The present work describes the development of a selective electrochemical sensor for urate based on tris(1,10-phenantroline)copper(II) bis(tetracyanoquinodimethanide) (Cu(phen)3(TCNQ)2) adsorbed on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT). The composite material was characterized by infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The composite material showed an excellent electrocatalytic activity toward oxidation of urate. The heterogeneous charge transfer rate constant (k’) between the analyte and the sensor was determined using linear sweep voltammetry experiments. The composite material shows a linear range from 5 up to 2500 µmol L-1 with limit of detection of 1.05 µmol L-1 and limit of quantification of 3.50 µmol L-1. The high sensitivity and selectivity of the sensor for urate was sufficient for its determination in biological fluids. Finally, the proposed sensor was successfully applied in urine samples.

O presente trabalho de revisão aborda os mais recentes avanços na tecnologia de biossensores alcançados através da montagem de biomoléculas associada com nanopartículas de ouro na construção de dispositivos analíticos. Esta revisão está dividida de acordo com a biomolécula empregada no desenvolvimento de biossensores: (i) compostos imunológicos; (ii) DNA/RNA funcionais; e (iii) enzimas e proteínas Heme. A fim de facilitar a compreensão, cada seção foi subdividida de acordo com o modo de transdução. Os imunossensores contendo nanopartículas de ouro têm uma ampla gama de aplicações nos campos alimentício, ambiental, farmacêutico, químico e de diagnósticos clínicos. As nanopartículas foram empregadas para melhorar o sinal analítico ou a imobilização dos imunocompostos. Em outra seção, os biossensores DNA/RNA empregando nanoestruturas de ouro como labels e biossensores label-free associados a nanoestruturas de ouro como transdutores foram sistematicamente relatados para a rápida identificação de patógenos, espécies de interesse ambiental e diagnóstico clínico. A inclusão de nanopartículas de ouro em eletrodos modificados aumenta a transferência de elétrons entre o transdutor e a biomolécula proporcionando um melhor desempenho quando enzimas e proteínas redox heme são usados. Biossensores para a detecção e quantificação de glicose e peróxido de hidrogênio foram também discutidos.

The present review discusses the latest advances in biosensor technology achieved by the assembly of biomolecules associated with gold nanoparticles in analytical devices. This review is divided in sections according to the biomolecule employed in the biosensor development: (i) immunocompounds; (ii) DNA/RNA and functional DNA/RNA; and (iii) enzymes and Heme proteins. In order to facilitate the comprehension each section was subdivided according to the transduction mode. Gold nanoparticles based immunosensors have a wide range of applications in food, environmental, pharmaceutical, chemistry and clinical diagnostics. The nanoparticles were employed to improve whether the analytical signal or the immunocompounds immobilization. In another section, biosensors based on DNA/RNA biomolecules employing gold nanostructures as labels and label-free funtional DNA/RNA biosensors associated to gold nanostructures as tranducers were systematically reported for rapid identification of pathogens, species of environmental interest and clinical diagnostics, respectively. The inclusion of gold nanoparticles in modified electrodes itself enhances the electron transfer between the transducer and biomolecules leading to improved bioanalytical devices when redox enzymes and heme proteins are used. Biosensors for the detection and quantification of glucose and hydrogen peroxide are discussed as well.

Este trabalho descreve a construção de um filme de multicomponentes via método layer-by-layer (LbL) e a análise cinética da interação da enzima peroxidase de raiz forte (HRP) sobre a camada de ds-DNA de timo de bezerro formada numa superfície de ouro modificada. As técnicas de ressonância de plásmon de superfície (SPR) e a espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica (EIE) foram usadas para caracterizar a construção do filme sobre a superfície de ouro. A ressonância de plásmon de superfície forneceu informações essenciais para o estudo e caracterização da interação proteína e ácido nucléico. Este método não necessita de marcador e monitora as interações em tempo real. Os estudos cinéticos obtidos por SPR da formação do filme de HRP sobre o ds-DNA apresentaram valores de 24,7 L mol-1 s-1 e 1,2×10-3 s-1 para k a e k d, respectivamente. A energia livre de Gibbs obtida para o sistema foi de - 23,1 kJ mol-1. Os resultados obtidos mostram que a interação das moléculas da enzima sobre o ds-DNA é cinética e termodinamicamente favoráveis e a interação entre as camadas ocorre principalmente pela atração de cargas opostas.

