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Advanced Biosensors for Food, Environment, and Healthcare Analysis: From Science to Application

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A special issue of Biosensors (ISSN 2079-6374). This special issue belongs to the section "Biosensors and Healthcare".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 June 2023) | Viewed by 24774

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Dr. Zhaowei Zhang

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Oil Crops Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430062, China
Interests: biosensors; point-of-care test; food safety; environmental monitoring; healthcare
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Applications of advanced biosensors in food, environment, and healthcare analysis have attracted growing attention from scientific and industrial circles. Advanced biosensors can identify hazardous factors at trace levels and record nutrient substances in food, keeping food safe and improving food quality. Biosensors allow sensitively and specificily determining tremendous environmental contamination on-site. Healthcare analysis depends on reliable biosensors for diagnosis, drug discovery, single-cell or single-molecular analysis, and the like. Biosensors can be used in well-equipped labs or off labs. Matrix effects in solid or liquid samples need to be depressed by proper sample preparation. Robust and effective sample preparation techniques allow satisfied extraction and cleanup processes. Biosensors rely on optics, electrochemistry, electricity, magnetics, or mechanics. Minimized enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, immunochromatographic strips, microfluidics, or wearables call for more applications in food, the environment, and healthcare. Challenges in biosensor development include their sensitivity, specificity, speediness, reliability, portability, and cost.

This Special Issue focuses on developing biosensors and their applications for food, environmental, and healthcare analysis. It collects original works for the design, fabrication, and application of advanced biosensors with new principles, strategies, and methods. Reviews reflecting cutting-edge information, challenges, and perspectives of biosensors are particularly welcome.

Dr. Zhaowei Zhang
Guest Editor

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Keywords

enzymes
DNA
aptamer
antibody
molecularly imprinted polymers
optical
fluorescent
electrochemical
photoelectric
SERS
chemiluminescent
mass
thermal biosensors
ELISA
immunochromatographic strip
microfludics
smartphone-based biosensors
point-of-care test toxic ion
pesticide
veterinary drug
biotoxin
pathogenic bacteria
antibiotics
toxins
organic pollutants
food additives
tumor
biomarker
viruses

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 8652 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Novel and Versatile Microfluidic Device for Cell Assays under Radio Frequency Exposure

by Mengshuang Wang, Mengni Zhu, Zhenjie Zhao, Xin Li and Jie Zhang

Biosensors 2023, 13(8), 763; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios13080763 - 27 Jul 2023

Viewed by 1125

Abstract

Wound healing is a complex process composed of different stages, which involves extensive communication between the different cellular factors of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The radio frequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) has been used to accelerate the wound-healing process and it has been found to enhance cell alignment and mobility. The conventional methods for cell mobility analysis in an electromagnetic field generated by a radiation source are not advisable due to the low-precision, nonuniform distribution of the field, low efficiency of the analysis in batch and the lack of system integration for autonomous on-body operation. Here, a novel and versatile electromagnetic exposure system integrated with a microfluidic chip was fabricated to explore the EMF-induced response. A gradient electromagnetic field in a two-dimensional plane has been successfully established in the microchambers placed along the field line. In this work, by deploying our radiation experiments in vitro, we validated the on-chip monitoring of cell response to exposure. This electromagnetic field was simulated and human amniotic epithelial cells (HAECs) were cultured in different microchambers for continuous exposure to the electromagnetic field excited by a monopole RF antenna (1.8 GHz). New protrusions were generated and an obvious increase in filopodia with the increased field intensity was investigated. Meanwhile, the variation in intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration under the electromagnetic field was examined. The inhibitory effect of the Ca²⁺ circulation was further inspected to reveal the potential downstream signaling pathway in the RF-EMF-related bioassay, suggesting that cytoskeletal dynamics of cells under exposure are highly associated with the EGF receptor (EGFR)-cytoskeleton downstream signaling pathway. Finally, the field-induced cell elongation and alignment parallel to the field direction were observed. Additionally, the subsequent recovery (field withdrawal) and re-establishment (field re-exposure) were explored. These results indicated that this reliable and versatile exposure system for bioassay could achieve precise and high-throughput detection of the RF-EMF-induced cytoskeletal reorganization in vitro and evaluate the possible health risk from RF-EMF exposure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Biosensors for Food, Environment, and Healthcare Analysis: From Science to Application)

