Flow injection analysis-Rayleigh light scattering detection for online determination of protein in human serum sample

A flow injection analysis (FIA) system combined with Rayleigh light scattering (RLS) detection is developed for the sensitive and rapid determination of protein concentration in human serum sample. This method is based on the weak intensity of RLS of Eriochrome Black T (EBT, 2-hydroxy-1-(1-hydroxy-2-naphthylazo)-6-nitronaphthalene-4-sulfonic acid sodium salt), which can be enhanced by the addition of protein in weakly acidic solution. The effects of pH and interfering species on the determination of protein were examined. Calibrations for protein, based on RLS intensity, were linear in the concentration ranges of 7-36 microg/ml for human serum album (HSA) and 8-44 microg/ml for bovine serum album (BSA). The detection limits of the method were found to be 0.882 and 2.507 microg/ml for HSA and BSA, respectively. A relative standard deviation of 0.76% (n=5) was obtained with 20 microg/ml HSA standard solution. The FIA-RLS method was more stable than the general RLS method, and the average RSD value of FIA-RLS was less than that of the general RLS. The sample rate was determined to be 90 samples per hour.     

Use of sodium lauroyl sarcosinate in a high-sensitivity protein assay by resonance light scattering technique

A simple and high-sensitivity method has been developed for the determination of proteins in aqueous solutions by resonance light scattering (RLS) technique. At pH 3.4 and ionic strength 1.2 x 10(-3), the weak RLS intensity of sodium lauroyl sarcosinate was greatly enhanced by the addition of proteins with the maximum peak located at 391 nm. Under the optimum conditions, the enhanced RLS intensities were in proportion to the concentrations of proteins in the range of 0.04 to 2.1 microg/mL for lysozyme, 0.0025 to 1.2 microg/mL for bovine serum albumin, 0.0075 to 0.9 microg/mL for human serum albumin, 0.02 to 1.4 microg/mL for gamma-globulin, 0.02 to 0.8 microg/mL for egg albumin, and 0.01 to 0.6 microg/mL for hemoglobin. Low detection limits ranging from 0.8 ng/mL to 4.3 ng/mL depending on the kind of proteins that have been achieved. The protein concentrations in synthetic samples and real biochemical samples were determined with satisfactory results. This method presented here is not only sensitive and simple but also reliable and suitable for practical bioassay applications.     

Determination of proteins with fullerol by a resonance light scattering technique

Fullerol has been synthesized through the reaction of fullerene C60 with NaOH in aqueous solution by means of ultrasonic agitation and characterized by infrared and 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The fullerol obtained shows good solubility and excellent stability in water. A weak resonance light scattering (RLS) spectrum of fullerol was observed in aqueous solution. However, the intensity of the RLS signal could be enhanced in the presence of proteins, including bovine serum albumin (BSA), human serum albumin (HSA), pepsin (Pep), and lysozyme (Lys). Based on the enhancement of the RLS, a sensitive method for the determination of proteins has been established. The quantitative conditions were considered with regard to the effects of the pH, the ion strength, and the concentration of the fullerol. Under the optimum conditions, the intensity of the RLS was proportional to the concentration of proteins with the limits of detection of 9.7, 10.9, 57.4, and 8.5 ng mL(-1) for BSA, HSA, Pep, and Lys, respectively. Almost no interference can be observed from some amino acids, nucleic acids, and most of the metal ions. The model samples and human serum samples were determined satisfactorily with the proposed method.     

Interactions between 1-benzoyl-4-p-chlorophenyl thiosemicarbazide and serum albumin: investigation by fluorescence spectroscopy

The interactions between 1-benzoyl-4-p-chlorphenyl thiosemicarbazide (BCPT) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) or human serum albumin (HSA) have been studied by fluorescence spectroscopy. By the analysis of fluorescence spectrum and fluorescence intensity, it was showed that BCPT has a strong ability to quench the intrinsic fluorescence of both bovine serum albumin and human serum albumin through a static quenching procedure. The binding constants of BCPT with BSA or HSA were determined at different temperatures based on the fluorescence quenching results. The binding sites were obtained and the binding force were suggested to be mainly hydrophobic. The effect of common ions on the binding constants was also investigated. A new fluorescence spectroscopy assay of the proteins is presented. The linear range is 5.36-67.0 microg mL(-1) with recovery of 101.1% for BSA, and the linear range is 8.28-144.9 microg mL(-1) with recovery of 102.6% for HSA. Determination of the proteins in bovine serum or in human serum by this method gives results which are very close to those obtained by using Coomassie Brilliant Blue G-250 colorimetry. A practical method was proposed for the determination of BCPT in human serum samples.     

