Electrochemical assay for saccharide–protein interactions using glycopolymer-modified gold nanoparticles

A novel recognition element, made of electroactive glycopolymer-modified gold nanoparticles (GM-GNPs), was synthesized and used in an electrochemical assay of saccharide–protein interactions for the detection of concanavalin A (Con A). The electroactivity of the mannose-based GM-GNPs was investigated, and an electrochemical Con A assay system with a disposable screen printed carbon strips was proposed. A complex containing GM-GNPs was formed by a recognition reaction between the mannose-based glycopolymer and Con A. The complex was detected by the pre-oxidation of the GNPs and following reduction scans using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Under optimal conditions, a linear relationship between the DPV peak current intensity and Con A concentration was shown within an analytical range of 10–10,000 ng/mL. Our proposed new electric approach provides an interesting tool for the analysis of saccharide–protein interactions.

Research Highlights
► The electrochemical assay system of saccharide-protein interactions was proposed.
► Electroactivity of the glycopolymer-modified gold nanoparticles was investigated.
► This gold nanoparticles could be detected using pre-oxidation and reduction scan.
► The quantitative detection of Concanavalin A using this approach was succeeded.