Electrochemical immunosensor for serum parathyroid hormone using voltammetric techniques and a portable simulator

An electrochemical platform based on a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) is developed to detect parathyroid hormone (PTH). A nanocomposite of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and gold nanoparticles (AuNP) was deposited on the SPCE to immobilize antibodies and horseradish peroxidase (HRP). MWCNT improved the stability and conductivity of the immunosensor because of its good electron-transfer ability and tubular structure. The AuNP not only provided a large surface area for antibody immobilization, but it also enhanced the electrochemical signal for enzyme-linked immunosensing. Cyclic voltammetry showed both electron transfer and the effective surface area were increased on the modified electrode. The characteristics of the modified SPCE were assayed by Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and electrochemical techniques. The linear detection range of this PTH immunosensor was within 1–300 pg/ml, and the electrochemical performance was not affected by interference from protein components in human serum. After storage at 4 °C for 28 days, 85% PTH sensing ability of this immunosensor was maintained compared to the freshly prepared one using the SWV and DPV methods. The relative standard deviations of all measurements were within 3–8% for both voltammetric methods. These results indicated the developed immunosensor had good stability and reproducibility. This PTH immunosensor had a detection limit of 0.886 and 0.065 pg/ml for the differential pulse voltammetry and square wave voltammetry, respectively. We provided a quick analysis of serum PTH which might be used as an electrochemical immunosensing platform for point-of-care testing.