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Design and Application of Sensors Based on Nanomaterials in Clinical, Food and Environmental Analysis

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A special issue of Sensors (ISSN 1424-8220). This special issue belongs to the section "Physical Sensors".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 July 2024) | Viewed by 17429

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Prof. Dr. Antonella Curulli

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Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati (ISMN), 00161 Rome, Italy
Interests: organic electrochemistry and electrosynthesis; sensors and biosensors fabrication; built heritage
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Dear Colleagues,

In the last few decades, numerous strategies and technologies for the analysis of different matrices have been proposed because of their importance for the global environment and public health. In this context, the use of sensors has rapidly grown through the development of nanotechnologies, and the increasing need for fast, widespread, on-site, and real time quantification of analytes. It is to be underlined that sensors based on nanomaterials have attracted increasing attention and allow researchers to explore new principles to improve analytical performances. The functionalized nanomaterials are used as catalytic technologies, platforms for immobilization, or optical or electroactive labels to improve the sensing performances with better accuracy, reliability, and selectiveness.

Consequently, the topic of this Special Issue is devoted to the recent advances of the sensors based on nanomaterials in clinical, food, and environmental analysis. In order to give an update of the recent progress in this sensing area in terms of devices, materials, and target molecules, you are invited to submit original research articles, short communications, as well as review-type articles (e.g., comprehensive and critical literature reviews or review studies based on your recent research experience).

Prof. Dr. Antonella Curulli
Guest Editor

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Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sensors is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

food safety
environmental analysis
clinical analysis
healthcare
nanomaterials
nanotechnologies
optical sensor
electrochemical sensors
biosensors
chemosensors

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 4769 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Non-Invasive Characterization of Different Saccharomyces Suspensions with Ultrasound

by Dominik Geier, Markus Mailänder, Iain Whitehead and Thomas Becker

Sensors 2024, 24(19), 6271; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24196271 - 27 Sep 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 860

Abstract

In fermentation processes, changes in yeast cell count and substrate concentration are indicators of yeast performance. Therefore, monitoring the composition of the biological suspension, particularly the dispersed solid phase (i.e., yeast cells) and the continuous liquid phase (i.e., medium), is a prerequisite to ensure favorable process conditions. However, the available monitoring methods are often invasive or restricted by detection limits, sampling requirements, or susceptibility to masking effects from interfering signals. In contrast, ultrasound measurements are non-invasive and provide real-time data. In this study, the suitability to characterize the dispersed and the liquid phase of yeast suspensions with ultrasound was investigated. The ultrasound signals collected from three commercially available Saccharomyces yeast were evaluated and compared. For all three yeasts, the attenuation coefficient and speed of sound increased linearly with increasing yeast concentrations (0.0–1.0 wt%) and cell counts (R² > 0.95). Further characterization of the dispersed phase revealed that cell diameter and volume density influence the attenuation of the ultrasound signal, whereas changes in the speed of sound were partially attributed to compositional variations in the liquid phase. This demonstrates the ability of ultrasound to monitor industrial fermentations and the feasibility of developing targeted control strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Application of Sensors Based on Nanomaterials in Clinical, Food and Environmental Analysis)

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23 pages, 8696 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Unraveling the Chicken Meat Volatilome with Nanostructured Sensors: Impact of Live and Dehydrated Insect Larvae Feeding

by Dario Genzardi, Estefanía Núñez Carmona, Elisabetta Poeta, Francesco Gai, Immacolata Caruso, Edoardo Fiorilla, Achille Schiavone and Veronica Sberveglieri

Sensors 2024, 24(15), 4921; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24154921 - 29 Jul 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1419

Abstract

Incorporating insect meals into poultry diets has emerged as a sustainable alternative to conventional feed sources, offering nutritional, welfare benefits, and environmental advantages. This study aims to monitor and compare volatile compounds emitted from raw poultry carcasses and subsequently from cooked chicken pieces from animals fed with different diets, including the utilization of insect-based feed ingredients. Alongside the use of traditional analytical techniques, like solid-phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS), to explore the changes in VOC emissions, we investigate the potential of S3+ technology. This small device, which uses an array of six metal oxide semiconductor gas sensors (MOXs), can differentiate poultry products based on their volatile profiles. By testing MOX sensors in this context, we can develop a portable, cheap, rapid, non-invasive, and non-destructive method for assessing food quality and safety. Indeed, understanding changes in volatile compounds is crucial to assessing control measures in poultry production along the entire supply chain, from the field to the fork. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) was applied using MOX sensor readings as predictor variables and different gas classes as target variables, successfully discriminating the various samples based on their total volatile profiles. By optimizing feed composition and monitoring volatile compounds, poultry producers can enhance both the sustainability and safety of poultry production systems, contributing to a more efficient and environmentally friendly poultry industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Application of Sensors Based on Nanomaterials in Clinical, Food and Environmental Analysis)