Dye-binding protein assay using a long-wave-absorbing cyanine probe

A simple and fast protein assay that involves the binding of water-soluble sulfonate heptamethylene cyanine to protein is described. The binding of the dye to protein causes a shift in the absorption maximum of the dye from 778 to 904 nm, and the increase in absorption at 904 nm is monitored. This assay is very reproducible, of good color stability for at least 80 min, and sensitive at the 100 ng/mL level of human serum albumin (HSA) when a spectrophotometer with near-infrared wavelength is used to measure absorbance. Few chemicals except ionic surfactants such as cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and sodium dodecyl sulfonate interfere with the assay. Purified proteins have different capacities to interact with the dye; under the experimental conditions, the linear ranges of bovine serum albumin (BSA), HSA and gamma-IgG were 200-2000, 100-2400, and 200-3000 ng/mL, respectively. The relative standard deviation for the five replicate determinations of 1200 ng/mL BSA is 2.1%.     

Protein analysis with tetra-substituted sulfonated cobalt phthalocyanine by the technique of Rayleigh light scattering

This is the first report of cobalt-tetrasulfonatophthalocyanine (CoTSPc) as a probe of Rayleigh light scattering (RLS) to determine proteins at nanogram levels. A highly sensitive method has been developed for the determination of proteins by the light scattering technique on a common spectrofluorimeter, based on the fact that the weak RLS of CoTSPc can be greatly enhanced in the presence of proteins. Under optimum conditions, the linear ranges of the calibration curves were 0.10-34.3 microg x mL(-1) for both human serum albumin and bovine serum albumin, with detection limits of 15.5 and 13.9 ng x mL(-1), respectively. Moreover, there is almost no interference of any amino acids and metal ions. The method has been applied to the direct determination of total proteins in human serum samples, and the results were satisfactory with clinical data provided.     

Fluorescence enhancement effect of the morin-Al3+ -sodium dodecyl benzene sulphonate-protein system and the determination of proteins.

The fluorescence intensity of the morin-Al(3+) complex was greatly enhanced by proteins in the presence of sodium dodecyl benzene sulphonate (SDBS). Based on this, a new fluorimetric method for the determination of protein was developed. Under optimum conditions, the enhanced intensity of fluorescence was in proportion to the concentration of proteins in the range 1.0 x 10(-8)-1.3 x 10(-5) g/mL for bovine serum albumin (BSA), 4.0 x 10(-8)-1.2 x 10(-5) g/mL for egg albumin (EA) and 5.0 x 10(-8)-1.2 x 10(-5) g/mL for human serum albumin (HSA). Their detection limits (S:N = 3) were 5.0 x 10(-9), 1.8 x 10(-8) and 1.6 x 10(-8) g/mL, respectively. The interaction mechanism was also studied.     

Study on the interaction between protein and Eu(III)-chlorotetracycline complex and the determination of protein using the fluorimetric method.

Chlorotetracycline (CTC) can react with europium ions Eu3+, and the complex emits the intrinsic fluorescence of Eu3+. The intensity is greatly enhanced by proteins and this forms the basis of a new fluorimetric method for determination of protein. Further research indicates that under optimum conditions, the enhanced intensity of fluorescence is in proportion to the concentration of proteins, in the range 2.0 x 10(-7)-1.0 x 10(-5) g/mL for bovine serum albumin (BSA) (linear equation, I(f) = 34.35933 + 11.54467 x 10(6)C)(r = 0.99895) and 8.0 x 10(-7)-1.0 x 10(-5) g/mL for human serum albumin (HSA) (linear equation, I(f) = 76.58881 + 5.3569 x 10(6)C) (r = 0.99283). Detection limits (S/N = 3) were 8.9 x 10(-9) g/mL for BSA and 3.3 x 10(-8) g/mL for HSA. In an assay for BSA in calf serum, this method gave a value close to that determined by the UV spectrophotometric method.     

Protein analysis with terbium (III) and sodium dodecyl sulphonate by a second-order scattering technique.

This is the first report of terbium(III) as a probe of second-order scattering (SOS) for the determination of proteins in human serum at nanogram levels. A sensitive method has been developed using light scattering, based on the fact that the weak SOS of proteins can be enhanced in the presence of terbium(III) and sodium dodecyl sulphonate (SDS). With this method, 7.0 x 10(-9)-1.0 x 10(-5) g/mL human serum albumin (HSA) and 5.0 x 10(-9)-5.0 x 10(-6) g/mL gamma-globulin can be determined; the detection limits were 4.4 ng/mL for HSA and 3.1 ng/mL for gamma-globulin. The method has been applied to the detection of total proteins in human serum samples, and the results are consistent with those obtained by the Coomassie brilliant blue (CBB) G-250 assay.     

