Electrochemical sensors for hemoglobin and myoglobin detection based on methylene blue-multiwalled carbon nanotubes nanohybrid-modified glassy carbon electrode

An effective electrochemical sensors for hemoglobin (Hb) and myoglobin (Mb) detection was firstly developed using a simple procedure of self-assembled methylene blue-multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MB-MWNTs) nanohybrid modified on glassy carbon electrode without using any enzymes immobilization. The direct electrochemical and electrocatalytic behaviors of the modified electrode were studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and flow injection analysis (FIA) with amperometry. The performance of the sensor was investigated and optimized and the system was evaluated by monitoring Hb and Mb concentrations. The developed MB-MWNTs nanohybrid modified electrode showed excellent electrocatalytic activity for reduction of Hb and Mb with good stability, sensitivity and reproducibility (RSD = 3.05% and 4.5% for 50 successive injections of Hb and Mb, respectively). Under optimal conditions, the catalytic currents are linearly proportional to the concentrations of Hb and Mb in the wide range from 5 nM to 2 mu M and 0.1 to 3 mu M, and the corresponding detection limits are 1.5 nM and 20 nM (S/N = 3), respectively. This approach provides improved detection limit over other previous works and may provide a novel and efficient platform for the fabrication of sensors for other heme proteins. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.