Zeptomole Detection Scheme Based on Levitation Coordinate Measurements of a Single Microparticle in a Coupled Acoustic-Gravitational Field

Anal Chem. 2018 Feb 6;90(3):2310-2316. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.7b04752. Epub 2018 Jan 23.

Abstract

We present a novel analytical principle in which an analyte (according to its concentration) induces a change in the density of a microparticle, which is measured as a vertical coordinate in a coupled acoustic-gravitational (CAG) field. The density change is caused by the binding of gold nanoparticles (AuNP's) on a polystyrene (PS) microparticle through avidin-biotin association. The density of a 10-μm PS particle increases by 2% when 500 100-nm AuNP's are bound to the PS. The CAG can detect this density change as a 5-10 μm shift of the levitation coordinate of the PS. This approach, which allows us to detect 700 AuNP's bound to a PS particle, is utilized to detect biotin in solution. Biotin is detectable at a picomolar level. The reaction kinetics plays a significant role in the entire process. The kinetic aspects are also quantitatively discussed based on the levitation behavior of the PS particles in the CAG field.

MeSH terms

  • Acoustics*
  • Avidin / chemistry
  • Biotin / analysis
  • Biotin / chemistry
  • Chemistry Techniques, Analytical / methods
  • Gold / chemistry
  • Gravitation*
  • Kinetics
  • Limit of Detection
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Particle Size
  • Polystyrenes / chemistry*

Substances

  • Polystyrenes
  • Avidin
  • Biotin
  • Gold