Natural cell membranes possess unique biological recognition functions, making them attractive components for constructing highly selective biosensors. However, maintaining membrane stability and biological activity after integration into artificial materials remains a major challenge. The fragile nature of biomembranes often leads to structural disruption, enzyme inactivation, and poor long-term sensing performance.
A recent study published in the Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts presents a bio-based strategy to address this challenge by using chitosan hydrogel as a stabilizing matrix for red blood cell membranes. The researchers designed a conductive composite interface in which the natural polysaccharide hydrogel provides both structural support and an appropriate microenvironment for maintaining membrane functionality.
The key innovation lies in the interaction between the positively charged chitosan network and negatively charged components on red blood cell membranes. Through electrostatic interactions, the three-dimensional hydrogel structure effectively anchors RBCMs while preserving their native fluidity and membrane-bound acetylcholinesterase (AChE) conformation. This approach addresses a long-standing difficulty in biomembrane engineering, where maintaining biological activity after immobilization is often challenging.
To improve electrical conductivity and signal transmission, the researchers introduced carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes into the hydrogel matrix. The conductive nanomaterials enhanced electron transfer pathways while maintaining the biocompatibility required for biological interfaces. The resulting composite combined the molecular recognition capability of natural membranes with the electrochemical advantages of engineered materials.
The developed biosensor demonstrated stable operation, retaining 85.8% of its original electrochemical response after seven days of continuous testing. Furthermore, the platform was successfully applied to detect organophosphate pesticides in real agricultural samples, including apples, oranges, and tomatoes, demonstrating its practical potential for food safety and environmental monitoring.
Organophosphate pesticides are widely used because of their effective insecticidal properties, but their residues can pose risks to human health due to their ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity. Conventional detection methods often face limitations related to sensitivity, signal interference, or complex operation. Electrochemical biosensing approaches provide advantages including rapid response, high specificity, and low reagent consumption, making them suitable for developing portable monitoring technologies.
By combining chitosan hydrogel, conductive nanomaterials, and functional biological membranes, this study establishes a new route for constructing stable biomimetic interfaces. The findings expand the application scope of natural polysaccharides beyond traditional biomedical and packaging fields, highlighting their potential in environmental sensing and bio-integrated functional materials.
See the article:
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobab.2026.100283
Original Source URL
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2369969826000551
Journal
Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts
Experimental study
Not applicable
Chitosan Hydrogel-Stabilized Red Blood Cell Membrane Interface for Robust Electrochemical Sensing of Environmental Contaminants
18-Jul-2026