Analytical evaluation of sensor measurements
Introduction
Teaching about sensors requires references to analytical definitions, and a discussion of sensor principles combined with detection principles, the process of sensor interaction with the analyte, and data treatment. Some aspects of teaching analytical terms have been discussed recently [1]. Formerly, scientists developing and applying sensors did not use terms of fundamental analytics as defined in the Compendium of Analytical Nomenclature (“Orange Book”), but defined new terms for sensor properties [2]. However, in recent years even sensor journals have been increasingly asking authors to use the correct analytical terms for the characterization of sensor properties. Accordingly, modern sensor teaching must provide the correct definitions for the limit of detection (LOD), the limit of quantification (LOQ), sensitivity, selectivity, and reproducibility. In this context, special note should be taken of the frequent misuse of the term “sensitivity”—this term defines the slope of the calibration curve with unit signal/concentration. In the case of biosensing, especially the calculation of confidence intervals and the determination of LODs depend on correct use of analytical terms. Furthermore, the terms “detectivity,” “sensitivity,” and “limit of detection” are sometimes used interchangeably.
Accordingly, any course teaching sensors must either refer to lectures in analytical chemistry or take the time to introduce students to the fundamentals of analytical chemistry and statistics. Sensors can be considered a “hyphenated technique,” since they combine separation (where in contrast to chromatography the polymer gives just one theoretical plate or the recognition element offers specific interaction in contrast to nonspecific interaction) with detection. Thus, all analytical basics used in quantities of analytical chemistry, quality assurance, and chemometrics [3] must be dealt with in lectures teaching sensors. In addition, transport processes, fluidics, molecular interaction equilibria and dynamics, and detection principles (ranging from calorimetric, mass dependent, electronic, and electrochemical to optical) have to be discussed with respect to the analytical problem. This broad field certainly has to rely on topics taught also in other areas of chemistry and physics. Nevertheless, a sensor course has to bring all these topics together and give students an insight into the interdisciplinary context. Therefore, in this article based on optical sensors, most of these aspects are covered.
Sensor principles
Sensor principle: the sensor system contains control and evaluation, transducer, receptor with recognition and fluidics
The sensitive layer influences the stability, reversibility, sensitivity, and selectivity of a sensor system. Low selective layers require additional statistical treatment (e.g., use of neuronal networks). MIP molecularly imprinted polymer
Some detection principles used in chemosensors and biosensors
| Electrochemical | Conductometric Impedimetric Potentiometric Amperometric Voltammetric Field-effect transistors | Optical Refractometric | Optical fibers, end fiber coupling Grating couplers Photonic crystals Bragg gratings Resonant mirror Surface plasmon resonance Mach–Zehnder interferometer Young interferometer Ring resonators |
| Scattering | Back scattering Raman scattering Surface-enhanced Raman scattering | Optical Reflectometric | Ellipsometry Reflectometric interference spectroscopy |
| Mass sensitive | Bulk shear mode microbalances Surface acoustic waves Rayleigh surface acoustic wave Gravimetric | Thermal | Calorimetric Thermal conductivity detectors Catalytic Thermoelectric Pyroelectric |
| Combination | Electrochemical–optical |
In this article the focus is on optical detection. The examples of measurement results are given for the detection method of reflectometric interference spectroscopy, which is based on white-light interference of visible radiation reflected on both interfaces of a layer. The shift of the resulting interference spectrum is caused by changes of the optical thickness of this layer (refractive index × physical thickness) either by sorption of molecules with accompanied swelling of a polymer or by affinity reaction at one of the interfaces of the layer [7].
