Flexible Label-Free Platinum and Bio-PET-Based Immunosensor for the Detection of SARS-CoV-2

Author(s)

Blasques, Rodrigo Vieira ; de Oliveira, Paulo Roberto ; Kalinke, Cristiane ; Brazaca, Lais Canniatti ; Crapnell, Robert D. D. ; Bonacin, Juliano Alves ; Banks, Craig E. E. ; Janegitz, Bruno Campos

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: BIOSENSORS-BASEL; v. 13, n. 2, p. 19-pg., 2023-02-01.

Abstract

The demand for new devices that enable the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) at a relatively low cost and that are fast and feasible to be used as point-of-care is required overtime on a large scale. In this sense, the use of sustainable materials, for example, the bio-based poly (ethylene terephthalate) (Bio-PET) can be an alternative to current standard diagnostics. In this work, we present a flexible disposable printed electrode based on a platinum thin film on Bio-PET as a substrate for the development of a sensor and immunosensor for the monitoring of COVID-19 biomarkers, by the detection of L-cysteine and the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, respectively. The electrode was applied in conjunction with 3D printing technology to generate a portable and easy-to-analyze device with a low sample volume. For the L-cysteine determination, chronoamperometry was used, which achieved two linear dynamic ranges (LDR) of 3.98-39.0 mu mol L-1 and 39.0-145 mu mol L-1, and a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.70 mu mol L-1. The detection of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was achieved by both square wave voltammetry (SWV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) by a label-free immunosensor, using potassium ferro-ferricyanide solution as the electrochemical probe. An LDR of 0.70-7.0 and 1.0-30 pmol L-1, with an LOD of 0.70 and 1.0 pmol L-1 were obtained by SWV and EIS, respectively. As a proof of concept, the immunosensor was successfully applied for the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in enriched synthetic saliva samples, which demonstrates the potential of using the proposed sensor as an alternative platform for the diagnosis of COVID-19 in the future. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/00473-2 - Development of 3-dimensional (3D) printed electrochemical biosensors with PLA polymer and graphene for the determination of biomolecules and diagnosis of diseases
• Grantee: Cristiane Kalinke
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 17/21097-3 - Bee-agriculture interactions: perspectives to sustainable use
• Grantee: Osmar Malaspina
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/19750-3 - Exploring C4D detection for the development of innovative and low-cost microfluidic biosensors
• Grantee: Laís Canniatti Brazaca
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 19/23177-0 - Development of disposable devices with conductive inks and low cost substrates for the biosensing of hormonal dysfunctions and detection of Malaria
• Grantee: Jéssica Rocha Camargo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 21/07989-4 - Additive-manufactured (3D printed) electrochemical devices for the diagnosis of viral diseases
• Grantee: Cristiane Kalinke
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• FAPESP's process: 13/22127-2 - Development of novel materials strategic for integrated analytical devices
• Grantee: Lauro Tatsuo Kubota
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants