A sensitive sandwich-type immunosensor for the detection of galectin-3 based on N-GNRs-Fe-MOFs@AuNPs nanocomposites and a novel AuPt-methylene blue nanorod

We are presenting an electrochemical immunosensor for the determination of Galectin-3 (Gal-3), a biomarker of heart failure. A glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was modified with a film of a composite made from the N-doped graphene nanoribbons immobilized Fe-based-Metal-organic frameworks deposited with Au nanoparticles (N-GNRs-Fe-MOFs@AuNPs). Primary antibody against Gal-3 (Gal-3-Ab1) was immobilized on the Au nanoparticles on the surface of the modified GCE which then was blocked with bovine serum albumin. Signal amplification is crucial for obtaining low detection limits in biosensors. Here, a relatively simple and ultrasensitive sandwich-type electrochemical immunosensor based on novel signal generation and amplification was developed for the determination of Gal-3. A kind of novel redox-active species, AuPt-Methylene blue (MB) (AuPt-MB) nanocomposites, was synthesized by a one-pot method for the first time. Wherein, MB as a kind of the electron transfer mediators in an amperometric biosensor is responsible for electron production and signal amplification. The rod-like AuPt-MB nanohybrids displayed uniform morphology and good electrochemical activity and can combine with the second antibodies against Gal-3 (Gal-3-Ab2). And the AuPt-MB-Ab2 coupled with the N-GNRs-Fe-MOFs@AuNPs-Ab1 to form the sandwich type format that can greatly enhance the biosensor's sensitivity. Under optimal conditions, the designed immunosensor exhibited a linear concentration range from 100 fg mL−1 to 50 ng mL−1, with a low detection limit of 33.33 fg mL−1 (S/N = 3) for Gal-3 in spiked serum. Additionally, the designed immunosensor showed acceptable selectivity, reproducibility and stability. The satisfactory results in analyzing human serum samples indicated potential application promising in monitoring biomarkers.