Electrochemical detection of anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody using quantum dots-doped polypyrrole-modified electrode

A nanohybrid-modified glassy carbon electrode based on conducting polypyrrole doped with carbon quantum dots (QDs) was developed and used for the electrochemical detection of anti-tissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG) antibodies. To improve the polypyrrole conductivity, carrier mobility, and carrier concentration, four types of carbon nanoparticles were tested. Furthermore, a polypyrrole-modified electrode doped with QDs was functionalized with a PAMAM dendrimer and transglutaminase 2 protein by cross-linking with N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS)/N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N′-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC). The steps of electrode surface modification were surveyed via electrochemical measurements (differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), impedance spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)). The surface characteristics were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and contact angle measurements. The obtained modified electrode exhibited good stability and repeatability. DPV between − 0.1 and 0.6 V (vs. Ag/AgCl 3 M KCl reference electrode) was used to evaluate the electrochemical alterations that occur after the antibody interacts with the antigen (transglutaminase 2 protein), for which the limit of detection was 0.79 U/mL. Without the use of a secondary label, (anti-tTG) antibodies may be detected at low concentrations because of these modified electrode features.