A flow-injection chemiluminescence method for the determination of human serum albumin, using the reaction of fluorescein-human serum albumin-sodium hypochlorite by the enhancement effect of the cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide.

The interaction between surfactant and fluorescein was studied, using a fluorescence spectroscopy and flow-injection (FI) chemiluminescence (CL) method. It was found that the cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) could cause the structural transformation of fluorescein from the quinone to the spirolactone form, and greatly enhance the CL intensity of the fluorescein-human serum albumin (HSA) complex. Based on this finding, a rapid and sensitive FI-CL method was developed for the determination of HSA. Under the optimum conditions, the proposed method has a linear range of 0.05-24.0 microg/mL, with a detection limit of 0.03 microg/mL for HSA (3sigma). The relative standard deviation (RSD) of 1.2 microg/mL HSA (n = 8) is 0.8%. The method was applied to the determination of protein content in urine samples, with satisfactory results. Density functional theory was used to study the mechanism of surfactant-enhanced CL intensity of the fluorescein-HSA complex.     

Improvement of the acridine orange-protein-surfactant system for protein estimation based on aromatic ring stacking effect of sodium dodecyl benzene sulphonate.

The fluorescence of acridine orange (AO) is greatly quenched by the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl benzene sulphonate (SDBS), but when protein is added into the AO-SDBS system, the fluorescence intensity of the latter is enhanced again. Based on this, a new fluorimetric method of determination of protein was developed. Under optimum conditions, the enhanced intensity of fluorescence is in proportion to the concentration of protein, such as bovine serum albumin (BSA), human serum albumin (HSA) and egg albumin (EA), over a wide range with detection limits at the 10(-9) g/mL level. This method has been satisfactorily used for the determination of protein in samples. We compared results using 280 nm and 490 nm excitation wavelengths and the mechanism of the assay.     

Fluorescence quenching of serum albumin by rifamycin antibiotics and their analytical application.

In neutral medium, rifamycin antibiotics such as rifapentin (RFPT), rifampicin (RFP), rifandin (RFD) and rifamycin SV (RFSV) can bind with human serum albumin (HSA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) to form complexes, resulting in the quenching of the intrinsic fluorescence (lambda(ex)/lambda(em) = 285/355 nm) of the BSA and HSA. The quenching intensity (DeltaF) is directly proportional to the concentration of the rifamycin antibiotics. Therefore, a new analytical method was established to determine trace rifamycin antibiotics. The method had fairly high sensitivity and the detecting limits (3sigma) for RFPT, RFP, RFD and RFSV were 0.85, 0.98, 1.83, 1.89 ng/mL, respectively, for the HSA system and 0.76, 0.89, 1.55, 1.77 ng/mL, respectively, for the BSA system. All relative standard deviations (RSDs) were <3.8%. In this work, the characteristics of the fluorescence spectra were studied and the optimum reaction conditions and influencing factors were investigated. The influence of coexisting substances was tested and the results showed that the method had good selectivity and could be applied to determine trace rifamycin antibiotics in medicine capsules and urine samples. Taking the RFSV-serum albumin system as an example, the reaction mechanisms, such as binding constants, binding sites, binding distance and the type of fluorescence quenching, were investigated.     

Determination of nanograms of proteins based on decreased resonance light scattering of zwitterionic gemini surfactant

A new high-sensitivity detection of protein assay at the nanogram level is proposed based on the decreased resonance light scattering (RLS) signals of zwitterionic gemini surfactant (phosphodiesters quaternary ammonium salt [PQAS]). It was found that PQAS self-assembled into nanometer-scale PQAS aggregates, which induced intense RLS signal in Britton-Robinson (BR) buffer solution (pH 10.5). Under the optimum conditions, the RLS intensity quenching extent of PQAS aggregation was in proportion to the concentration of proteins in the range of 0.0012-1.08 μg/ml for bovine serum albumin, 0.0015-0.95 μg/ml for human serum albumin, and 0.0025-1.3 μg/ml for γ-globulin. The detection limits were 0.8, 1.2, and 2.0 ng/ml, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine total protein in human serum samples, and the results were identical to those obtained by the Bradford assay. The mechanism of interaction between PQAS and protein was studied using RLS, fluorescence, and time-resolved fluorescence, which indicated that the new complex formed between them, disaggregating self-aggregation of PQAS, resulted in the dominated quenching of RLS signal of the assay system.     

