Electrochemical detection of white spot syndrome virus with a silicone rubber disposable electrode composed of graphene quantum dots and gold nanoparticle-embedded polyaniline nanowires

Abstract

Background With the enormous increment of globalization and global warming, it is expected that the number of newly evolved infectious diseases will continue to increase. To prevent damage due to these infections, the development of a diagnostic method for detecting a virus with high sensitivity in a short time is highly desired. In this study, we have developed a disposable electrode with high-sensitivity and accuracy to evaluate its performances for several target viruses. Results Conductive silicon rubber (CSR) was used to fabricate a disposable sensing matrix composed of nitrogen and sulfur-co-doped graphene quantum dots (N,S-GQDs) and a gold-polyaniline nanocomposite (AuNP-PAni). A specific anti-white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) antibody was conjugated to the surface of this nanocomposite, which was successfully applied for the detection of WSSV over a wide linear range of concentration from 1.45 × 102 to 1.45 × 105 DNA copies/ml, with a detection limit as low as 48.4 DNA copies/ml. Conclusion The engineered sensor electrode can retain the detection activity up to 5 weeks, to confirm its long-term stability, required for disposable sensing applications. This is the first demonstration of the detection of WSSV by a nanofabricated sensing electrode with high sensitivity, selectivity, and stability, providing as a potential diagnostic tool to monitor WSSV in the aquaculture industry.

Nanomaterials for virus sensing and tracking

“…260 The superior electron transfer capabilities of nanowires (diameter: 50–70 nm) made with AuNP (6–14 nm) decorated polyaniline is responsible for the high stability of impedimetric sensors for hepatitis E virus (HEV) and white spot syndrome virus. 168 Similar stability is displayed by GQD conjugated gold nanobundles (length: 700 nm; diameter 10 nm) in addition to exceptional optical confinement properties. 261 Gold nanospheres (80 nm) decorated on an excessively tilted fiber grafting exhibit intrinsic LSPR.…”

“…The signal-to-noise ratio was further amplified by the exonuclease I-assisted cleavage of unbound DNA. 105 The high surface area of GQDs fosters the covalent attachment of a large number of nanoparticles which successively promote the immobilization of more biomolecules such as antibodies [168][169][170] and nucleic acids. 171 Such immunosensors show negligible interference (o5%) even when the concentration of non-specific molecules is 300 times greater than the target antigen (Fig.…”

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS): Principles, Construction, and Biosensing Applications

“…Composition and functionalization of graphene-related nanomaterials have a strong effect on the immobilization of biorecognition elements. Generally, EIS measurements are performed in Faradaic mode using electrochemical redox probes (electron mediators) to focus on the R ct variations between the solution and the electrode interface [ 64 ]. Using graphene quantum dots and gold-embedded polyaniline nanowires, impedimetric sensors for the hepatitis E virus (HEV) were designed.…”

Progress of hollow materials in diagnosis of COVID-19

“…The interaction of the target virus with the Au rGO/antibody and QD@MHS NPs is governed by antibody conjugation. For the proof of concept, an anti-HEV antibody is conjugated to QD@MHS NPs, and an Au rGO electrode selectivity experiment is carried out in the presence of serum medium containing 10% diluted human serum with influenza virus, NoV, white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), and Zika virus as other samples to confirm the specificity of the proposed sensor [163]. The signal attributed to the magnetic separation of the virus complex was not significantly changed by the sensors in buffer or 100% serum (as a negative control), effectively separating the interferences.…”