Electrochemical Detection of Hemoglobin: A Review

Hemoglobin (Hb) is a tetrameric hemoprotein that is located in red blood cells (RBCs) and is responsible for O-2 transport in the circulatory system. Conventionally, Hb assay is a specific and sensitive indicator for the diagnosis of anemia and other related diseases. To date, various methods have been used for the analysis of Hb, and of these, electrochemical method is the simplest and reliable technique. Therefore, several approaches have been reported for the quantification of Hb, including the direct electron transfer (DET) with or without a mediator onto the electrode surface, molecular imprinted polymer (MIPs), and immunoreaction. To realize the direct electrochemistry of Hb, the modification of the electrode surface either with a mediator or catalyst to promote the redox process, which can be applied for the sensitive and selective detection of Hb. This review contains a comprehensive introduction to electrochemical Hb detection methods using modified electrode surfaces. Finally, the review gives a brief insight into the electrochemical sensing platform developed for the analysis of other type of globins such as, myoglobin and glycated hemoglobin. The objectives of this review are to summarize various electrochemical detection methods for Hb and to facilitate future development of new sensing platforms for the medical and healthcare applications.