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The development of a cholesterol biosensor using a liquid crystal/aqueous interface in a SDS-included β-cyclodextrin
Sundas Munir1, Soo-Young Park1
1School of Applied Chemical Engineering, Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 702-701, Republic of Korea.
Analytica Chimica Acta
|September 24, 2015
Summary
This study introduces a new method using β-cyclodextrin and sodium dodecyl sulphate within transmission electron microscopy cells to detect cholesterol. The presence of cholesterol triggers a detectable orientation change in liquid crystals.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Biophysics
Background:
- Cholesterol detection is crucial in various biological and chemical applications.
- Existing methods often require immobilized receptors or complex instrumentation.
- A novel approach for cholesterol detection at interfaces is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a new, convenient method for selective cholesterol detection.
- To utilize the host-guest complex of β-cyclodextrin and sodium dodecyl sulphate for cholesterol sensing.
- To observe the effect of cholesterol on liquid crystal orientation at an interface.
Main Methods:
- Utilized transmission electron microscopy (TEM) grid cells containing a 4-cyano-4'-pentylbiphenyl (5CB)/aqueous interface.
- Employed a β-cyclodextrin-sodium dodecyl sulphate (β-CDSDS) complex where SDS acts as the guest within the β-CD host.
- Introduced cholesterol solution to displace SDS from β-CD, confirmed by pH and HPLC, and observed the resulting 5CB orientation change using polarized optical microscopy.
Main Results:
- Cholesterol successfully replaced SDS within the β-cyclodextrin cavity at concentrations above 3 μM.
- The displacement of SDS induced a transition in the 5CB liquid crystal orientation from planar to homeotropic.
- This transition was clearly observable under polarized optical microscopy.
Conclusions:
- A novel and convenient method for selective cholesterol detection has been established using a TEM grid cell.
- The method does not require immobilization of receptors or sophisticated equipment.
- The observed liquid crystal orientation change serves as a direct indicator of cholesterol presence.
