No abstract

Ion transfer at aqueous-organogel interfaces enables the non-redox detection of ions and ionisable species by voltammetry. In this study, a non-thermal method for preparation of an organogel was employed and used for the detection of hen-egg-white-lysozyme (HEWL) via adsorptive stripping voltammetry at an array of aqueous-organogel microinterfaces. Tetrahydrofuran solvent casting was employed to prepare the organogel mixture, hence removing the need for heating of the solution to be gelled, as used in previous studies. Cyclic voltammetry of HEWL at the microinterface array revealed a broad adsorption process on the forward scan, at positive applied potentials, followed by a desorption peak at ca. 0.68 V, indicating the detection of HEWL in this region. Application of an adsorption step, where a constant optimized potential of 0.95 V was applied, followed by voltammetric detection provided for a linear response range of 0.02-0.84 μM and a detection limit of 0.030 μM for 300 s adsorption. The detection limit was further improved by utilizing differential pulse stripping voltammetry, resulting in detection limits of 0.017 μM, 0.014 μM, and 0.010 μM for adsorptive pre-concentration times of 60, 120 and 300 s, respectively, in unstirred solutions. These results are an improvement over other methods for the detection of HEWL at aqueous-organic interfaces and offers a basis for the label-free detection of protein.

The electroadsorption of proteins at aqueous−organic interfaces offers the possibility to examine protein structural rearrangements upon interaction with lipophilic phases, without modifying the bulk protein or relying on a solid support. The aqueous−organic interface has already provided a simple means of electrochemical protein detection, often involving adsorption and ion complexation; however, little is yet known about the protein structure at these electrified interfaces. This work focuses on the interaction between proteins and an electrified aqueous−organic interface via controlled protein electroadsorption. Four proteins known to be electroactive at such interfaces were studied: lysozyme, myoglobin, cytochrome c, and hemoglobin. Following controlled protein electroadsorption onto the interface, ex situ structural characterization of the proteins by FTIR spectroscopy was undertaken, focusing on secondary structural traits within the amide I band. The structural variations observed included unfolding to form aggregated antiparallel β-sheets, where the rearrangement was specifically dependent on the interaction with the organic phase. This was supported by MALDI ToF MS measurements, which showed the formation of protein-anion complexes for three of these proteins, and molecular dynamic simulations, which modeled the structure of lysozyme at an aqueous−organic interface. On the basis of these findings, the modulation of protein secondary structure by interfacial electrochemistry opens up unique prospects to selectively modify proteins.

a Fucoidans are sulfated polysaccharides mostly derived from algae and used in a number of applications (e.g. nutrition, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and biomaterials). In this study, the electrochemical behaviour of fucoidans extracted from two algal species (Undaria pinnatifida and Fucus vesiculosus) was assessed using voltammetry at an array of micro-interfaces formed between two immiscible electrolyte solutions (μITIES) in which the organic electrolyte phase was gelled. Cyclic voltammetry revealed an adsorption process when scanning to negative potentials, followed by a desorption peak at ca. −0.50 V on the reverse scan, indicating the electroactivity of both fucoidans. U. pinnatifida fucoidan showed a more intense voltammetric signal compared to F. vesiculosus fucoidan. In addition, use of tridodecylmethylammonium (TDMA + ) or tetradodecylammonium (TDDA + ) as the organic phase electrolyte cation provided improved detection of both fucoidans relative to the use of bis (triphenylphosphoranylidene) phase and adsorptive pre-concentration for 180 s afforded a detection limit of 1.8 μg mL −1 fucoidan (U. pinnatifida) in aqueous phase of 10 mM NaOH and 2.3 μg mL −1 in synthetic urine ( pH adjusted). These investigations demonstrate the electroactivity of fucoidans at the μITIES array and provide scope for their detection at low μg mL −1 concentrations using this approach.