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22 pages, 5218 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of the Bactericidal Effect of Ultrasonic and Heat Combined with Ultrasonic Treatments on Egg Liquids and Additional Analysis of Their Effect by NIR Spectral Analysis

by Dávid Nagy, Tamás Zsom, Andrea Taczman-Brückner, Tamás Somogyi, Viktória Zsom-Muha and József Felföldi

Sensors 2024, 24(14), 4547; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24144547 - 13 Jul 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1421

Abstract

Eggs are a valuable source of nutrients, but they represent a food safety risk due to the presence of microbes. In this work, three types of egg liquids (albumen, yolk and whole egg) previously contaminated with E. coli were treated with ultrasound (US) and a combination of ultrasound and low (55 °C) temperature (US+H). The US treatment parameters were 20 and 40 kHz and 180 and 300 W power and a 30, 45 or 60 min treatment time. The ultrasonic treatment alone resulted in a reduction in the microbial count of less than 1 log CFU, while the US+H treatment resulted in a reduction in CFU counts to below detectable levels in all three egg liquids. Heat treatment and ultrasound treatment had a synergistic effect on E. coli reduction. For all measurements, except for the whole egg samples treated with US, the 20 kHz treated samples showed a significantly (>90% probability level) lower bactericidal effect than the 40 kHz treated samples. PCA and aquaphotometric analysis of NIR spectra showed significant differences between the heat-treated groups’ (H and US+H) and the non-heat-treated groups’ (US and control) NIR spectra. LDA results show that heat-treated groups are distinguishable from non-heat-treated groups (for albumen 91% and for egg yolk and whole egg 100%). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Application of Sensors Based on Nanomaterials in Clinical, Food and Environmental Analysis)

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10 pages, 2018 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET)-Based Immune Assay for the Detection of Microcystin-LR in Drinking Water

by Alessandro Capo, Angela Pennacchio, Concetta Montagnese, Antonis Hadjiantonis, Panayiota Demosthenous, Alessandro Giusti, Maria Staiano, Sabato D’Auria and Antonio Varriale

Sensors 2024, 24(10), 3204; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24103204 - 17 May 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1477

Abstract

Cyanobacteria bloom is the term used to describe an abnormal and rapid growth of cyanobacteria in aquatic ecosystems such as lakes, rivers, and oceans as a consequence of anthropic factors, ecosystem degradation, or climate change. Cyanobacteria belonging to the genera Microcystis, Anabaena, Planktothrix, and Nostoc produce and release toxins called microcystins (MCs) into the water. MCs can have severe effects on human and animal health following their ingestion and inhalation. The MC structure is composed of a constant region (composed of five amino acid residues) and a variable region (composed of two amino acid residues). When the MC variable region is composed of arginine and leucine, it is named MC-LR. The most-common methods used to detect the presence of MC-LR in water are chromatographic-based methods (HPLC, LC/MS, GC/MS) and immunological-based methods (ELISA). In this work, we developed a new competitive Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) assay to detect the presence of traces of MC-LR in water. Monoclonal antibody anti-MC-LR and MC-LR conjugated with bovine serum albumin (BSA) were labeled with the near-infrared fluorophores CF568 and CF647, respectively. Steady-state fluorescence measurements were performed to investigate the energy transfer process between anti-MC-LR 568 and MC-LR BSA 647 upon their interaction. Since the presence of unlabeled MC-LR competes with the labeled one, a lower efficiency of FRET process can be observed in the presence of an increasing amount of unlabeled MC-LR. The limit of detection (LoD) of the FRET assay is found to be 0.245 nM (0.245 µg/L). This value is lower than the provisional limit established by the World Health Organization (WHO) for quantifying the presence of MC-LR in drinking water. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Application of Sensors Based on Nanomaterials in Clinical, Food and Environmental Analysis)

