Two 3D stochastic microsensors based on single and multi-walled carbon nanotubes modified with 2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octaethyl-21H,23H-porphine manganese (III) chloride were proposed for the molecular recognition and determination of heregulin-α, in whole blood samples and tumour brain tissues. The proposed 3D stochastic sensors had limits of determinations of 102 fg mL-1 and high sensitivities. The linear concentration ranges of the two 3D stochastic microsensors covered the healthy people as well as the patients confirmed with brain cancer. Determination of heregulin-α was done in whole blood and tissue samples using the screening method based on the proposed 3D stochastic microsensors as well as using the ELISA method; very good correlations were obtained between the two methods proving that the proposed method can be used in screening tests of whole blood and tumoural tissue samples for molecular recognition and determination of heregulin-α.
Keywords: 2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-Octaethyl-21H,23H-porphine manganese (III); 3D stochastic microsensors; Heregulin-α.