Antibody coated conductive polymer for the electrochemical immunosensing of Human Cardiac Troponin I in blood plasma

Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is a sensitive biomarker for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Rapid determination of cTnI concentration in blood can greatly reduce the potential of significant heart damage and heart failure. Herein, we demonstrate a new electrochemical immunosensor for selective affinity binding and rapid detection of cTnI in blood plasma by an electrochemical method. A conductive film of “poly 2,5-bis(2-thienyl)3,4-diamine-terthiophene (PDATT)” was deposited onto an Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) electrode using chronoamperometry. Anti-cardiac troponin I antibody was then attached to the two amine (NH2) groups substituted on the central thiophene of terthiophene repeating unit of the polymer chain via amide bond formation. The gaps on the surface of the antibody coated immunosensor were backfilled with bovine serum albumin (BSA) to prevent nonspecific binding of interfering molecules. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was used to determine cTnI upon the formation of cTnI immunocomplex on the sensing surface, appearing a peak at 0.27 V. The response range was 0.01–100 ng mL−1 with limit of quantification down to 0.01 ng mL−1. The developed immunosensor was used to determine cTnI in spiked blood plasma without interference from cardiac troponin T (cTnT). Therefore, this new sensor can be utilised for the detection of cTnI biomarker in pathological laboratories and points of care in less than 15 min. [Display omitted] •Efficient chronoamperometry method to develop continuous conductive polymer film.•Sensitive immunosensor for the extraction and detection of cardiac troponin I by DPV.•The new immunosensor is highly selective towards cardiac troponin I over troponin T.•The sensor has a low LOQ (0.01 ng mL−1), and good reproducibility (3.7%) for cTnI.•The new sensor is rapid and can screen cardiac troponin I in blood plasma in 15 min.