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19 pages, 3975 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Electrochemical Detection of Bisphenol A Based on Gold Nanoparticles/Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes: Applications on Glassy Carbon and Screen Printed Electrodes

by Maximina Luis-Sunga, Soledad Carinelli, Gonzalo García, José Luis González-Mora and Pedro A. Salazar-Carballo

Sensors 2024, 24(8), 2570; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24082570 - 17 Apr 2024

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2832

Abstract

Bisphenol A (BPA) has been classified as an endocrine-disrupting substance that may cause adverse effects on human health and the environment. The development of simple and sensitive electrochemical biosensors is crucial for the rapid and effective quantitative determination of BPA. This work presents a study on electrochemical sensors utilizing gold nanoparticle-modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT/AuNPs). Glassy carbon electrodes (GCEs) and screen-printed electrodes (SPEs) were conveniently modified and used for BPA detection. AuNPs were electrodeposited onto the CNT-modified electrodes using the galvanostatic method. The electrodes were properly modified and characterized by using Raman spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance analysis (EIS). The electrochemical response of the sensors was studied using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and constant potential amperometry (CPA) for modified GCE and SPE electrodes, respectively, and the main analytical parameters were studied and optimized. Problems encountered with the use of GCEs, such as sensor degradation and high limit of detection (LOD), were overcome by using modified SPEs and a flow injection device for the measurements. Under this approach, an LOD as low as 5 nM (S/N = 3) was achieved and presented a linear range up to 20 μM. Finally, our investigation addressed interference, reproducibility, and reusability aspects, successfully identifying BPA in both spiked and authentic samples, including commercial and tap waters. These findings underscore the practical applicability of our method for accurate BPA detection in real-world scenarios. Notably, the integration of SPEs and a flow injection device facilitated simplified automation, offering an exceptionally efficient and reliable solution for precise BPA detection in water analysis laboratories. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Application of Sensors Based on Nanomaterials in Clinical, Food and Environmental Analysis)

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13 pages, 1828 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Microfluidic Paper-Based Device Incorporated with Silica Nanoparticles for Iodide Quantification in Marine Source Dietary Supplements

by Mafalda G. Pereira, Ana Machado, Andreia Leite, Maria Rangel, Adriano Bordalo, António O. S. S. Rangel and Raquel B. R. Mesquita

Sensors 2024, 24(3), 1024; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24031024 - 5 Feb 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1752

Abstract

Iodine is an essential micronutrient for humans due to its fundamental role in the biosynthesis of thyroid hormones. As a key parameter to assess health conditions, iodine intake needs to be monitored to ascertain and prevent iodine deficiency. Iodine is available from various food sources (such as seaweed, fish, and seafood, among others) and dietary supplements (multivitamins or mineral supplements). In this work, a microfluidic paper-based analytical device (μPAD) to quantify iodide in seaweed and dietary supplements is described. The developed μPAD is a small microfluidic device that emerges as quite relevant in terms of its analytical capacity. The quantification of iodide is based on the oxidation of 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) by hydrogen peroxide in the presence of iodine, which acts as the catalyst to produce the blue form of TMB. Additionally, powder silica was used to intensify and uniformize the colour of the obtained product. Following optimization, the developed μPAD enabled iodide quantification within the range of 10–100 µM, with a detection limit of 3 µM, and was successfully applied to seaweeds and dietary supplements. The device represents a valuable tool for point-of-care analysis, can be used by untrained personnel at home, and is easily disposable, low-cost, and user-friendly. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Application of Sensors Based on Nanomaterials in Clinical, Food and Environmental Analysis)

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17 pages, 3650 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Stereoselective Voltammetric Biosensor for Myo-Inositol and D-Chiro-Inositol Recognition

by Cristina Tortolini, Valeria Gigli, Flavio Rizzo, Andrea Lenzi, Mariano Bizzarri, Antonio Angeloni and Riccarda Antiochia

Sensors 2023, 23(22), 9211; https://doi.org/10.3390/s23229211 - 16 Nov 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1750

