Defect-engineered BiVO₄ nanozyme sensor array for discriminative detection of anthrax biomarker and its analogues

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Detecting dipicolinic acid (DPA), a key anthrax biomarker, is crucial for biosecurity.
• Simple detection methods struggle with interference from similar pyridinecarboxylic acids (PAs).

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel colorimetric sensor array for accurate DPA detection.
• To overcome interference issues from structurally similar compounds.

Main Methods:

• Synthesized three types of cation vacancy-engineered bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) nanozymes via hydrothermal method.
• Utilized differential inhibitory responses of nanozymes toward PAs based on metal-coordination interactions.
• Employed a 3-channel sensor array with linear discriminant analysis (LDA) for discrimination.

Main Results:

• Achieved 100% accurate discrimination of seven PAs and their mixtures at 10-100 μM concentrations.
• Demonstrated excellent anti-interference capabilities.
• Successfully identified PAs in real-world samples like tap water, milk, and mango juice.

Conclusions:

• Developed a novel, efficient, and low-cost colorimetric sensor array for DPA detection.
• The sensor array shows significant promise for on-site biosecurity and environmental monitoring.
• Highlights the potential of nanozyme-based sensor arrays for complex analyte detection.