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13 pages, 6301 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Dye-Assisted Paper-Based Assay to Rapidly Differentiate the Stress of Chlorophenols and Heavy Metals on Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli

by Wanqing Dai, Bibi Inumbra, Po Yu Wong, Alma Sarmiento, Ying Yau, Jie Han, Guozhu Mao, Yung-Kang Peng and Jian Lin Chen

Biosensors 2023, 13(5), 523; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios13050523 - 6 May 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1611

Abstract

Biological toxicity testing plays an essential role in identifying the possible negative effects induced by substances such as organic pollutants or heavy metals. As an alternative to conventional methods of toxicity detection, paper-based analytical device (PAD) offers advantages in terms of convenience, quick results, environmental friendliness, and cost-effectiveness. However, detecting the toxicity of both organic pollutants and heavy metals is challenging for a PAD. Here, we show the evaluation of biotoxicity testing for chlorophenols (pentachlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, and 4-chlorophenol) and heavy metals (Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Pb²⁺) by a resazurin-integrated PAD. The results were achieved by observing the colourimetric response of bacteria (Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli) to resazurin reduction on the PAD. The toxicity responses of E. faecalis-PAD and E. coli-PAD to chlorophenols and heavy metals can be read within 10 min and 40 min, respectively. Compared to the traditional growth inhibition experiments for toxicity measuring which takes at least 3 h, the resazurin-integrated PAD can recognize toxicity differences between studied chlorophenols and between studied heavy metals within 40 min. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Biosensors for Food, Environment, and Healthcare Analysis: From Science to Application)

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11 pages, 2176 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Hemin–Graphene Nanocomposite-Based Aptasensor for Ultrasensitive Colorimetric Quantification of Leukaemia Cells Using Magnetic Enrichment

by Jing Su, Liqiang Zhang, Luogen Lai, Wufu Zhu and Chong Hu

Biosensors 2022, 12(12), 1070; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios12121070 - 23 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1789

Abstract

Diagnostic blood cell counting is of limited use in monitoring a minimal number of leukaemia cells, warranting further research to develop more sensitive and reliable techniques to identify leukaemia cells in circulation. In this work, a hemin–graphene nanocomposite-based aptasensor was developed for ultrasensitive colorimetric detection of leukaemia cells (CEM) using magnetic enrichment. Hemin-conjugated graphene oxide nanocomposites (HGNs) were prepared by hydrazine reduction using graphene oxide nanosheets and hemins. Hence, the prepared HGNs become able to absorb single-stranded DNA and acquire peroxidase-like activity. The aptamer sgc8c, which recognizes a specific target on leukaemia cells, was absorbed onto HGNs to capture the target CEM cancer cells. The captured target cells that associated with the HGNs were then concentrated and separated by magnetic beads (MBs) coated with sgc8c aptamers, forming a HGN–cell–MB sandwich structure. These sandwich structures can be quantified via an oxidation reaction catalysed by HGNs. By utilizing dual signal amplification effects generated by magnetic enrichment and the improved peroxidase activity of HGNs, the biosensor allowed for highly sensitive detection of 10 to 10⁵ CEM cells with an ultra-low limit of detection (LOD) of 10 cells under optimal conditions. It is expected that the proposed aptasensor can be further employed in monitoring the minimal residual disease during the treatment of leukaemia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Biosensors for Food, Environment, and Healthcare Analysis: From Science to Application)

