Essential aspects in the design of electrochemical biosensors: mini review

Abstract

An electrochemical biosensor is a self-contained integrated device, which is capable of providing specific quantitative or semiquantitative analytical information using a biological recognition element (biochemical receptor) which is retained in direct spatial contact with an electrochemical transduction element.1 Figure 1 There are many variants that can be used in the design of a biosensor. From the choice of the type of electrochemical transduction,2,3 in correspondence with the analytical signal (), taking into account the molecular recognition element4 and the effective immobilization of it on the transducer material.4 Thus, how to choose that configuration is what guarantees a useful signal. The selection of the most favorable conformation follows the performance criteria: calibration characteristics (sensitivity, operational and linear concentration range, detection and quantitative determination limits), selectivity, steadystate and transient response times, sample throughput, reproducibility, stability and lifetime.1 Electrochemical transduction or detection: The electrochemical biosensors depending on the type of electrochemical transduction can be conduct metric,5 potentiometric,6 voltammetric / amperometric,7 impedance, Ion charge or field effect.8