Electrochemical capacitance spectroscopy based determination of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 virus spike protein

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2023-12, Vol.903, p.166447-166447, Article 166447
• Main Authors: Reinikovaite, Viktorija, Matulevicius, Matas, Elsakova, Alexandra, Drobysh, Maryia, Liustrovaite, Viktorija, Luksa, Algirdas, Jafarov, Ali, Slibinskas, Rimantas, Ramanavicius, Arunas, Baradoke, Ausra
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (anti-rS); Antigen-antibody interaction; Biosensing platform; COVID-19; Electrochemical capacitance spectroscopy (ECS); Electrochemical immunosensor; Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS); Label-free detection; Screen-printed carbon electrode
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166447

In this study, we are reporting a novel electrochemical capacitance spectroscopy (ECS) platform designed for the sensitive and label-free detection of antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus spike protein (anti-rS) in diluted blood serum. The determination of anti-rS is crucial for identification individuals who have been infected by SARS-CoV-2 virus and may have acquired immunity. The rS protein was immobilized on a screen-printed carbon electrode, which was incubated in diluted blood serum containing anti-rS antibodies. Label-free ECS was applied for the determination of interaction between immobilized rS and free-standing anti-rS. Here reported bioanalytical platform demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity in detecting anti-rS, achieving a limit of detection of 4.38 nM. This versatile platform could be further enhanced by applying various electrode materials and adapting this platform to detect antibodies against some other proteins. Our findings have significant implications for the development of affordable, scalable biosensing platforms capable to provide rapid and accurate public health screening and monitoring, particularly in the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. [Display omitted] •SARS-CoV-2 virus spike protein (rS) was immobilized on screen-printed carbon.•Electrochemical system for the determination of antibodies against rS (anti-rS) was designed.•Electrochemical capacitance spectroscopy (ECS) was used for signal registration.•Changes of double layer capacitance were assessed as analytical signals.•Anti-rS concentrations were determined at physiological level.