A simple, sensitive, label-free electrochemical immunosensor based on the chitosan-coated silver/cerium oxide (CS@Ag/CeO2) nanocomposites for the detection of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)

Nanotechnology. 2023 Apr 13;34(26). doi: 10.1088/1361-6528/acc8d8.

Abstract

Metal oxide-based sensors have the benefit of inexpensive, quick response, and high sensitivity in detecting specific biological species. In this article, a simple electrochemical immunosensor was fabricated using antibody-chitosan coated silver/cerium oxide (Ab-CS@Ag/CeO2) nanocomposites on a gold electrode for sensitive alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) diagnosis in human serum samples. Successfully synthesis of AFP antibody-CS@Ag/CeO2conjugates was confirmed through Fourier transform infrared spectra of the prototype. The amine coupling bond chemistry was then used to immobilize the resultant conjugate on a gold electrode surface. It was observed that the interaction of the synthesized Ab-CS@Ag/CeO2nanocomposites with AFP prevented an electron transfer and reduced the voltammetric Fe(CN)63-/4-peak current, which was proportional to the amount of AFP. The linear ranges of AFP concentration were found from 10-12-10-6g.ml-1. The limit of detection was calculated using the calibration curve and came out to be 0.57 pg.ml-1. The designed label-free immunosensor successfully detected AFP in human serum samples. As a result, the resulting immunosensor is a promising sensor plate form for AFP detection and could be used in clinical bioanalysis.

Keywords: CS@Ag/CeO2 nanocomposites; alpha-fetoprotein (AFP); cyclic voltammetry(CV); electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS); immunosensor.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies
  • Biosensing Techniques* / methods
  • Chitosan*
  • Electrochemical Techniques / methods
  • Gold / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Immunoassay / methods
  • Limit of Detection
  • Metal Nanoparticles* / chemistry
  • Nanocomposites* / chemistry
  • Oxides
  • Silver / chemistry
  • alpha-Fetoproteins / analysis

Substances

  • alpha-Fetoproteins
  • Silver
  • ceric oxide
  • Chitosan
  • disilver oxide
  • Oxides
  • Antibodies
  • Gold