12.6
DOI: 10.1016/J.BIOS.2022.114881
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“Modulating the mixed potential for developing biosensors: Direct potentiometric determination of glucose in whole, undiluted blood”. Cánovas R, Blondeau P, Andrade FJ, Biosensors &, Bioelectronics 163, 112302 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.BIOS.2020.112302
Abstract: The growing demand for tools to generate chemical information in decentralized settings is creating a vast range of opportunities for potentiometric sensors, since their combination of robustness, simplicity of operation and cost can hardly be rivalled by any other technique. In previous works, we have shown that the mixed potential of a Pt electrode can be controlled with analytical purposes using a coating of Nafion, thus providing a way to develop a potentiometric biosensor for glucose. Unfortunately, the linear range of this device did not match the relevant clinical range for glucose in blood. This work presents a novel strategy to control the mixed potential that allows the development of a potentiometric biosensor for the direct detection of glucose in whole, undiluted blood without any sample pretreatment. By changing the ionomer, the analytical response can be tuned, shifting the linear range while keeping the sensitivity. Aquivion, a polyelectrolyte from the same family as Nafion, is used to stabilize the mixed potential of a platinized paper-based electrode, to entrap the enzyme and to reduce the interference from negatively charged species. Factors affecting the generation of the signal and the principle of detection are discussed. Optimization of the biosensor composition was achieved with particular focus on the characterization of the linear range and sensitivity. The accurate measurement of blood sugar levels in a single drop of whole blood with excellent recovery is presented.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Impact Factor: 12.6
DOI: 10.1016/J.BIOS.2020.112302
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“The sweet detection of rolling circle amplification : glucose-based electrochemical genosensor for the detection of viral nucleic acid”. Ciftci S, Cánovas R, Neumann F, Paulraj T, Nilsson M, Crespo GA, Madaboosi N, Biosensors &, Bioelectronics 151, 112002 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.BIOS.2019.112002
Abstract: Herein, an isothermal padlock probe-based assay for the simple and portable detection of pathogens coupled with a glucose oxidase (GOx)-based electrochemical readout is reported. Infectious diseases remain a constant threat on a global scale, as in recurring pandemics. Rapid and portable diagnostics hold the promise to tackle the spreading of diseases and decentralising healthcare to point-of-care needs. Ebola, a hypervariable RNA virus causing fatalities of up to 90% for recent outbreaks in Africa, demands immediate attention for bedside diagnostics. The design of the demonstrated assay consists of a rolling circle amplification (RCA) technique, responsible for the generation of nucleic acid amplicons as RCA products (RCPs). The RCPs are generated on magnetic beads (MB) and subsequently, connected via streptavidin-biotin bonds to GOx. The enzymatic catalysis of glucose by the bound GOx allows for an indirect electrochemical measurement of the DNA target. The RCPs generated on the surface of the MB were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, and among other experimental conditions such as the type of buffer, temperature, concentration of GOx, sampling and measurement time were evaluated for the optimum electrochemical detection. Accordingly, 125 μg mL−1 of GOx with 5 mM glucose using phosphate buffer saline (PBS), monitored for 1 min were selected as the ideal conditions. Finally, we assessed the analytical performance of the biosensing strategy by using clinical samples of Ebola virus from patients. Overall, this work provides a proof-of-concept bioassay for simple and portable molecular diagnostics of emerging pathogens using electrochemical detection, especially in resource-limited settings.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Impact Factor: 12.6
DOI: 10.1016/J.BIOS.2019.112002
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