The current demands of sustainable green methodologies have increased the use of enzymatic technology in industrial processes. Employment of enzyme as biocatalysts offers the benefits of mild reaction conditions, biodegradability and catalytic efficiency. The harsh conditions of industrial processes, however, increase propensity of enzyme destabilization, shortening their industrial lifespan. Consequently, the technology of enzyme immobilization provides an effective means to circumvent these concerns by enhancing enzyme catalytic properties and also simplify downstream processing and improve operational stability. There are several techniques used to immobilize the enzymes onto supports which range from reversible physical adsorption and ionic linkages, to the irreversible stable covalent bonds. Such techniques produce immobilized enzymes of varying stability due to changes in the surface microenvironment and degree of multipoint attachment. Hence, it is mandatory to obtain information about the structure of the enzyme protein following interaction with the support surface as well as interactions of the enzymes with other proteins. Characterization technologies at the nanoscale level to study enzymes immobilized on surfaces are crucial to obtain valuable qualitative and quantitative information, including morphological visualization of the immobilized enzymes. These technologies are pertinent to assess efficacy of an immobilization technique and development of future enzyme immobilization strategies.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/13102818.2015.1008192

An overview of technologies for immobilization of enzymes and surface analysis techniques for immobilized enzymes

Perspectives for nano-biotechnology enabled protection and nutrition of plants

1. Scope of Article and Previous Related Reviews 5346 2. Introduction 5346 2.1. Destruction 5347 2.2. Sensing 5347 2.3. Historical Context 5348 2.3.1. Brief History and Molecular Structure 5348 2.4. Related Compounds and Nomenclature 5348 2.4.1. Phosphorus(V) Parent Compounds and Fundamental Chemistry 5348 2.4.2. Pesticides 5349 2.4.3. Simulants 5349 2.4.4. Decomposition Products 5350 2.5. Toxicology 5351 2.5.1. Acetylcholine Esterase (AChE) Inhibition 5351 2.5.2. Endocannabinoid System Activation 5352 2.6. Critical Needs To Decontaminate and Detect 5353 2.7. Treaties and Conventions 5354 3. Stockpile Destruction 5355 3.1. Agent Storage 5355 3.2. Protection Protocols and Logistics 5355 3.3. Background 5355 3.4. Methods Currently Employed 5355 3.4.1. Incineration 5355 3.4.2. Neutralization by Base Hydrolysis 5356 4. Decomposition Reactions 5357 4.1. Hydrolysis 5357 4.2. Autocatalytic Hydrolysis or Hydrolysis Byproducts 5358 4.3. Use of Peroxide 5359 4.4. Oxidation with Bleach and Related Reagents 5360 4.5. Alkoxide as Nucleophile 5360 4.5.1. Basic Media 5360 4.5.2. Metal-Catalyzed Reactions 5361 4.5.3. Metal-Assisted Reactions 5363 4.5.4. Biotechnological Degradation 5363 4.5.5. Cyclodextrin-Assisted Reactions 5370 4.6. Halogen as the Nucleophile 5370 4.6.1. Use of BrOx 5370 4.6.2. Use of Other Halogens 5371 4.6.3. Use of Group 13 Chelates 5371 4.7. Surface Chemistry 5371 4.7.1. Bare Metals and Solid Nanoparticles 5371 4.7.2. Metal Oxides 5371 4.7.3. Representative Elements 5372 4.7.4. d-Block (Groups 4 10) 5373 4.7.5. Solid Metal Oxides of Group 3 and the Lanthanides 5375 4.7.6. Porous Silicon and Related Systems 5375 4.7.7. Zeolites 5375 4.7.8. Comparative IR Data 5375 4.8. Other Types of Systems 5375 5. Decontamination 5376 5.1. Overview: Ability to React with All Types of Agents, Ease of Application, and Compatibility with Treated Objects 5376 6. Agent Fate and Disposal 5378 6.1. Indoor 5378 6.2. Concrete and Construction Surfaces 5378 6.3. Landfills 5379 7. Sensing and Detection 5379 7.1. Possible Metal Ion Binding Modes in Solution 5379 7.1.1. Early Reports of Phosph(on)ate [R3PdO 3 3 3M nþ] Interactions (R= Alkyl, Alkoxyl) 5380 7.1.2. Coordination Chemistry of Downstream Non-P-Containing Products of Decomposition 5380 7.2. Colorimetric Detection 5381 7.3. Chemiluminescence: Fluorescence and Phosphorescence 5382 7.3.1. Lanthanide-Based Catalysts 5382 7.3.2. Organometallic-Based Sensors 5382 7.3.3. Organic Design 5382 7.3.4. Biologically-Based Luminescence Detection 5382 7.3.5. Polymer and Bead Supports 5382 7.4. Porous Silicon 5383 7.5. Carbon Nanotubes 5383