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17 pages, 3705 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Sensitive Immunodetection Assay Using Antibodies Specific to Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B Produced by Baculovirus Expression

by Ju-Hong Jang, Sungsik Kim, Seul-Gi Kim, Jaemin Lee, Dong-Gwang Lee, Jieun Jang, Young-Su Jeong, Dong-Hyun Song, Jeong-Ki Min, Jong-Gil Park, Moo-Seung Lee, Baek-Soo Han, Jee-Soo Son, Jangwook Lee and Nam-Kyung Lee

Biosensors 2022, 12(10), 787; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios12100787 - 24 Sep 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2717

Abstract

Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) is a potent bacterial toxin that causes inflammatory stimulation and toxic shock, thus it is necessary to detect SEB in food and environmental samples. Here, we developed a sensitive immunodetection system using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Our study is the first to employ a baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS) to produce recombinant wild-type SEB. BEVS facilitated high-quantity and pure SEB production from suspension-cultured insect cells, and the SEB produced was characterized by mass spectrometry analysis. The SEB was stable at 4 °C for at least 2 years, maintaining its purity, and was further utilized for mouse immunization to generate mAbs. An optimal pair of mAbs non-competitive to SEB was selected for sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based immunodetection. The limit of detection of the immunodetection method was 0.38 ng/mL. Moreover, it displayed higher sensitivity in detecting SEB than commercially available immunodetection kits and retained detectability in various matrices and S. aureus culture supernatants. Thus, the results indicate that BEVS is useful for producing pure recombinant SEB with its natural immunogenic property in high yield, and that the developed immunodetection assay is reliable and sensitive for routine identification of SEB in various samples, including foods. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Biosensors for Food, Environment, and Healthcare Analysis: From Science to Application)

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13 pages, 3704 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Functional Characterization and Phenotyping of Protoplasts on a Microfluidics-Based Flow Cytometry

by Xingda Dai, Shuaihua Zhang, Siyuan Liu, Hang Qi, Xuexin Duan, Ziyu Han and Jiehua Wang

Biosensors 2022, 12(9), 688; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios12090688 - 26 Aug 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2117

Abstract

A better understanding of the phenotypic heterogeneity of protoplasts requires a comprehensive analysis of the morphological and metabolic characteristics of many individual cells. In this study, we developed a microfluidic flow cytometry with fluorescence sensor for functional characterization and phenotyping of protoplasts to allow an unbiased assessment of the influence of environmental factors at the single cell level. First, based on the measurement of intracellular homeostasis of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with a DCFH-DA dye, the effects of various external stress factors such as H₂O₂, temperature, ultraviolet (UV) light, and cadmium ions on intracellular ROS accumulation in Arabidopsis mesophyll protoplasts were quantitatively investigated. Second, a faster and stronger oxidative burst was observed in Petunia protoplasts isolated from white petals than in those isolated from purple petals, demonstrating the photoprotective role of anthocyanins. Third, using mutants with different endogenous auxin, we demonstrated the beneficial effect of auxin during the process of primary cell wall regeneration. Moreover, UV-B irradiation has a similar accelerating effect by increasing the intracellular auxin level, as shown by double fluorescence channels. In summary, our work has revealed previously underappreciated phenotypic variability within a protoplast population and demonstrated the advantages of a microfluidic flow cytometry for assessing the in vivo dynamics of plant metabolic and physiological indices at the single-cell level. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Biosensors for Food, Environment, and Healthcare Analysis: From Science to Application)

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14 pages, 3741 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Phosphoprotein Detection in Sweat Realized by Intercalation Structure 2D@3D g-C₃N₄@Fe₃O₄ Wearable Sensitive Motif

by Yuting Qiao, Lijuan Qiao, Peize Zhao, Peng Zhang, Fanbin Wu, Jiahui Zhang, Li Gao, Bingxin Liu and Lei Zhang

Biosensors 2022, 12(6), 361; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios12060361 - 24 May 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2268

