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A fiber-optic cocaine biosensor

P J Devine1, N A Anis, J Wright

  • 1Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, School of Medicine, University of Maryland at Baltimore, 21201, USA.

Analytical Biochemistry
|May 1, 1995
PubMed
Summary

A novel fiber-optic biosensor accurately detects cocaine and its metabolites using a specific antibody. This reusable biosensor offers sensitive and selective detection of coca alkaloids, crucial for forensic and clinical applications.

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Area of Science:

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Immunosensing

Background:

  • Development of sensitive and selective detection methods for cocaine and its metabolites is crucial for forensic analysis and clinical toxicology.
  • Existing methods may lack the required sensitivity, specificity, or speed for rapid on-site detection.
  • Fiber-optic biosensors offer potential advantages in sensitivity, real-time monitoring, and miniaturization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and characterize a fiber-optic biosensor for the detection of cocaine, its metabolites, and related coca alkaloids.
  • To evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, and regeneration capabilities of the developed biosensor.

Main Methods:

  • Immobilization of a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against benzoylecgonine (BE) onto quartz fibers.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Utilizing a flow fluorometer to measure changes in evanescent wave fluorescence.
  • Employing a fluorescein (FL) conjugate of BE for competitive binding assays with cocaine and other compounds.
  • Assessing detection limits, affinity constants (Kd), and discrimination capabilities.

    • Main Results:

    • The biosensor demonstrated high affinity (Kd = 7.6 nM) for the fluorescein-labeled benzoylecgonine (FL-BE).
    • Detection limits were as low as 5 ng/ml for cocaine and cocaethylene, and 10 ng/ml for tropacocaine.
    • The biosensor showed significant discrimination, distinguishing cocaine from its stereoisomer pseudococaine by 833-fold.
    • The biosensor allowed for fiber regeneration after cocaine detection, enabling multiple measurements.

    Conclusions:

    • A robust fiber-optic biosensor capable of sensitive and selective detection of cocaine and related alkaloids was successfully developed.
    • The biosensor's ability to detect cocaine and its metabolites at low concentrations and its regeneration capacity make it suitable for various applications.
    • The structural requirements for high-affinity binding were elucidated, providing insights for future biosensor design.