Quick electrochemical immunoassay for hantavirus detection based on biochar platform

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Immunotechnology

Background:

• Biochar (BC) is a carbonaceous material derived from biomass pyrolysis, possessing a highly functionalized surface.
• Immunoassays are vital for detecting specific biomolecules, but often require advanced platforms for enhanced sensitivity and specificity.
• Hantavirus infections, including Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome (HCPS), pose significant public health risks, necessitating improved diagnostic tools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel immunoassay platform utilizing biochar (BC) as a carbonaceous support.
• To establish a sensitive and selective detection method for Hantavirus nucleoprotein (Np) and antibodies (Ab).
• To evaluate the potential of the developed device for clinical surveys of Hantavirus in both rodent and human populations.

Main Methods:

• Biochar (BC) was functionalized for covalent binding of biomolecules using EDC/NHS conjugation.
• Electrochemical sensors were fabricated on the modified BC platform for detecting Hantavirus nucleoprotein (Np) and specific IgG2b antibodies (Ab).
• Assay performance was evaluated for sensitivity, limit of detection (LOD), and selectivity against related disease markers.

Main Results:

• The BC-based sensor demonstrated a sensitivity of 5.28 μA dec⁻¹ and an LOD of 0.14 ng/mL for Np detection.
• The antibody sensor operated qualitatively, detecting specific IgG2b antibodies above 200 ng/mL.
• The developed sensors exhibited high selectivity, distinguishing target analytes from unrelated proteins and antibodies.

Conclusions:

• Biochar serves as an effective carbonaceous platform for developing sensitive immunoassays.
• The proposed electrochemical devices show promise for the rapid and reliable clinical diagnosis of Hantavirus infections.
• This innovative approach could significantly aid in Hantavirus surveillance and control efforts in endemic areas.