Electrochemical Detection of Reactive Oxygen Species

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) encompass a variety of transient, highly reactive molecules—including superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radical—that play dual roles in physiological signalling and in the onset of oxidative stress–related pathologies. Electrochemical detection affords direct, real-time quantification of ROS at low concentrations, leveraging redox reactions at modified electrode interfaces. Innovations in electrode design, such as the integration of nanomaterials, enzyme mimetics and selective surface chemistries, have greatly improved sensitivity, selectivity and operational stability in complex biological and environmental matrices. Techniques such as cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy are routinely employed to characterise sensor performance, while tailored modifications—including screen-printed carbon platforms, metal-oxide composites and biomolecular recognition layers—enable discrimination among ROS subtypes. The global significance of these developments spans early disease diagnostics, monitoring of oxidative stress in cellular systems and environmental surveillance of oxidative pollutants.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have introduced a novel nanoparticle assembly that mimics manganese superoxide dismutase for selective superoxide anion detection. Silica-manganous phosphate composite nanoparticles self-assemble on electrode surfaces to yield a stable, high-surface-area interface. Electrochemical measurements reveal well-defined redox peaks corresponding to superoxide dismutation, with a linear response over physiological concentration ranges. The approach combines robust materials chemistry with facile electrode fabrication, offering a template for future biosensor and catalytic systems for ROS monitoring.

Electrochemical Detection of Reactive Oxygen Species publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in electrochemical detection of reactive oxygen species across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Reactive oxygen species: Chemically distinct molecules derived from oxygen, such as superoxide anion (O₂•–), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and hydroxyl radical (•OH), implicated in cell signalling and oxidative stress.

Cyclic voltammetry: An electrochemical technique in which the electrode potential is cyclically varied to probe redox processes, yielding current–potential curves indicative of electroactive species.

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy: A frequency-domain method that measures the impedance of an electrode interface, providing insight into charge transfer kinetics and interfacial properties.

Screen-printed carbon electrode: A low-cost, disposable electrode fabricated by printing carbon ink on a substrate, widely used for point-of-care and environmental sensors.

Biomimetic enzyme: A synthetic material or nanocomposite designed to replicate the catalytic function of natural enzymes, often improving stability and operational flexibility.

References

1. Manganese Phosphate Self-assembled Nanoparticle Surface and Its application for Superoxide Anion Detection. Scientific Reports (2016).
2. Reduced Glutathione-Modified Electrode for the Detection of Hydroxyl Free Radicals. Biosensors (2023).
3. Detection of Hydroxyl Radicals Using Cerium Oxide/Graphene Oxide Composite on Prussian Blue. Nanomaterials (2020).
4. DNA-induced synthesis of biomimetic enzyme for sensitive detection of superoxide anions released from live cell. RSC Advances (2018).