Biomolecules in electrochemical sensing: A concise overview and recent advances in two key analytical fields

Year 2025, Volume: 2 Issue: 2, 5 - 17, 29.12.2025

Rebeca Rosas , Javier Ernesto Vilasó Cadre , Humberto Montaño Tello , Iván Alejandro Reyes-Domínguez , Juan Santiago Hidalgo Viteri , Yajaira Estefanía Trujillo Arcos

Abstract

Electrochemical biosensors are electroanalytical sensors that use biomolecules as recognition elements. These devices can be constructed using enzymes, nucleic acids, aptamers, pili, and other biomolecules. Unlike sensors based on nanomaterials, biosensors can be highly specific due to the nature of the interactions that enable recognition and sensing. These interactions are specific due to the chemical composition and three-dimensional structure. Biosensors are a rapidly growing field within modern electroanalysis closely related to clinical analysis and environmental pollution control. These are two fields in which biosensors are widely used, given the complex nature of the samples, which makes interfering species likely. Biosensors are a promising tool for early diagnosis of neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases as well as for quantifying heavy metals and pesticides in water and soil. The latter is closely related to mining, metallurgy, and agriculture. In general, biosensors show promise for point-of-care diagnosis and for achieving sustainable development goals related to clean ecosystems and sustainable industry. This paper presents a concise overview of the nature of the main biomolecules used in electrochemical biosensing and some recent advances in the fields of clinical diagnostics and environmental pollutant detection. This paper is intended to serve as a quick and up-to-date guide on the development of biosensors for two of the most important fields of application of analytical chemistry.

Keywords

enzyme , aptamer , antibody , biosensor , electrochemistry , clinical samples , environmental samples

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