Efficient Electrochemical Sensor Based on Gold Nanoclusters/Carbon Ionic Liquid Crystal for Sensitive Determination of Neurotransmitters and Anti-Parkinson Drugs

Abstract

Purpose: Herein we introduce a simple and sensitive sensor for the electrochemical determination of neurotransmitters compounds and anti-Parkinson drugs. Methods: The electrochemical sensor (Au/CILCE) based on gold nanoclusters modified carbon ionic liquid crystal (ILC) electrode was characterized using scanning electron microscopy and voltammetry measurements. Results: The effect of ionic liquid type in the carbon paste composite for the electro-catalytic oxidation of L-dopa was evaluated. Highest current response was obtained in case of ILC compared to other studied kinds of ionic liquids. The effective combination of gold nanoclusters and ILC resulted in extra advantages including large surface area and high ionic conductivity of the nanocomposite. L-dopa is considered one of the most important prescribed medicines for treating Parkinson’s disease. Moreover, a binary therapy using L-dopa and carbidopa proved effective and promising as it avoids the short comings of L-dopa mono-therapy for Parkinson’s patients. The Au/CILCE can detect L-dopa in human serum in the linear concentration range of 0.1 μM to 90 μM with detection and quantification limits of 4.5 nM and 15.0 nM, respectively. Also, the Au/CILCE sensor can simultaneously and sensitively detect L-dopa in the presence of carbidopa with low detection limits. Conclusion: The sensor is advantageous to be applicable for electrochemical sensing of other biologically electroactive species.

Applications of liquid crystals in biosensing

“…[144][145][146][147][148] Recently, nanoparticles were also studied for LC-based protein sensing. [149][150][151][152] Su et al 153,154 implemented a Cecropin B biosensor as shown in 155 showed a similar result with the application of AuNPs. In addition, a signal amplification scheme based on heparin-AuNPs was also reported for detecting prostate-specific antigen (PSA).…”

Progress, Opportunities, and Challenges of Magneto-Plasmonic Nanoparticles under Remote Magnetic and Light Stimulation for Brain-Tissue and Cellular Regeneration

“…For example, Au NPs are promising contrast agents in computerized tomography due to their high absorption coefficient [123]. The unique optical property further enables the applications of Au NPs in ultrasensitive biosensing probes according to the LSPR-absorbance-band change [124] for the detection of dopamine [125,126] and alpha synuclein [127]. In addition to the application in the bi- On the other hand, the plasmonic effects are reported to inhibit neuronal activities [114], activate heat-sensitive ion channels [115] and light-sensitive ion channels [116], and stimulate action potentials [117].…”

“…For example, Au NPs are promising contrast agents in computerized tomography due to their high absorption coefficient [123]. The unique optical property further enables the applications of Au NPs in ultrasensitive biosensing probes according to the LSPR-absorbance-band change [124] for the detection of dopamine [125,126] and alpha synuclein [127]. In addition to the application in the biosensor, Au NPs have been widely used in combination with a scaffold to tune the conductivity and electrical activity of cells [128], and to improve the mechanical property of the scaffold [129].…”

“Nano”: An Emerging Avenue in Electrochemical Detection of Neurotransmitters

“…Other combinations of NTs that have been detected include serotonin and histamine using boron doped diamond electrodes, and ACh and dopamine using a Cu@Cu 2 O-mesoporous carbon composite . Gold nanoclusters with a carbon ionic liquid crystal was recently reported for the simultaneous analysis of dopamine, EP, and NEP along with anti-Parkinson’s drugs . Many brain disorders exhibit different pathophysiological manifestations, but they also share interconnected signaling pathways with each other based on the levels of the different NT molecules.…”

“…214 Gold nanoclusters with a carbon ionic liquid crystal was recently reported for the simultaneous analysis of dopamine, EP, and NEP along with anti-Parkinson's drugs. 215 Many brain disorders exhibit different pathophysiological manifestations, but they also share interconnected signaling pathways with each other based on the levels of the different NT molecules. Even a subtle shift from the tightly regulated NT levels can result in a neuronal disorder.…”