Destruction and Detection of Chemical Warfare Agents

Most of the metal ions are carcinogens and lead to serious health concerns by producing free radicals. Hence, fast and accurate detection of metal ions has become a critical issue. Among various metal ions arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury and chromium are considered to be highly toxic. To detect these metal ions, electrochemical biosensors with interfaces such as microorganisms, enzymes, microspheres, nanomaterials like gold, silver nanoparticles, CNTs, and metal oxides have been developed. Among these, nanomaterials are considered to be most promising, owing to their strong adsorption, fast electron transfer kinetics, and biocompatibility, which are very apt for biosensing applications. The coupling of electrochemical techniques with nanomaterials has enhanced the sensitivity, limit of detection, and robustness of the sensors. In this review, toxicity mechanisms of various metal ions and their relationship towards the induction of oxidative stress have been summarized. Also, electrochemical biosensors employed in the detection of metal ions with various interfaces have been highlighted.

A review on detection of heavy metal ions in water – An electrochemical approach

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) exhibit a unique combination of excellent mechanical, electrical and electrochemical properties, which has stimulated increasing interest in the application of CNTs as components in (bio)sensors. This review highlights various design methodologies for CNT-based biosensors and their employment for the detection of a number of biomolecules. In addition, recent developments in the fields of CNT-based chemiresistors and chemically sensitive field-effect transistors are presented. After a critical discussion of the factors that currently limit the practical use of CNT-based biosensors, the review concludes with an outline of potential future applications for CNTs in biology and medicine.

Biosensors based on carbon nanotubes

Determination of organophosphate pesticides at a carbon nanotube/organophosphorus hydrolase electrochemical biosensor

A disposable biosensor based on acetylcholinesterase-functionalized acid purified multi-wall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) modified thick film strip electrode for organophosphorus (OP) insecticides was developed. The degree of inhibition of the enzyme acteylcholinesterase (AChE) by OP compounds was determined by measuring the electrooxidation current of the thiocholine generated by the AChE catalyzed hydrolysis of acteylthiocholine (ATCh). The large surface area and electro-catalytic activity of carbon nanotubes lowered the overpotential for thiocholine oxidation to 200 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl) without the use of mediating redox species and enzyme immobilization by physical adsorption. The biosensor detected as low as 0.5 nM (0.145 ppb) of the model organophosphate nerve agent paraoxon with good precision, electrode to electrode reproducibility and stability. Analysis of real water sample using the sensor demonstrated the feasibility of the application of the sensor for on site monitoring of OP compounds.

A Disposable Biosensor for Organophosphorus Nerve Agents Based on Carbon Nanotubes Modified Thick Film Strip Electrode

An enzyme electrode for the detection of V-type nerve agents, VX (O-ethyl-S-2-diisopropylaminoethyl methylphosphonothioate) and R-VX (O-isobutyl-S-2-diethylaminoethyl methylphosphonothioate), is proposed. The principle of the new biosensor is based on the enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis of the nerve agents and amperometric detection of the thiol-containing hydrolysis products at carbon nanotube-modified screen-printed electrodes. Demeton-S was used as a nerve agent mimic. 2-(Diethylamino)ethanethiol (DEAET) and 2-(dimethylamino)ethanethiol (DMAET), the thiol-containing hydrolysis product and hydrolysis product mimic of R-VX and VX, respectively, were monitored by exploiting the electrocatalytic activity of carbon nanotubes (CNT). As low as 2 μM DMAET and 0.8 μM DEAET were detected selectively at a low applied potential of 0.5 V vs Ag/AgCl at a CNT-modified mediator-free amperometric electrode. Further, the large surface area and the hydrophobicity of CNT was used to immobilize organophosphorus hydrolase mutan...

V-type nerve agent detection using a carbon nanotube-based amperometric enzyme electrode.

Nanoelectronic devices for the detection and quantification of biomolecules are provided. In certain embodiments, the devices are configured to detect and measure blood glucose levels. Also provided are methods of fabricating nanoelectronic devices for the detection of biomolecules.

Kanchan A. Joshi

Papers

Determination of organophosphate pesticides at a carbon nanotube/organophosphorus hydrolase electrochemical biosensor

A Disposable Biosensor for Organophosphorus Nerve Agents Based on Carbon Nanotubes Modified Thick Film Strip Electrode

V-type nerve agent detection using a carbon nanotube-based amperometric enzyme electrode.

Nanoelectronic electrochemical test device

Biomolecules-carbon nanotubes doped conducting polymer nanocomposites and their sensor application.