Chemical sensors
Calibration of some hydrocarbons for functionalized polydimethylsiloxane as the sensitive layer. DCE dichloroethene, DCM dichloromethane, TCE tetrachloroethene, TOL toluene
Random calibration for mixtures of three analytes. The amounts of the analytes are given on the graph. DCE dichloroethene, DCM dichloromethane, TCE tetrachloroethene, TOL toluene
For three sensitive layers of hyperbranched polymers the response times are given for two analytes. These data can be used for chemometric evaluation
For some years biomimetic sensitive layers are used. They are more inert than biomolecular recognition layers and somewhat more selective. Many articles have been published introducing a large variety of molecularly imprinted polymers. The “analyte” is copolymerized and afterward eluted. The “cavity” produced interacts more or less selectively with the sample. The disadvantage is that an inflexible polymer matrix increases the response time drastically, and flexible polymers lose their memory for the imprinted analyte. For this reason, the polymerization processes are changed to emulsion control forming nanobeads which combine good imprinting with good accessibility [13].
Biosensors
Layer system for a biosensor including the shielding layer
Examples of recognition elements
| Polymers | Functionalized polymers Molecularly imprinted polymers Membranes |
| Biolayers as recognition structures | Antigen–antibody DNA–DNA Peptide–protein Protein–protein Small ligands–protein Membranes |
| Biomimetic | Scaffolds Aptamers Membrane-like structures |
Frequently, sandwich assays are used. One recognition element is immobilized on the layer. It selects the analyte. A second recognition element forms the sandwich and increases selectivity, since the analyte has to fit to two recognition sites. However, small analytes cannot provide two different interaction sites for recognition elements for the sandwich assays. The so-called binding inhibition assay allows one to determine even small analyte molecules.
Processes during a binding inhibition assay
Determination of rate constants of interaction processes (adsorption/association, desorption/dissociation)
Overall, the total process forms a consecutive reaction where the rate-determining step is given by either a very slow diffusion process or the kinetics of the interaction at the transducer surface. Poor loading of analyte derivatives at the surface causes each transported nonblocked antibody to interact; thus the transport process is the rate-determining step, which results in rather linear slopes in the binding curve over a long time. If, on the other hand, the loading is rather high, this will result in typical binding curves as shown in Fig. 8, and the kinetics of interaction determine the rate.
- 1.
The first approach uses the three diagrams in Fig. 8, where four concentrations are measured at many times. The slopes of the binding curves at many times are taken and are graphed in the second diagram (diagram on the left of Fig. 8) to form more or less linear lines for each concentration. The slope of these lines is taken and forms a straight line in the third diagram (diagram at the bottom of Fig. 8), which provides the association rate constant as the slope. Unfortunately, the abscissa representing the dissociation rate constant cannot be determined very well by these means. The dissociation rate constant has to be calculated from the first-order disassociation rate equation according to the data obtained in the diagram at the top right of Fig. 8. In this figure, Γ is the quantitative result of the interaction process measured at the surface. This amount changes over time according to the observed rate constant k s and the amount of antibodies at the surface in equilibrium. The maximum possible equilibrium is given by Γ max.
- 2.
The second approach is curve fitting to the binding curve by Eq. 1:
A further discussion of the biomolecular interaction analysis with limits of and comments regarding black box programs can found in [18, 20, 21, 22].
Measurement of diclofenac in milk: (calibration with confidence interval and error bars (left); recovery rates within the range 70–120% (right)
Signal and concentration axis with calibration curve and confidence interval giving the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ)
Sigmoid calibration in the case of immunoreactions with the minimum detectable concentration (MDC) and the reliable detection limit (RDL). LOD limit of detection
Another typical application of a biosensor is the combined measurement of CRP and anti-Salmonella antibodies in animal samples to allow parallel detection of Salmonella infections and of the status of the infections by quantifying CRP [29]. Two different assay types are used in parallel on one optical platform. The measurement of real samples is of interest. Recently, applications in various fields have been reviewed: sensors in in-line sensor monitoring in bioprocesses [30]; the concept of and first results for nanosensors for neurotransmitters [31]; and a noninvasive method for cancer diagnostics by detection of volatile organic compounds in exhaled breath, demonstrating the future prospects of sensors [32]. Recently, sensors have proven their capabilities even in effect-directed analysis [33] and imaging [34].