This paper describes the construction of a multicomponent film via layer-by-layer (LbL) method and the kinetic analysis of the interaction between horseradish peroxidase (HRP) enzyme on calf thymus double-stranded DNA layer on a modified gold surface. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) are used to characterize the successful construction of the film on the gold surface. Surface plasmon resonance provided essential information for the study and characterization of protein and nucleic acid interaction and this method is label-free and monitors the interactions in real time. The kinetic studies determined by SPR of the horseradish peroxidase film formation on ds-DNA layer showed values of 24.7 L mol-1 s-1 and 1.2×10-3 s-1 for k a and k d, respectively. The Gibbs free energy obtained for the system was -23.1 kJ mol-1. The results obtained show that the interaction of the enzymes molecules on ds-DNA is kinetically and thermodynamically favourable and the interaction among the layers probably occurs mainly by attraction of opposite charges.

No presente trabalho um polímero com impressão molecular (MIP) seletivo para 4-aminofenol (4-APh) foi sintetizado através de técnica de polimerização em bulk. A polimerização foi realizada em tubo de vidro contendo 4-APh, Fe(III)protoporfrina(IX) (hemina, Fe(III)PPIX), ácido metacrílico (MAA), etileno glicol dimetacrilato (EGDMA) e 2,2'-azo-bis-iso-butironitrila (AIBN). O bloco de polímero foi moído e peneirado (106 µm) e o 4-APh foi removido das partículas do polímero pela extração com solução de metanol/ácido acético (4:1, v/v), deixando uma cavidade nas partículas do polímero. A hemina foi usada como um material sintético para imitar o centro ativo da peroxidase, criando um polímero com impressão molecular cataliticamente ativo. Os polímeros foram caracterizados por espectroscopia no infravermelho, análises termogravimétricas, microscopia eletrônica de varredura e análise do tamanho das partículas. O desempenho enzimático do polímero impresso foi avaliado baseado em parâmetros cinéticos incluindo Vmax e constante de Michaelis-Menten obtidas pelo gráfico de Lineweaver-Burk.

In the present work a selective molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) for 4-aminophenol (4-APh) was synthesized by the bulk polymerization technique. Polymerization was carried out in a glass tube containing 4-APh, Fe(III)protoporphyrin(IX) (hemin, Fe(III)PPIX), methacrylic acid (MAA), ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) and 2,2′-azo-bis-iso-butyronitrile (AIBN). The polymer block was ground and sieved (106 µm) and the 4-APh was removed from the polymer particles by leaching with a methanol/acetic acid (4:1, v/v) solution, which leaves a cavity in the polymer particles. Hemin was used as a synthetic material to mimic the active center of peroxidase creating a catalytically active molecularly imprinted polymer. The polymers were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy and particle size analysis. The enzymatic performance of the imprinted polymer was evaluated based on kinetic parameters including Vmax and the Michaelis-Menten constant obtained from Lineweaver-Burk plots.

A construção de um sensor amperométrico para compostos fenólicos usando um eletrodo de pasta de carbono modificado com ftalocianina de manganês e histidina é relatado. Sob condições otimizadas, em 0 mV vs Ag/AgCl numa solução tampão fosfato 0,1 mol dm-3 (pH 7,0) contendo H2O2 250 µmol dm-3, uma resposta linear para catecol entre 20 e 130 µmol dm-3, com sensibilidade de 0,56 (± 0,02) µA dm³ mol-1 cm-2, foi obtida. O limite de detecção foi 1,1 µmol dm-3 e o tempo de resposta foi de 2 s. O sensor apresentou resposta estável durante 40 determinações sucessivas. A repetibilidade avaliada em termos de desvio padrão relativo foi de 3,6% para n = 5 e [catecol] = 10 µmol dm-3. As respostas do sensor para outros compostos fenólicos também foram investigadas em detalhes. Finalmente, a aplicabilidade do sensor foi testada em medicamento contendo dopamina e os resultados comparados favoravelmente com os obtidos com o método oficial.

The construction of an amperometric sensor for phenolic compounds using a carbon paste electrode modified with manganese phthalocyanine and histidine is reported. Under optimized conditions, at 0 mV vs Ag/AgCl in 0.1 mol dm-3 phosphate buffer solutions (pH 7.0) containing 250 µmol dm-3 H2O2, a linear response for catechol from 20 up to 130 µmol dm-3 was obtained with a sensitivity of 0.56 (± 0.02) µA dm³ µmol-1 cm-2. The detection limit was 1.1 µmol dm-3 and the response time was 2 s. The sensor presented stable response during 40 successive determinations. The repeatability, evaluated in terms of relative standard deviation, was 3.6% for n = 5 and [catechol] = 10 µmol dm-3. The sensor responses for other phenolic compounds were also investigated in details. Finally, the applicability of the sensor was tested in a pharmaceutical containing dopamine and the results compared favorably with those obtained with the official method.

