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Impedimetric determination of cortisol using screen-printed electrode with aptamer-modified magnetic beads

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Abstract

A non-invasive aptamer-based electrochemical biosensor using disposable screen-printed graphene electrodes (SPGEs) was developed for simple, rapid, and sensitive determination of cortisol levels. Selective detection of cortisol based on a label-free electrochemical assay was achieved by specific recognition of the cortisol DNA aptamer (CApt). The CApt was modified with streptavidin magnetic beads (MBs) before simple immobilization onto the electrode surface using a neodymium magnet. The electrochemical behavior of the aptamer-based biosensor was assessed by using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) (vs Ag/AgCl). The specific binding between cortisol and CApt resulted in a decrease in charge transfer resistance (Rct) from EIS using [Fe(CN)6]3−/4− with increasing cortisol concentration. Under optimal conditions, a linear range from 0.10 to 100 ng/mL with a low detection limit (3SD/slope) of 2.1 pg/mL was obtained. Furthermore, the proposed biosensing system exhibited a satisfactory recovery in the range 97.4–109.2% with 5.7–6.6% RSD in spiked artificial human sweat. Regarding the applications of this tool, the aptamer-based biosensor has potential to be a versatile and point-of-care (POC) device for simple, sensitive, selective, disposable, and low-cost cortisol detection.

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Funding

The authors thank financial supports from the Science Achievement Scholarship of Thailand (SAST), the 90th Anniversary of Chulalongkorn University Fund (Ratchadaphiseksompot Endowment Fund) (GCUGR1125633049D), National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), and the Electrochemistry and Optical Spectroscopy Research Unit (EOSCE), Chulalongkorn University. PT would like to acknowledge the Second Century Fund (C2F), Chulalongkorn University, for providing the fellowship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Electrochemistry and Optical Spectroscopy Center of Excellence (EOSCE), Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Pathumwan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand

    Pannaporn Pusomjit, Prinjaporn Teengam & Orawon Chailapakul

  2. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Silpakorn University, Amphoe Muang, Nakhon Pathom, 73000, Thailand

    Nichanan Thepsuparungsikul & Sucharat Sanongkiet

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  1. Pannaporn Pusomjit
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  2. Prinjaporn Teengam
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  3. Nichanan Thepsuparungsikul
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  4. Sucharat Sanongkiet
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  5. Orawon Chailapakul
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Correspondence to Nichanan Thepsuparungsikul or Orawon Chailapakul.

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We have used artificial human sweat as analyte-free sample. Therefore, the human research ethics for the analysis of real sample are not required.

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Pusomjit, P., Teengam, P., Thepsuparungsikul, N. et al. Impedimetric determination of cortisol using screen-printed electrode with aptamer-modified magnetic beads. Microchim Acta 188, 41 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-020-04692-y

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