Conclusion
Teaching about sensors requires teaching the fundamentals of analytics and careful use of the definitions given. Special care regarding the calculation of LODs has been taken for the nonlinear (sigmoidal) calibration curves in the case of biosensors. Sensitivity is the slope of the calibration curve. Evaluation of sensor arrays requires multicomponent analysis.
The field of sensors is interdisciplinary, and combines detection principles, interaction processes, and chemometrics. Especially, biosensors are being used increasingly in environmental monitoring, food control, pharmaceutical screening, process control, biotechnology, and homeland security. Sensors are usually applied directly to the sample without sample preparation—this makes them useful in complex matrices such as wastewater, foot creams, and blood. Both measurement without sample preparation and complex matrices make measurements difficult. However, special tailoring of the surfaces allows one to obtain data that have the quality necessary for analytical and statistical treatment. These matrices make evaluation more difficult.
The same quality of data evaluation is expected as in analytics. Requirements of quality management become obvious when sensors are used in point-of-care instrumentation, where the high standard of analytics is required. This demonstrates that sensors are just a type of instrumentation in analytics.
Notes
Compliance with ethical standards
Conflict of interest
The author declares that he has no competing interests.
References
- 1.Stone CD. Should students be graded on accuracy and precision? Assessment practices in analytical chemical education. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2017;409(7):1719–24.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- 2.IUPAC. Compendium of analytical nomenclature (orange book). 2002. http://media.iupac.org/publications/analytical_compendium/.
- 3.Brereton RG, Jansen J, Lopes J, Marini F, Pomerantsev A, Rodionova O, et al. Chemometrics in analytical chemistry—part I: history, experimental design and data analysis tools. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2017;409(25):5891–99.Google Scholar
- 4.Barsan N, Gauglitz G, Oprea A, Ostertag E, Proll G, Rebner K, et al. Chemical and biochemical sensors, 1. Fundamentals. Ullmann's encyclopedia of industrial chemistry. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH; 2016. p. 1–81.Google Scholar
- 5.Bӑnicӑ FG. Chemical sensors and biosensors: fundamentals and applications. Chichester: Wiley; 2012.Google Scholar
- 6.Fraden J. Handbook of modern sensors - physics, designs, and applications. New York: Springer; 2016.Google Scholar
- 7.Gauglitz G. Direct optical detection in bioanalysis: an update. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2010;398(6):2363–72.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- 8.Dieterle F, Kieser B, Gauglitz G. Genetic algorithms and neural networks for the quantitative analysis of ternary mixtures using surface plasmon resonance. Chemom Intel Lab. 2003;65:67–81.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- 9.Kraus G, Weimar U, Gauglitz G, Göpel W. Mustererkennung und Multikomponentenanalyse bei chemischen Sensoren. Tech Mess. 1995;62:229–36.Google Scholar
- 10.Kraus G, Gauglitz G. Optical reflectometric gas sensing: pattern recognition techniques applied to RIfS sensor signals. Chemom Intel Lab. 1995;30:211–21.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- 11.Dieterle F, Busche S, Gauglitz G. Different approaches to multivariate calibration of nonlinear sensor data. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2004;380(3):383–96.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- 12.Bodenhöfer K, Hierlemann A, Seemann J, Gauglitz G, Christian B, Koppenhoefer B, et al. Chiral discrimination in the gas phase using different transducers: thickness shear mode resonators and reflectometric interference spectroscopy. Anal Chem. 1997;69:3058–68.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- 13.Kolarov F, Niedergall K, Bach M, Tovar GEM, Gauglitz G. Optical sensors with molecularly imprinted nanospheres: a promising approach for robust and label free detection of small molecules. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2012;402(10):3245–52.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- 14.Mehne J, Markovic G, Pröll F, Schweizer N, Zorn S, Schreiber F, et al. Characterisation of morphology of self-assembled PEG monolayers: a comparison of mixed and pure coatings for biosensor applications. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2008;391(5):1783–91.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- 15.Proll G, Gauglitz G. On-site analysis. In: Popp J, Tuchin VV, Chiou A, Heinemann A, editors. Handbook of biophotonics. Volume 3: photonics in pharmaceutics, bioanalysis and environmental research. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH; 2012. p. 141–72.Google Scholar
