Silk provides a new avenue for third generation biosensors: Sensitive, selective and stable electrochemical detection of nitric oxide

Using heme entrapped in recombinant silk films, we have produced 3rd generation biosensors, which allow direct electron transfer from the heme center to an electrode avoiding the need for electron mediators. Here, we demonstrate the use of these heme-silk films for the detection of nitric oxide (NO) at nanomolar levels in the presence and absence of oxygen. The sensor was prepared by drop-casting a silk solution on a glassy carbon electrode modified with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) followed by infusion with heme. The sensor was characterized by cyclic voltammetry and showed well defined and reversible Fe+/ Fe3+ redox couple activity, with NO detection by oxidation at potentials above +0.45 V or reduction at potentials below − 0.7 V. Evaluation of the effect of pH on the sensor response to NO reduction indicated a maximum response at pH 3. The sensor showed good linearity in the concentration range from 19 to 190 nM (R2 = 0.99) with a detection limit of 2 nM. The sensor had excellent selectivity towards NO with no or negligible interference from oxygen, nitrite, nitrate, dopamine and ascorbic acid and retained 86% of response after 2 months of operation and storage at room temperature.