This work presents the preparation of an efficient and sensitive glucose sensor for the detection of glucose in an alkaline media. The glucose sensor is composed of a metal organic framework (MOF) composite comprising Ag@TiO 2 nanoparticles. The hybrid of Ag@TiO 2 encapsulated in ZIF-67 was synthesized by the solvothermal method and applied onto a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) for the non-enzymatic sensing of glucose. The porosity of ZIF-67 was favorable for the unhindered diffusion and entrapment of glucose and its cavities served as reaction vessels. The electrochemical behavior of Ag@TiO 2 @ZIF-67 showed amplified results when compared with that of Ag@TiO 2 and ZIF-67. Cyclic tests toward the oxidation of glucose has demonstrated excellent stability of a MOF-based hybrid sensor. The sensor based on Ag@TiO 2 @ZIF-67 showed high sensitivity of 0.788 µAµM −1 cm −2 with a linear concentration range of 48 µM −1 mM and a response time of 5 s with an excellent detection limit of 0.99 µM (S/N = 3).

The aim of this study was to prepare antibacterial cotton fabric using chitosan-silver nanoparticles (CS-AgNPs). CS-AgNPs were used as finishing agent for 100 % pure cotton fabric. AgNPs were prepared by Turkevich method. CSAgNPs were synthesized by mixing chitosan solution with silver nanoparticles. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer technique supported the formulation of CS-AgNPs. Cs-AgNPs crystalline peaks were in perfect agreement with JCPDS card no. 89-3722. Two gram negative bacteria Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and two gram positive bacteria Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus were used to test the bacterial efficacy of synthesized AgNPs and CSAgNPs. Scanning electron micrograph of cotton fabric revealed the presence of CS-AgNPs on the surface of cotton fabric. The presence of small amount of silver nanoparticles in the composite was enough to enhance antibacterial activity significantly compared to pure chitosan.

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Surface protein gp-120 of HIV-1 virus plays an important role in the infection of HIV-1, but detection of gp-120 during the early stage of infection is very difficult. Herein, we report a binding bioassay based on an RNA aptamer B40t77, which binds specifically to gp-120. The bioassay is built upon a hydrophobic glass slide with surface immobilized gp-120. When the glass surface is incubated in a solution containing B40t77, the aptamer is able to bind to gp-120 specifically and remove it from the surface after a short incubation time of 30 min. The result of the binding event can be amplified by using liquid crystal (LC) into optical signals in the final step. By using this bioassay, we are able to detect as low as 1 μg/ml of gp-120 with high specificity within 30 min. No response is obtained when gp-120 is replaced by other protein such as bovine serum albumin (BSA). This is the first qualitative bioassay which provides a simple way for the detection of gp-120 with the naked eye. The assay is robust, low-cost and does not require additional labeling. Thus, the bioassay is potentially useful for the early detection of HIV-1 in resources-limited regions.

In this study, Ag@In2O3 modified nickel foam (NF) was reported for its role as a non-enzymatic glucose sensor. Ag@In2O3 was prepared by a simple two-step method; preparation of a metal-organic framework (MOF) MIL-68(In) by solvothermal method, entrapment of Ag + by adding AgNO3 then drying it for 2 h to complete the entrapment process and subsequent calcination at 650°C for 3 h. The Ag@In2O3 modified NF was employed as a non-enzymatic glucose sensor to determine glucose concentrations in an alkaline medium. Two linear ranges were obtained from Ag@In2O3 modified electrode, i.e., 10 μM to 0.8 mM and 0.8–2.16 mM with a sensitivity of 3.31 mA mM−1 cm−2 and 1.51 mA mM−1 cm−2 respectively, with a detection limit of 0.49 µM. Ag@In2O3 modified NF exhibited high selectivity for glucose, among other interfering agents.