Descreve-se, no presente trabalho, o desenvolvimento de um sensor voltamétrico altamente sensível para a oncocalixona A, utilizando-se eletrodo de carbono vítreo modificado com uma bi-camada de ftalocianina tetrassulfonada de ferro(II) (FeTSPc) e tetra-(N-metil-4-piridil)-porfirina de ferro(III) (FeT4MPyP). O eletrodo modificado apresentou alta atividade catalítica e estabilidade em relação à redução da oncocalixona, proporcionando deslocamento anódico de ca. de 30 mV e amplificação da corrente de pico, em relação a iguais parâmetros obtidos em eletrodo de carbono vítreo não modificado. Um ampla faixa linear de resposta entre 0.005-1.2 µmol L-1, com sensibilidade de 8.11 µA L µmol-1 e limites de detecção (LOD) e quantificação (LOQ) de 1.5 e 5 nmol L-1 foram obtidos, com o uso desse sensor.

The development of a highly sensitive voltammetric sensor for oncocalyxone A using a glassy carbon electrode modified with a bilayer iron(II) tetrasulfonated phthalocyanine (FeTSPc) and iron(III) tetra-(N-methyl-4-pyridyl)-porphyrin (FeT4MPyP) is described. The modified electrode showed high catalytic activity and stability for the oncocalyxone A reduction, provoking the anodic shift of the reduction peak potentials of ca. 30 mV and presenting much higher peak currents than those obtained on the bare GC electrode. A wide linear response range between 0.005-1.2 µmol L-1, with a sensitivity of 8.11 µA L µmol-1 and limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) of 1.5 and 5 nmol L-1 were obtained with this sensor.

Descreve-se a construção e aplicação de um sensor biomimético para determinação de paracetamol em diversos tipos de amostras. O sensor foi construído modificando a superfície de um eletrodo de carbono vítreo com membrana de Nafion® dopada com tetrapiridinoporfirazina de ferro (FeTPyPz). Esse sensor apresentou melhor desempenho em tampão acetato 0,1 mol L-1 e pH 3,6. Nessas condições o potencial de oxidação do paracetamol foi de 445 mV vs. Ag|AgCl. O sensor apresentou uma faixa de resposta linear entre 4,0 e 420 µmol L-1, sensibilidade de 46,015 mA L mol-1 cm-2, limite de quantificação de 4,0 µmol L-1 e limite de detecção de 1,2 µmol L-1. Estudos eletroquímicos e de seletividade demonstraram a propriedade catalítica da FeTPyPz como sendo similares a da enzima P450 na oxidação do paracetamol. O sensor foi usado na determinação de paracetamol em formulações comerciais e no acompanhamento de sua degradação eletroquímica em efluentes provenientes de um reator em escala piloto.

This work describes the construction and application of a biomimetic sensor for paracetamol determination in different samples . The sensor was prepared by modifying a glassy carbon electrode surface with a Nafion® membrane doped with FeTPyPz. The best performance of the sensor in 0.1 mol L-1 acetate buffer was at pH 3.6. Under these conditions, an oxidation potential of paracetamol was observed at 445 mV vs. Ag|AgCl. The sensor presented a linear response range between 4.0 and 420 µmol L-1, a sensitivity of 46.015 mA L mol-1 cm-2, quantification and detection limits of 4.0 µmol L-1 and 1.2 µmol L-1, respectively. A detailed investigation about its electrochemical behavior and selectivity was carried out. The results suggested that FeTPyPz presents catalytic properties similar to P450 enzyme for paracetamol oxidation. Finally, the sensor was applied for paracetamol determination in commercial drugs and for the monitoring of its degradation in an electrochemical batch reactor effluent.

O presente trabalho descreve uma metodologia analítica para determinação simultânea de ácido ascórbico (AA) e ácido úrico (AU) por voltametria de pulso diferencial empregando o surfactante catiônico cloreto de cetilpiridínio. Medidas voltamétricas de pulso diferencial realizadas em pH 7,0 revelaram que o meio micelar catiônico permite separar em 282 mV os picos de oxidação de AA e AU na mesma solução, valor suficiente para determinar ambas as espécies simultaneamente. Como em pH 7,0 o AA está mais ionizado que o AU, sua atração eletrostática em direção às micelas catiônicas, formadas sobre a superfície do eletrodo de carbono vítreo, é maior; desta forma, promove a diminuição no sobrepotencial e o aumento na taxa de transferência de elétrons. Foram construídas curvas de calibração para AA e AU na faixa de concentração de 4,70 até 220 µmol L-1 e 0,50 até 110 µmol L-1. A metodologia proposta foi aplicada para a determinação de AA e AU em amostras de urina humana.

