Electrochemical Biosensor Using Nitrogen-Doped Graphene/Au Nanoparticles/DNAzyme for Ca(2+) Determination

An electrochemical biosensor for detecting Ca(2+) concentration was proposed using glass carbon electrodes (GCEs) modified with nitrogen-doped graphene (NGR), gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and DNAzyme. The resistance signal was amplified through two methods: electrochemical reduction of AuNPs on the NGR surface to increase the specific surface area of the electrode and strengthen the adsorption of DNAzyme; and increasement of the DNAzyme base sequence. The process of electrode modification was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Experimental parameters’ influence, such as the deposition time of gold nanoparticles and the detection time, were assessed by electrochemical methods. The linear ranges of the electrochemical biosensor were in the range from 5 × 10(−6) to 5 × 10(−5) and 5 × 10(−5) to 4 × 10(−4) M, with a detection limit of 3.8 × 10(−6) M. The concentration of Ca(2+) in the serum of dairy cows was determined by the biosensor with satisfactory results, which could be potentially used to diagnose subclinical hypocalcemia.