Novel potentiometric immunosensor for hepatitis B surface antigen using a gold nanoparticle-based biomolecular...

Area of Science:

• Biosensors
• Immunotechnology
• Nanomaterials

Background:

• Hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg) is a key biomarker for HBV infection.
• Accurate and rapid detection of HBsAg is crucial for diagnosis and management.
• Conventional methods like ELISA can be time-consuming and require multiple steps.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel potentiometric immunosensor for HBsAg detection.
• To immobilize hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) using self-assembly techniques.
• To evaluate the performance and advantages of the developed immunosensor compared to existing methods.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a potentiometric immunosensor using a platinum disk electrode.
• Immobilization of anti-HBs via self-assembly with gold nanoparticles, Nafion, and gelatin matrices.
• Characterization using cyclic voltammetry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
• Detection based on potentiometric changes before and after antigen-antibody binding.

Main Results:

• The immunosensor demonstrated higher antibody loading and retained immunoactivity compared to glutaraldehyde crosslinking.
• A dynamic concentration range of 4-800 ng/mL and a detection limit of 1.3 ng/mL were achieved.
• Analytical results from human serum samples showed satisfactory agreement with ELISA.

Conclusions:

• The developed potentiometric immunosensor offers a direct, rapid, and simple method for HBsAg detection.
• This self-assembly immobilization strategy enhances antibody loading and activity.
• The immunosensor presents a promising alternative to traditional sandwich assays for HBsAg diagnostics.