The
widespread and long-lasting effect of the COVID-19 pandemic
has called attention to the significance of technological advances
in the rapid diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 virus. This study reports the
use of a highly stable buffer-based zinc oxide/reduced graphene oxide
(bbZnO/rGO) nanocomposite coated on carbon screen-printed electrodes
for electrochemical immuno-biosensing of SARS-CoV-2 nuelocapsid (N-)
protein antigens in spiked and clinical samples. The incorporation
of a salt-based (ionic) matrix for uniform dispersion of the nanomixture
eliminates multistep nanomaterial synthesis on the surface of the
electrode and enables a stable single-step sensor nanocoating. The
immuno-biosensor provides a limit of detection of 21 fg/mL over a
linear range of 1–10 000 pg/mL and exhibits a sensitivity
of 32.07 ohms·mL/pg·mm2 for detection of N-protein
in spiked samples. The N-protein biosensor is successful in discriminating
positive and negative clinical samples within 15 min, demonstrating
its proof of concept used as a COVID-19 rapid antigen test.
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