Fluorimetric determination of proteins using 4‐chloro‐(2′‐hydroxylophenylazo)rhodanine–Ti(IV) complex as a spectral probe

A novel method for the determination of proteins was developed, based on the enhancement of fluorescence with 4‐chloro‐(2′‐hydroxylophenylazo)rhodanine–Ti(IV) [ClHARP–Ti(IV)] complex as a fluorescence probe. The excitation and emission wavelengths of the system were 335 nm and 376 nm, respectively. The presence of bis(2‐ethylhexyl)sulphosuccinate sodium salt (AOT) microemulsion greatly increased the sensitivity of the system. Under optimal conditions, four kinds of proteins, including bovine serum albumin (BSA), human serum albumin (HSA), egg albumin (Ova), and γ‐globin (γ‐G) were studied. The detection limits were 0.182 µg/mL for BSA, 0.0788 µg/mL for HSA, 0.216 µg/mL for Ova and 0.484 µg/mL for γ‐G. The linear ranges of the calibration were 0–12.0, 0–10.0, 0–18.0 and 0–18.0 µg/mL, respectively. The method possessed high sensitivity, good selectivity and was applied to the analysis of protein in milk powder and cornmeal with satisfactory results. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A quantum dot-based optical immunosensor for human serum albumin detection

In this study, a CdSe/ZnS quantum dot (QD)-based immunosensor using a simple optical system for human serum albumin (HSA) detection is developed. Monoclonal anti-HSA (AHSA) immobilized on 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES)-modified glass was used to capture HSA specifically. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used to block non-specific sites. The solution, containing AHSA-QD complex prepared by mixing biotinylated polyclonal anti-HSA and streptavidin coated QD, was used to conjugate with the HSA molecules captured on AHSA/BSA/APTES-modified glass for the modification of HSA with QD. A simple optical system, comprising a diode laser (405 nm), an optical lens, a 515-nm-long pass filter, and an Si-photodiode, was used to detect fluorescence and convert it to photocurrent. The current intensity was determined by the amount of QD specifically conjugated with HSA, and was therefore HSA-concentration-dependent and could be used to quantify HSA concentration. The detection limit of the pure QD solution was ~3.5×10(-12) M, and the detection limit for the CdSe/ZnS QD-based immunosensor developed in this study was approximately 3.2×10(-5) mg/ml. This small optical biosensing system shows considerable potential for future applications of on-chip liver-function detection.     

Development of a sensitive and rapid nucleic acid assay with tetraphenyl porphyrinatoiron chloride by a resonance light scattering technique.

Based on the interaction between nucleic acids and tetraphenyl porphyrinatoiron chloride (FeTPPCl), a novel method for the determination of nucleic acids at the nanogram level has been developed. Under the optimum conditions, the weak resonance light scattering (RLS) intensity of FeTPPCl was greatly enhanced by nucleic acids and the enhanced RLS intensity was proportional to the concentration of nucleic acids in the range 0.02-2.8 microg/mL for calf thymus DNA, 0.05-3.3 microg/mL for fish sperm DNA and 0.07-4.5 microg/mL for yeast RNA. The detection limits (3sigma) were 2.9 ng/mL for calf thymus DNA, 3.9 ng/mL for fish sperm DNA and 5.2 ng/mL for yeast RNA. Almost no interference could be observed from proteins, nucleosides and most of the metal ions. The proposed method showed good reliability, sensitivity, rapidity and reproducibility when applied to the determination of nucleic acids in synthetic and biochemical samples. The time savings make this method suitable for large routine analyses.     

Investigation of dual-layer membrane cloaking method by surface plasmon resonance for direct chronoamperometric immunoassay of serum sample

A "dual-layer membrane cloaking" (DLMC) method was developed to construct disposable electrochemical immunosensor for direct determination of serum sample. Mouse IgG (MIgG) molecules were firstly immobilized on a substrate. After the formation of a didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB) membrane on the MIgG modified substrate, an additional bovine serum albumin (BSA) thin layer was formed to build a BSA/DDAB dual-layer membrane (DLM). When alkaline phosphatase conjugated anti-mouse IgG antibodies (anti-MIgG-ALP) in human serum were incubated on the substrate, anti-MIgG-ALP was recognized specifically by the immobilized MIgG while all nonspecifically adsorbed proteins were selectively removed together with BSA/DDAB DLM by 5% Triton X-100 (v/v) before final measurements. The BSA/DDAB DLM was characterized and optimized by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technique, and further employed in a disposable immunoassay based on an ITO chip. Under optimal conditions, MIgG in human serum was directly detected in the range of 2.0-18.0 ng mL(-1) without dilution or separation. A limit of detection as low as 0.922 ng mL(-1) (6.15 pM) was obtained. The proposed DLMC method can efficiently prevent the penetration of matrix proteins through single cloaking membrane and completely eliminate nonspecific adsorption. It has great potential in providing a versatile way for direct determination of serum sample with ultra-sensitivity.     

