Enzyme-free monitoring of glucose utilization in stimulated macrophages using carbon nanotube-decorated electrochemical sensor

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been extensively explored for a diverse range of applications due to their unique electrical and mechanical properties. CNT-incorporated electrochemical sensors have exhibited enhanced sensitivity towards the analyte molecule due to the excellent electron transfer properties of CNTs. In addition, CNTs possess a large surface area-to-volume ratio that favours the adhesion of analyte molecules as well as enhances the electroactive area. Most of the electrochemical sensors have employed CNTs as a nano-interface to promote electron transfer and as an immobilization matrix for enzymes. The present work explores the potential of CNTs to serve as a catalytic interface for the enzymeless quantification of glucose. The figure of merits for the enzymeless sensor was comparable to the performance of several enzyme-based sensors reported in literature. The developed sensor was successfully employed to determine the glucose utilization of unstimulated and stimulated macrophages. The significant difference in the glucose utilization levels in activated macrophages and quiescent cells observed in the present investigation opens up the possibilities of new avenues for effective medical diagnosis of inflammatory disorders.

Chronoampermetric detection of enzymatic glucose sensor based on doped polyindole/MWCNT composites modified onto screen-printed carbon electrode as portable sensing device for diabetes

“…† It can be seen that the composite of 1.5%MWCNT-dPIn provides a higher sensitivity than the dPIn because MWCNT effectively facilitates the electron transfer rate of the working electrode and enhances electroactive surface area of electrode. 57 …”

In Situ Formation of a 3D Amorphous Cobalt‐ Borate Nanoarray: An Efficient Non‐Noble Metal Catalytic Electrode for Non‐Enzyme Glucose Detection

“…The enzyme‐based biosensors, however, have many drawbacks due to the intrinsic properties of the enzyme, such as high cost, complicated immobilization procedure and limited stability . To solve these issues, many non‐enzymatic materials based electrochemical sensors have been investigated for glucose detection …”