The present work describes an analytical methodology for simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid (AA) and uric acid (UA) by differential pulse voltammetry employing the cationic surfactant, cetylpyridinium chloride. Differential pulse voltammetry measurements revealed that the cationic micellar media may separate the oxidation peak potentials of AA and UA present in the same solution by about 282 mV, which is enough to determine both species simultaneously. As in pH 7.0 the AA is more ionized than UA, its electrostatic attraction towards the cationic micelles formed onto the surface of glassy carbon electrode is higher, therefore, promoting a decrease in the overpotential and increasing the electron transfer rate. Calibration curves to AA and UA in the concentration range from 4.70 up to 220 µmol L-1 and 0.50 up to 110 µmol L-1 were built. The proposed methodology was applied for the simultaneous determination of AA and UA in human urine samples.

This paper provides a review on the latest advances and applications of the luminescence spectroscopy for the development of pharmaceuticals analyses methods, basically based on the photo- and chemiluminescence. The different forms of the drugs determination on pharmaceuticals through the fluorescence and chemiluminescence are discussed. The analyses include the drugs native fluorescence (liquid and solid-phases); the fluorescence from the oxidizing or reducing forms of the drug; the fluorescence from the chemical derivatization and their photochemistry and hydrolysis reactions. The quenching of luminescence and chemiluminescence generation for the pharmaceutical quantification are also shown. Finally, the trends and future perspectives of the luminescence spectroscopy in the field of the pharmaceutical research are discussed.

A voltammetric procedure optimized by experimental design for glyphosate determination in soil, water and vegetable samples is described. The voltammetry experiments were performed using a hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE). The DPV variables involved in the optimization process were: voltage step, pulse amplitude, pulse interval, voltage step time and concentration of the supporting electrolyte. A full 2(5) factorial design was chosen to evaluate these effects. From the results obtained by the factorial design the three most important factors were determined. These variables were evaluated with a central composite design. Under the optimized conditions, the operational range was from 0.050 to 100.0 mg dm-3 and the detection and quantification limits were 14 and 48 µg dm-3, respectively. The optimized method was successfully applied to glyphosate determination in soil, water and vegetables after purifying with an ion exchange resin and derivation.

We review here the chemistry of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, their biological sources and targets; particularly, biomolecules implicated in the redox balance of the human blood, and appraise the analytical methods available for their detection and quantification. Those biomolecules are represented by the enzymatic antioxidant defense machinery, whereas coadjutant reducing protection is provided by several low molecular weight molecules. Biomolecules can be injured by RONS yielding a large repertoire of oxidized products, some of which can be taken as biomarkers of oxidative damage. Their reliable determination is of utmost interest for their potentiality in diagnosis, prevention and treatment of maladies.

This paper describes the recent progress in the development of polymeric membranes for ion-selective electrodes. The importance of knowing the mechanism of potential development in membranes for ion-selective electrodes to reach lower detection limits and improve selectivity are discussed. Recent advances and future trends of research on ion-selective electrodes are also reported.

The electrochemical properties of methylene blue immobilized on cellulose/TiO2 and mixed oxide SiO2/TiO2 matrices were investigated by means of cyclic voltammetry. The electron mediator property of the methylene blue was optimized using a factorial design, consisting of four factors in two levels. The experimental observations and data analyses on the system indicate that the lowest peak separation occurs for Sil/TiOAM, 1.0 mol L-1 KCl solution and 20 mV s-1 scan rate, while values of current ratio closest to unity were found for Cel/TiOAM independent of electrolyte concentration, 0.2 or 1.0 mol L-1, and scan rate, 20 mV s-1 or 60 mV s-1.

The aim of this paper is the description of the strategies and advances in the use of MIP in the development of chemical sensors. MIP has been considered an emerging technology, which allows the synthesis of materials that can mimic some highly specific natural receptors such as antibodies and enzymes. In recent years a great number of publications have demonstrated a growth in their use as sensing phases in the construction of sensors . Thus, the MIP technology became very attractive as a promising analytical tool for the development of sensors.