Development of an Electrochemical Biosensor for the Rapid Detection of Saxitoxin Based on Air Stable Lipid Films with Incorporated Anti-STX Using Graphene Electrodes

A miniaturized potentiometric saxitoxin sensor on graphene nanosheets with incorporated lipid films and Anti-STX, the natural saxitoxin receptor, immobilized on the stabilized lipid films is described in the present paper. An adequate selectivity for detection over a wide range of toxin concentrations, fast response time of ca. 5-20min, and detection limit of 1 nM have been achieved. The proposed sensor is easy to construct and exhibits good reproducibility, reusability, selectivity, long shelf life and high sensitivity of ca. 60 mV/decade of toxin concentration. The method was implemented and evaluated in lake water and shellfish samples. This novel ultrathin film technology is currently adapted to the rapid detection of other toxins that could be used in bioterrorism.