Abstract

Abnormal protein phosphorylation in sweat metabolites is closely related to cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other diseases. The real-time monitoring of phosphoproteins in sweat is significant for early monitoring of disease biomarkers. Here, a high-efficiency electrochemical sensor for phosphoprotein in sweat was realized by 2D@3D g-C₃N₄@Fe₃O₄ with intercalation structure. Common phosphoprotein β-Casein was selected to demonstrate the platform’s functionalities. The detection limit of g-C₃N₄@Fe₃O₄ could be as low as 9.7 μM, and the detection range was from 0.01 mg/mL to 1 mg/mL. In addition, the sensing platform showed good selectivity, reproducibility, and stability. We also investigated the effects of interface structure on adsorption properties and electronic properties of the g-C₃N₄ and Fe₃O₄ heterostructure using DFT. More electrons from Fe₃O₄ were transferred to g-C₃N₄, which increased the electrons in the energy band of N atoms and promoted the formation of stable N-H bonds with H atoms in phosphoproteins. We demonstrated phosphoprotein sensor functionality by measuring the phosphoprotein in human sweat during exercising. This work realizes a sensing platform for noninvasive and continuous detection of sweat phosphoproteins in wearable devices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Biosensors for Food, Environment, and Healthcare Analysis: From Science to Application)

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10 pages, 2405 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Carnation-like Morphology of BiVO₄-7 Enables Sensitive Photoelectrochemical Determination of Cr(VI) in the Food and Environment

by Wenqin Wu, Zhao Tan, Xiao Chen, Xiaomei Chen, Ling Cheng, Huimin Wu, Peiwu Li and Zhaowei Zhang

Biosensors 2022, 12(2), 130; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios12020130 - 19 Feb 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2492

Abstract

Hexavalent chromium, namely, Cr(VI), is a significant threat to ecological and food safety. Current detection methods are not sensitive to Cr(VI). A photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensor based on bismuth vanadate (BiVO₄) was developed for sensitive detection of Cr(VI). First, BiVO₄-X (X: the pH of the reaction precursor solution) was synthesized using a facile surfactant-free hydrothermal method. The BiVO₄-X morphology was well controlled according to pH values, showing rock-like (X = 1), wrinkled bark-like (X = 4), carnation-like (X = 7), and the collapsed sheet-like morphologies (X = 9, 12). BiVO₄-7 exhibited excellent photoelectric performance due to a proper band structure under visible light and a large specific surface area. Then, BiVO₄-7 was used to construct a PEC sensor to detect Cr(VI), which was demonstrated to have a low detection limit (10 nM) and wide detection range (2–210 μM). The BiVO₄-7 PEC sensor had a stable output signal, as well as excellent reproducibility, repeatability, and selectivity. We used the BiVO₄-7 PEC sensor to detect Cr(VI) in real environmental and food samples, resulting in a satisfactory recovery of 90.3–103.0%, as determined by comparison with results obtained using a spectrophotometric method. The BiVO₄-7 PEC sensor is promising for practical application to heavy metal detection in the food and environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Biosensors for Food, Environment, and Healthcare Analysis: From Science to Application)

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Review

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20 pages, 2248 KiB

Open AccessReview

Electrochemical Biosensors as a Novel Platform in the Identification of Listeriosis Infection

by Leila Mehrannia, Balal Khalilzadeh, Reza Rahbarghazi, Morteza Milani, Gulsah Saydan Kanberoglu, Hadi Yousefi and Nevin Erk

Biosensors 2023, 13(2), 216; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios13020216 - 1 Feb 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2582

