A challenge in biosensors: Is it better to measure a photon or an electron for ultrasensitive detection?

Publication date: Available online 15 February 2020Source: Biosensors and BioelectronicsAuthor(s): Aldo Roda, Fabiana Arduini, Mara Mirasoli, Martina Zangheri, Laura Fabiani, Noemi Colozza, Elisa Marchegiani, Patrizia Simoni, Danila MosconeAbstractBiosensor development exploiting various transduction principles is characterized by a strong competition to reach high detectability, portability and robustness. Nevertheless, a literature-based comparison is not possible, as different conditions are employed in each paper.Herein, we aim at evaluating which measurement, photons or electrons, yields better biosensor performance. Upon outlining an update in recent achievements to boost analytical performance, amperometry and chemiluminescence (CL)-based biosensors are directly compared employing the same biospecific reagents and analytical formats. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and hydrogen peroxide concentrations were directly measured, while glucose and mouse IgG were detected employing an enzyme paper-based biosensor and an immunosensor, respectively.Detectability was down to picomoles of hydrogen peroxide (4 for CL and 210 pmol for amperometry) and zeptomoles of HRP (45 for CL and 20 zmol for amperometry); IgG was detected down to 12 fM (CL) and 120 fM (amperometry), while glucose down to 17 μM (CL) and 40 μM (amperometry).Results showed that amperometric and CL biosensors offered similar detectability and analytical performance, with some peculiarities that suggest ...
Source: Biosensors and Bioelectronics - Category: Biotechnology Source Type: research