Characterization of a lichen-derived chitin-rich biomaterial from Pseudevernia furfuracea as a new bio-platform for electrochemical mercury (II) analysis assisted by thymine-functionalized DNA sequences
Microchemical Journal, cilt.228, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 228
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.microc.2026.119213
- Dergi Adı: Microchemical Journal
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, Chemical Abstracts Core, Chimica, Index Islamicus, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Engineering Source (EBSCO)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: DNA base sequences, Electrochemical sensor, Lichen-derived chitin, Mercury detection, T–Hg2+–T interaction
- Ankara Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
A novel bio-platform for electrochemical mercury (II) detection was developed by isolating α-chitin from the lichen Pseudevernia furfuracea (Pf-Chit) — a renewable and underexplored biological source — through sequential acid demineralization, alkaline deproteinization, and depigmentation. Structural characterization (FT-IR, XRD, FE-SEM, and TGA) confirmed a semi-crystalline α-chitin architecture with porous lamellar morphology and high thermal stability. Pf-Chit was deposited onto a screen-printed carbon electrode and functionalized with a thymine-rich oligonucleotide ([dT]21) to exploit the highly selective T–Hg2+–T coordination chemistry. The resulting [dT]21/Pf-Chit/SPE sensor achieved an ultralow detection limit of 0.002 pM with a linear range of 0.006–60.0 pM, excellent reproducibility (RSD < 2%), and strong anti-interference capability against physiologically relevant ions. Spike-recovery experiments in synthetic saliva yielded 101.26 ± 1.02% (n = 3), validating its reliability for biological mercury monitoring. Unlike conventional nanomaterial-based platforms, this sensor offers a cost-effective, eco-friendly, and scalable alternative without compromising sensitivity or selectivity. These findings establish lichen-derived chitin as a versatile and sustainable sensing scaffold and demonstrate that this sensing strategy can be extended to detect other toxic heavy metal ions, such as Pb2+ and Cd2+.