Abstract

Listeria monocytogenes (L.M.) is a gram-positive bacillus with wide distribution in the environment. This bacterium contaminates water sources and food products and can be transmitted to the human population. The infection caused by L.M. is called listeriosis and is common in pregnant women, immune-deficient patients, and older adults. Based on the released statistics, listeriosis has a high rate of hospitalization and mortality; thus, rapid and timely detection of food contamination and listeriosis cases is necessary. During the last few decades, biosensors have been used for the detection and monitoring of varied bacteria species. These devices are detection platforms with great sensitivity and low detection limits. Among different types of biosensors, electrochemical biosensors have a high capability to circumvent several drawbacks associated with the application of conventional laboratory techniques. In this review article, different electrochemical biosensor types used for the detection of listeriosis were discussed in terms of actuators, bioreceptors, specific working electrodes, and signal amplification. We hope that this review will facilitate researchers to access a complete and comprehensive template for pathogen detection based on the different formats of electrochemical biosensors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Biosensors for Food, Environment, and Healthcare Analysis: From Science to Application)

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19 pages, 3203 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Detection of Emerging Pollutants Using Aptamer-Based Biosensors: Recent Advances, Challenges, and Outlook

by Elda A. Flores-Contreras, Reyna Berenice González-González, Everardo González-González, Elda M. Melchor-Martínez, Roberto Parra-Saldívar and Hafiz M. N. Iqbal

Biosensors 2022, 12(12), 1078; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios12121078 - 25 Nov 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3218

Abstract

The synergistic potentialities of innovative materials that include aptamers have opened new paradigms in biosensing platforms for high-throughput monitoring systems. The available nucleobase functional moieties in aptamers offer exclusive features for bioanalytical sensing applications. In this context, compared to various in-practice biological recognition elements, the utilization of aptamers in detection platforms results in an extensive range of advantages in terms of design flexibility, stability, and sensitivity, among other attributes. Thus, the utilization of aptamers-based biosensing platforms is extensively anticipated to meet unaddressed challenges of various in-practice and standard analytical and sensing techniques. Furthermore, the superior characteristics of aptasensors have led to their applicability in the detection of harmful pollutants present in ever-increasing concentrations in different environmental matrices and water bodies, seeking to achieve simple and real-time monitoring. Considering the above-mentioned critiques and notable functional attributes of aptamers, herein, we reviewed aptamers as a fascinating interface to design, develop, and deploy a new generation of monitoring systems to aid modern bioanalytical sensing applications. Moreover, this review aims to summarize the most recent advances in the development and application of aptasensors for the detection of various emerging pollutants (EPs), e.g., pharmaceutical, and personal care products (PPCPs), endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), pesticides and other agricultural-related compounds, and toxic heavy elements. In addition, the limitations and current challenges are also reviewed, considering the technical constraints and complexity of the environmental samples. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Biosensors for Food, Environment, and Healthcare Analysis: From Science to Application)

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22 pages, 4592 KiB

Open AccessReview

Recent Advances in the Recognition Elements of Sensors to Detect Pyrethroids in Food: A Review

by Le Zhang, Mingqi Zhao, Ming Xiao, Moo-Hyeog Im, A. M. Abd El-Aty, Hua Shao and Yongxin She

Biosensors 2022, 12(6), 402; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios12060402 - 10 Jun 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2900

Abstract

The presence of pyrethroids in food and the environment due to their excessive use and extensive application in the agriculture industry represents a significant threat to public health. Therefore, the determination of the presence of pyrethroids in foods by simple, rapid, and sensitive methods is warranted. Herein, recognition methods for pyrethroids based on electrochemical and optical biosensors from the last five years are reviewed, including surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), surface plasmon resonance (SPR), chemiluminescence, biochemical, fluorescence, and colorimetric methods. In addition, recognition elements used for pyrethroid detection, including enzymes, antigens/antibodies, aptamers, and molecular-imprinted polymers, are classified and discussed based on the bioreceptor types. The current research status, the advantages and disadvantages of existing methods, and future development trends are discussed. The research progress of rapid pyrethroid detection in our laboratory is also presented. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Biosensors for Food, Environment, and Healthcare Analysis: From Science to Application)

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