Nanotubes sniff out cocaine

Researchers from Spain have developed antibody-coated nanoparticles capable of detecting bioanalysts indicating drug addiction
NanometerRamón Alvarez-Puebla and colleagues from the University of Vigo bound specific antibodies to the main metabolite of cocaine, benzoylecgonine, to the surface of silver nanoparticles deposited on a matrix of carbon nanotubes.

Then they placed the resulting systems in a solution with benzoyl-argonin, which formed a complex with antibodies and caused changes in the entire system. Researchers have shown that structural changes and the concentration of the metabolite can be determined using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy [surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)]).

The author notes that the analysis can be carried out in biological fluids, such as saliva or urine. With its help, it is possible to determine not only the presence of a drug in the body, but also the amount of the dose. The Spanish researcher suggests that the method will also be useful for biomarkers corresponding to diseases.

Alvarez-Puebla emphasizes the advantages of his method: for currently existing analytical techniques that use SERS spectroscopy, preparatory stages are usually required, such as the introduction of special labels into the sample that give a signal in the presence of molecules of interest, the new method does not require preliminary sample preparation, but its sensitivity is comparable to the sensitivity of existing methods.

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru02.09.2009