Electrospun gold nanofiber electrodes for biosensors

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Enzyme Engineering

Background:

• Development of advanced bioelectrode materials is crucial for sensitive and selective biosensing.
• High surface area electrodes enhance electrochemical performance and analyte detection.
• Immobilization of enzymes like fructose dehydrogenase is key for specific biochemical assays.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a novel high surface area bioelectrode using electrospun gold nanofibers.
• To immobilize fructose dehydrogenase onto the gold nanofibers for fructose detection.
• To characterize the electrochemical properties and performance of the developed bioelectrode sensor.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of gold nanofibers via electroless deposition on electrospun poly(acrylonitrile)-HAuCl(4) fibers.
• Characterization using electron microscopy, XRD, BET, cyclic voltammetry, and biochemical assays.
• Covalent immobilization of fructose dehydrogenase using glutaraldehyde crosslinks and a cystamine monolayer.

Main Results:

• Achieved an electrochemical surface area of 0.32 ± 0.04 m(2)/g for gold microfibers.
• Demonstrated mediated electron transfer and catalytic currents for fructose oxidation.
• Established a limit of detection of 11.7 μM and K(M) of 5mM for fructose.
• Sensor showed stability over 20 cycles, rapid response time (<2.2s), and accuracy in serum and beverages.
• Addition of glucose isomerase enabled glucose detection, broadening analyte selection.

Conclusions:

• The developed gold nanofiber bioelectrode offers a promising platform for sensitive and stable fructose detection.
• The sensor's accuracy and precision in real-world samples highlight its practical applicability.
• Enzyme immobilization strategies and material design contribute to enhanced biosensor performance.
• The potential to detect glucose expands the utility of this bioelectrode system.