Resonance light‐scattering enhancement effect of the protein–Y3+–TTA–SLS system and its analytical application

In this paper, a sensitive resonance light scattering (RLS) method for the determination of protein is reported. In the Tris–HCl (pH 7.50) buffer, protein enhanced the RLS intensity of the Y³⁺–2‐thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTA)–sodium dodecyl sulphate (SLS) system. The enhanced RLS intensities were in proportion to the concentrations of proteins in the range 8.0 × 10^?9–1.0 × 10^?5 g/mL for BSA, 1.0 × 10^–8–1.0 × 10^?5 g/mL for HSA and 1.0 × 10^–8–1.0 × 10^?6 g/mL for EA, and their detection limits were 5.0, 5.4 and 6.7 ng/mL, respectively. Actual samples were satisfactorily determined. The interaction mechanism was also studied. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Resonance Rayleigh-scattering method for the determination of proteins with gold nanoparticle probe

Gold nanoparticles with a 12-nm diameter were used as probes for the determination of proteins by resonance Rayleigh-scattering techniques. In weak acidic solution, large amounts of citrate anions will self-assemble on the surface of positively charged gold nanoparticles to form supermolecular compounds with negative charges. Below the isoelectric point, proteins with positive charges such as human serum albumin (HSA), bovine serum albumin (BSA), and ovalbumin (Ova) can bind gold nanoparticles to form larger volume products (the diameter of the binding product of gold nanoparticles with HSA is 23 nm.) through electrostatic force, hydrogen bonds, and hydrophobic effects, which can result in a red shift of the maximum absorption wavelength, the remarkable enhancement of the resonance Rayleigh-scattering intensity (RRS), and the appearance of the RRS spectra. At the same time, the second-order-scattering (SOS) and frequency-doubling-scattering (FDS) intensities are also enhanced. The binding products of gold nanoparticles with different proteins have similar spectral characteristics and the maximum wavelengths are located near 303 nm for RRS, 540 nm for SOS, and 390 for FDS, respectively. The scattering enhancement (DeltaI) is directly proportional to the concentration of proteins. Among them, the RRS method has the highest sensitivity and the detection limits are 0.38 ng/ml for HSA, 0.45 ng/ml for BSA, and 0.56 ng/ml for Ova, separately. The methods have good selectivity. A new RRS method for the determination of trace proteins using a gold nanoparticle probe has been developed. Because gold nanoparticle probes do not need to be modified chemically in advance, the method is very simple and fast.     

The Importance of Protein-Protein Interactions on the pH-Induced Conformational Changes of Bovine Serum Albumin: A Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering Study

The combined effects of concentration and pH on the conformational states of bovine serum albumin (BSA) are investigated by small-angle x-ray scattering. Serum albumins, at physiological conditions, are found at concentrations of ∼35-45 mg/mL (42 mg/mL in the case of humans). In this work, BSA at three different concentrations (10, 25, and 50 mg/mL) and pH values (2.0-9.0) have been studied. Data were analyzed by means of the Global Fitting procedure, with the protein form factor calculated from human serum albumin (HSA) crystallographic structure and the interference function described, considering repulsive and attractive interaction potentials within a random phase approximation. Small-angle x-ray scattering data show that BSA maintains its native state from pH 4.0 up to 9.0 at all investigated concentrations. A pH-dependence of the absolute net protein charge is shown and the charge number per BSA is quantified to 10(2), 8(1), 13(2), 20(2), and 26(2) for pH values 4.0, 5.4, 7.0, 8.0, and 9.0, respectively. The attractive potential diminishes as BSA concentration increases. The coexistence of monomers and dimers is observed at 50 mg/mL and pH 5.4, near the BSA isoelectric point. Samples at pH 2.0 show a different behavior, because BSA overall shape changes as a function of concentration. At 10 mg/mL, BSA is partially unfolded and a strong repulsive protein-protein interaction occurs due to the high amount of exposed charge. At 25 and 50 mg/mL, BSA undergoes some re-folding, which likely results in a molten-globule state. This work concludes by confirming that the protein concentration plays an important role on the pH-unfolded BSA state, due to a delicate compromise between interaction forces and crowding effects.