On-line microdialysis system with poly(amidoamine)-encapsulated Pt nanoparticles biosensor for glutamate sensing in vivo

In this work, an amine-terminated poly (amidoamine) dendrimer containing Pt nanoparticles (PAMAM/Pt) nanocomposite was synthesized and a novel amperometric H2O2 biosensor based on PAMAM/Pt and MWCNTs was developed. The resulting film of MWCNTs/PAMAM/Pt was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and amperometric i–t curve. It demonstrates excellent electrocatalytic responses toward the reduction of H2O2 at − 200 mV (vs.SCE) without HRP participation. Immobilized with glutamate oxidase (GlutaOx), an effective glutamate biosensor, was fabricated, and the in vivo detection for glutamate was realized combining with the on-line microdialysis system. The glutamate biosensor showed good linear range from 1.0 μM to 50.0 μM with the detection limit of 0.5 μM (S/N = 3). The basal level of glutamate in the striatum of rat was detected continuously with this on-line system and was calculated to be 5.80 ± 0.12 μM (n = 3). This method was proved to be sensitive and selective and may be feasible in the further application of physiology and pathology.

Research Highlights
► We synthesize a PAMAM/Pt nanocomposite.
► MWCNTs/PAMAM/Pt is used as the catalyst for glutamate detection.
► On-line detection for glutamate is realized through microdialysis system.
► The level of glutamate in the striatum of rats is determined in vivo.