Biosensors for Food Toxin Detection: Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene

ABSTRACTThere is increased interest towards the application of carbon based nanomaterials to biosensors since these can be used to quickly detect presence of the toxins in food, agricultural and environmental systems. The accurate, faster and early detection of food toxins is presently very important for ensuring safety and shelf life of agricultural commodities resulting from food contamination. The carbon materials (CNTs) and recently discovered graphene have been predicted to be promising candidates in the development of electrochemical biosensor owing to their exceptionally large surface area and interesting electrochemical properties. We focus on some of the recent results obtained in our laboratories pertaining to the development of biosensors based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes and graphene for mycotoxin(aflatoxin ) detection.

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Distribution in the brain and possible neuroprotective effects of intranasally delivered multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Nanoscale Advances ◽

10.1039/d0na00869a ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Marzia Soligo ◽

Fausto Maria Felsani ◽

Tatiana Da Ros ◽

Susanna Bosi ◽

Elena Pellizzoni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Carbon Nanotubes ◽

Nervous System ◽

Electrochemical Properties ◽

Biomedical Applications ◽

Neurological Diseases ◽

Neuroprotective Effects ◽

Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes ◽

Walled Carbon Nanotubes ◽

The Brain ◽

Active Investigation

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are currently under active investigation for their use in several biomedical applications, especially in neurological diseases and nervous system injury due to their electrochemical properties.

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Effect of oxidative treatment on the electrochemical properties of aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Russian Journal of Electrochemistry ◽

10.1134/s1023193516050049 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 52 (5) ◽

pp. 441-448 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

E. O. Fedorovskaya ◽

L. G. Bulusheva ◽

A. G. Kurenya ◽

I. P. Asanov ◽

A. V. Okotrub

Keyword(s):

Carbon Nanotubes ◽

Electrochemical Properties ◽

Oxidative Treatment ◽

Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes ◽

Walled Carbon Nanotubes

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Spermatotoxic Effects of Single-Walled and Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes on Male Mice

Frontiers in Veterinary Science ◽

10.3389/fvets.2020.591558 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

Author(s):

Omid Farshad ◽

Reza Heidari ◽

Mohammad Javad Zamiri ◽

Socorro Retana-Márquez ◽

Meghdad Khalili ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Carbon Nanotubes ◽

Sperm Count ◽

Weight Coefficient ◽

Reproductive Organs ◽

Significant Decrement ◽

Total Antioxidant ◽

Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes ◽

Carbon Based Nanomaterials ◽

Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Carbon-based nanomaterials possess a remarkably high potential for biomedical applications due to their physical properties; however, their detrimental effects on reproduction are also concerned. Several reports indicate the toxicity of carbon nanotubes (CNT); nevertheless, their impact on intracellular organelles in the male reproductive organs has not been fully elucidated. Herein, we report on the reprotoxicity of single-walled (SWCNT) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCN) on several intracellular events and histological criteria in pubertal male BALB/c mice orally treated with 0, 10, and 50 mg/kg/day doses for 5 weeks. Biomarkers of oxidative stress and mitochondrial functionality, histopathological alterations, and epididymal sperm characteristics were determined. Oral administration of CNTs at 10 and 50 mg/kg evoked a significant decrement in weight coefficient, sperm viability and motility, hypo-osmotic swelling (HOS) test, sperm count, mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity, ATP content, total antioxidant capacity, and GSH/GSSH ratio in the testis and epididymal spermatozoa. On the other hand, percent abnormal sperm, testicular and sperm TBARS contents, protein carbonylation, ROS formation, oxidized glutathione level, and sperm mitochondrial depolarization were considerably increased. Significant histopathological and stereological alterations in the testis occurred in the groups challenged with CNTs. The current findings indicated that oxidative stress and mitochondrial impairment might substantially impact CNTs-induced reproductive system injury and sperm toxicity. The results can also be used to establish environmental standards for CNT consumption by mammals, produce new chemicals for controlling the rodent populations, and develop therapeutic approaches against CNTs-associated reproductive anomalies in the males exposed daily to these nanoparticles.

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Electrodeposition of Sn and Sn Composites with Carbon Materials Using Choline Chloride-Based Ionic Liquids

Coatings ◽

10.3390/coatings9120798 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (12) ◽

pp. 798

Author(s):

Ana T. S. C. Brandão ◽

Liana Anicai ◽

Oana Andreea Lazar ◽

Sabrina Rosoiu ◽

Aida Pantazi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Carbon Nanotubes ◽

Carbon Materials ◽

Electrochemical Impedance ◽

Choline Chloride ◽

Composite Films ◽

Growth Stages ◽

Initial Growth ◽

Sem Images ◽

Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes ◽

Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Nano carbons, such as graphene and carbon nanotubes, show very interesting electrochemical properties and are becoming a focus of interest in many areas, including electrodeposition of carbon–metal composites for battery application. The aim of this study was to incorporate carbon materials (namely oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (ox-MWCNT), pristine multi-walled carbon nanotubes (P-MWCNT), and reduced graphene oxide (rGO)) into a metallic tin matrix. Formation of the carbon–tin composite materials was achieved by electrodeposition from a choline chloride-based ionic solvent. The different structures and treatments of the carbon materials will create metallic composites with different characteristics. The electrochemical characterization of Sn and Sn composites was performed using chronoamperometry, potentiometry, electrochemical impedance, and cyclic voltammetry. The initial growth stages of Sn and Sn composites were characterized by a glassy-carbon (GC) electrode surface. Nucleation studies were carried out, and the effect of the carbon materials was characterized using the Scharifker and Hills (SH) and Scharifker and Mostany (SM) models. Through a non-linear fitting method, it was shown that the nucleation of Sn and Sn composites on a GC surface occurred through a 3D instantaneous process with growth controlled by diffusion. According to Raman and XRD analysis, carbon materials were successfully incorporated at the Sn matrix. AFM and SEM images showed that the carbon incorporation influences the coverage of the surface as well as the size and shape of the agglomerate. From the analysis of the corrosion tests, it is possible to say that Sn-composite films exhibit a comparable or slightly better corrosion performance as compared to pure Sn films.

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