Abstract
The gastric colonization of human hosts by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) increases the risk of developing gastritis, ulcers and gastric cancer. To detect H. pylori, a nanohybrid-based BabA immunosensor is developed herein. BabA is an outer membrane protein and one of the major virulence factors of H. pylori. To design the immunosensor, an Au electrode is loaded with palladium nanoparticles (Pd(nano)) by electrodeposition to generate reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT). The immobilization of these nanostructured materials imparts a large surface area and electroconductivity to bio-immune-sensing molecules (here, the BabA antigen and antibodies). After optimization, the fabricated immunosensor has the ability to detect antigens (H. pylori) in a linear range from 0.2 to 20 ng/mL with a low LOD (0.2 ng/mL). The developed immunosensor is highly specific, sensitive and reproducible. Additionally, in silico methods were employed to better understand the hybrid nanomaterials of the fabricated Pd(nano)/rGO/PEDOT/Au electrode. Simulations performed by molecular docking, and Metropolis Monte Carlo adsorption studies were conducted. The results revealed that the hybrid nanomaterials exhibit a stable antigen-antibody complex of BabA, yielding the lowest binding energy in relation to the electrode materials, emphasizing the functionality of the constructed electrodes in the electrochemical immunosensor.