A voltammetric immunoassay for the carcinoembryonic antigen using a self-assembled magnetic nanocomposite

The authors describe a voltammetric immunoassay for the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). It is based on the use of a self-assembled magnetic nanocomposite as multifunctional signal amplification platform. The core of the nanocomposite consists of Fe₃O₄ microspheres, and the shell of zirconium hexacyanoferrate loaded with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs@ZrHCF@Fe₃O₄). The material was synthesized by an electrostatic self-assembly process which is caused by the strong interaction between cyano groups and AuNPs. The surface of the Fe₃O₄ microspheres was functionalized with amino groups to facilitate the immobilization of ZrHCF which acts as an electron mediator. The nanocomposite was placed on a glassy carbon electrode which then displays noteworthy electrocatalytic activity toward the reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). The AuNPs serve as a support for the immobilization of antibodies by the interaction between AuNPs and amino groups on antibodies to construct a covalent Au-N bond. This facilitates electron transfer on the electrode surface using H₂O₂ as the electrochemical probe. Square wave voltammetry (measured typically at +0.2 V vs. SCE) was carried out to record the electrochemical behavior. Under the optimal conditions, a response is linear in the 0.5 pg·mL^-1 to 50 ng·mL^-1 CEA concentration range, and the detection limit is as low as 0.15 pg·mL^-1 (S/N = 3). The method is selective, highly stable and acceptably reproducible. Graphical abstract A self-assembly magnetic nanocomposite for voltammetric immunoassay of CEA. GCE glassy carbon electrode; Au NPs gold nanoparticles; ZrHCF zirconium hexacyanoferrate; CEA carcinoembryonic antigen; Anti-CEA CEA antibody; BSA bovine serum albumin; SWV square wave voltammetry. A high sensitive voltammetric immunoassay method has been used for detecting CEA, It is based on a self-assembled magnetic nanocomposite (Au NPs@ZrHCF@Fe₃O₄) as multifunctional signal amplification platform.