- 16.Proll G, Ehni M. Immunoassays. In: Gauglitz G, Moore DS, editors. Handbook of Spectroscopy, vol. 3. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH; 2014. p. 1313–33.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- 17.Ewald M. Entwicklung und Charakterisierung einer portable Biosensorplattform zur markierungsfreien Mulit-Analyt-Bestimmung. Dissertation 2014.Google Scholar
- 18.Ewald M, Le Blanc AF, Gauglitz G, Proll G. A robust sensor platform for label-free detection of anti-Salmonella antibodies using undiluted animal sera. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2013;405(20):6461–9.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- 19.Piehler J. Modifizierung von Oberflächen für die thermodynamische und kinetische Charakterisierung biomolekularer Erkennung mit optischen Transducern. Dissertation, University of Tübingen, 1997.Google Scholar
- 20.Eddowes MJ. Direct immunochemical sensing: basic chemical principles and fundamental limitations. Biosensors. 1987;3(1):1–15.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- 21.O’Shannessy DJ. Determination of kinetic rate and equilibrium, binding constants for macromolecular interactions: a critique of the surface plasmon resonance literature. Curr Opin Biotechnol. 1994;1:65–71.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- 22.Edwards DA. Refining the measurements of rate constants in the BIAcore. J Math Biol. 2004;49:272–92. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00285-004-0270-x.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- 23.Rau S, Hilbig U, Gauglitz G. Label-free optical biosensor for detection and quantification of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac in milk without any sample pretreatment. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2014;406(14):3377–86.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- 24.Lohninger H. Grundlagen der Statistik: Erfassungsgrenze (2012). http://www.statistics4u.info/fundstat_germ/ee_reg_limit.html.
- 25.ChemgaPedia. Nachweisgrenze, Erfassungsgrenze, Bestimmungsgrenze. http://www.chemgapedia.de/vsengine/vlu/vsc/de/ch/16/bbz/bbz_addin.vlu/Page/vsc/de/ch/16/bbz/bbz_addin_nachweis.vscml/Supplement/2.html. Accessed 18 June 2017.
- 26.Hanser Verlag. Erfassungsgrenze (critical value of the net state variable) (2011). https://www.qz-online.de/service/qm-glossar/artikel/erfassungsgrenze-critical-value-of-the-net-state-variable-157299.html. Accessed 20 July 2017.
- 27.O’Connell M, Belanger BA, Haaland PD. Calibration and assay development using the four-parameter logistic model. Chemom Intel Lab Syst. 1993;20:97–114.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- 28.Fernández-Ramos MD, Cuadros-Rodríguez L, Arroyo-Guerrero E, Capitán-Vallvey LF. An IUPAC-based approach to estimate the detection limit in co-extraction-based optical sensors for anions with sigmoidal response calibration curves. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2011;401(9):2881–9.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- 29.Ewald M, Fechner P, Gauglitz G. A multi-analyte biosensor for the simultaneous label-free detection of pathogens and biomarkers in point-of-need animal testing. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2015;407(14):4005–13.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- 30.Claßen J, Aupert F, Reardon KF, Solle D, Scheper T. Spectroscopic sensors for in-line bioprocess monitoring in research and pharmaceutical industrial application. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2017;409(3):651–66.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- 31.Polo E, Kruss S. Nanosensors for neurotransmitters. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2016;408(11):2727–41.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- 32.Sun XH, Shao K, Wang T. Detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from exhaled, breath as noninvasive methods for cancer diagnosis. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2016;408(11):2759–80.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- 33.Gauglitz G. ABC Spotlight on effect directed analysis – dose instead of concentration. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2015;407(12):3261–3.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- 34.Schwarz B. Kinetische Analyse von Peptidarrays mittels bildgebender Reflektometrischer Interferenzspektroskopie. Dissertation, University of Tübingen, 2015.Google Scholar










