The detection of carcinogens and toxic pollutants in biological systems and the environment is a significant area of research for chemical analysts. The goal of making the method of detection cost effective and reproducible for large scale use can be a challenge. Electroanalytical methods represent a suitable approach as they are cost effective, easily miniaturized, and portable. Silver solid amalgam electrodes (AgSAE) represent one electroanalytical method that is less hazardous than the traditional mercury drop electrode. The modification methods using AgSAE are large in number, allowing for the development of potentially more effective sensors for a wide range of analyte detection methods. In this study, a polished AgSAE (p-AgSAE) was modified by a layer of DNA to create an electrochemical biosensor with higher sensitivity and selectivity for the detection of nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAH) in environmental systems. Cyclic voltammetry was first used to establish the presence of DNA on the surface of the electrode. Using differential pulse voltammetry, the pH dependence and limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) for the detection of 1-nitropyrene were then measured for the biosensor and were compared to those of the unmodified p-AgSAE. Both electrodes gave LOD and LOQ values in the 10-7 mol L-1 concentration range when tested in alkaline pH, however, the slope of the calibration curve for the biosensor was 7.44 mA L mol-1 while the p-AgSAE calibration curve yielded a smaller value of 4.66 mA L mol-1, supporting the hypothesis that the biosensor increases sensitivity for 1-nitropyrene.

DNA-modified silver amalgam sensor for electrochemical determination of 1-nitropyrene

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.