Title: Agro-industrial African oil palm residue reuse for the development of an optical biosensor based on Carbon dots for BSA detection

Biography:

Juan Pablo Arango is currently a Researcher in the GIBEC research group at EIA University in Colombia. Prior to his recent position, he was a visiting scholar in the department of Physiology at the University of Kentucky. He received his bachelor’s in biomedical engineering from EIA University in December 2018 and is currently finishing his master’s in biomedical engineering also from EIA University. He is currently the director of the Technologies for the detection of biomolecules hotbed of research in EIA University, where he hopes to involve and train undergraduate students in the research process

Abstract

The present study developed an optical biosensor based on Carbon Dots (CDots) obtained from Elaeis guineensis biochar, for the detection of a model molecule, in this case, Bovine albumin serum (BSA). The CDots had a size of 2.5 ± 0.7 nm determined through a High-Resolution Transmission Electronical Microscopy (HR-TEM), a Z potential of -56.1 ± 2.37 mV and a Quantum yield of 1.69%, with emission and excitation wavelengths of 428 and 320 nm, respectively. As a bioreceptor molecule, the anti-BSA was used and conjugated to the CDots surface using the carbodiimide method. The fluorescence of the CDots was evaluated through a fluorescence spectroscopy and posteriorly modulated using graphene oxide. Finally, the performance of the biosensor was analysed by evaluating the specificity and sensitivity, where a qualitative biosensor was obtained that detects in a range of 1000 - 10 mg / µL of BSA. With the implementation of this technology, it will contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of Colombian vulnerable populations while contributing to the closing of cycles of the oil palm industry.