Abstract

This paper describes the development of a simple voltammetric biosensor for the stereoselective discrimination of myo-inositol (myo-Ins) and D-chiro-inositol (D-chiro-Ins) by means of bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorption onto a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) graphite screen-printed electrode (MWCNT-GSPE), previously functionalized by the electropolymerization of methylene blue (MB). After a morphological characterization, the enantioselective biosensor platform was electrochemically characterized after each modification step by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results show that the binding affinity between myo-Ins and BSA was higher than that between D-chiro-Ins and BSA, confirming the different interactions exhibited by the novel BSA/MB/MWCNT/GSPE platform towards the two diastereoisomers. The biosensor showed a linear response towards both stereoisomers in the range of 2–100 μM, with LODs of 0.5 and 1 μM for myo-Ins and D-chiro-Ins, respectively. Moreover, a stereoselectivity coefficient α of 1.6 was found, with association constants of 0.90 and 0.79, for the two stereoisomers, respectively. Lastly, the proposed biosensor allowed for the determination of the stereoisomeric composition of myo-/D-chiro-Ins mixtures in commercial pharmaceutical preparations, and thus, it is expected to be successfully applied in the chiral analysis of pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs of forensic interest. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Application of Sensors Based on Nanomaterials in Clinical, Food and Environmental Analysis)

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23 pages, 11559 KiB

Open AccessReview

Carbon Dots in Enantioselective Sensing

by Martina Bortolami, Antonella Curulli, Paola Di Matteo, Rita Petrucci and Marta Feroci

Sensors 2024, 24(12), 3945; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24123945 - 18 Jun 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1567

Abstract

Chirality has a crucial effect on clinical, chemical and biological research since most bioactive compounds are chiral in the natural world. It is thus important to evaluate the enantiomeric ratio (or the enantiopurity) of the selected chiral analytes. To this purpose, fluorescence and electrochemical sensors, in which a chiral modifier is present, are reported in the literature. In this review, fluorescence and electrochemical sensors for enantiorecognition, in which chiral carbon dots (CDs) are used, are reported. Chiral CDs are a novel zero-dimensional carbon-based nanomaterial with a graphitic or amorphous carbon core and a chiral surface. They are nanoparticles with a high surface-to-volume ratio and good conductivity. Moreover, they have the advantages of good biocompatibility, multi-color emission, good conductivity and easy surface functionalization. Their exploitation in enantioselective sensing is the object of this review, in which several examples of fluorescent and electrochemical sensors, containing chiral CDs, are analyzed and discussed. A brief introduction to the most common synthetic procedures of chiral CDs is also reported, evidencing strengths and weaknesses. Finally, consideration concerning the potential challenges and future opportunities for the application of chiral CDs to the enantioselective sensing world are outlined. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Application of Sensors Based on Nanomaterials in Clinical, Food and Environmental Analysis)

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25 pages, 9101 KiB

Open AccessReview

Advances in Nanomaterials and Colorimetric Detection of Arsenic in Water: Review and Future Perspectives

by Abhijnan Bhat, Furong Tian and Baljit Singh

Sensors 2024, 24(12), 3889; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24123889 - 15 Jun 2024

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3450

Abstract

Arsenic, existing in various chemical forms such as arsenate (As(V)) and arsenite (As(III)), demands serious attention in water and environmental contexts due to its significant health risks. It is classified as “carcinogenic to humans” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and is listed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the top 10 chemicals posing major public health concerns. This widespread contamination results in millions of people globally being exposed to dangerous levels of arsenic, making it a top priority for the WHO. Chronic arsenic toxicity, known as arsenicosis, presents with specific skin lesions like pigmentation and keratosis, along with systemic manifestations including chronic lung diseases, liver issues, vascular problems, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and cancer, often leading to fatal outcomes. Therefore, it is crucial to explore novel, cost-effective, and reliable methods with rapid response and improved sensitivities (detection limits). Most of the traditional detection techniques often face limitations in terms of complexity, cost, and the need for sophisticated equipment requiring skilled analysts and procedures, which thereby impedes their practical use, particularly in resource-constrained settings. Colorimetric methods leverage colour changes which are observable and quantifiable using simple instrumentation or even visual inspection. This review explores the colorimetric techniques designed to detect arsenite and arsenate in water. It covers recent developments in colorimetric techniques, and advancements in the role of nanomaterials in colorimetric arsenic detection, followed by discussion on current challenges and future prospects. The review emphasizes efforts to improve sensitivity, selectivity, cost, and portability, as well as the role of advanced materials/nanomaterials to boost the performance of colorimetric assays/sensors towards combatting this pervasive global health concern. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Application of Sensors Based on Nanomaterials in Clinical, Food and Environmental Analysis)

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