Electrochemical Sensing of Reactive Sulfur and Oxygen Species in Biological Systems

Electrochemical sensing of reactive sulfur species (RSS) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) has emerged as a pivotal approach for monitoring signalling molecules and oxidative or reductive stress in living systems. By converting chemical events at an electrode surface into measurable electrical signals, these techniques deliver high sensitivity, rapid response and minimal sample preparation. Advances in electrode design—employing nanomaterials such as two-dimensional transition-metal dichalcogenides, metal–organic frameworks and carbon-based composites—have enhanced selectivity and lowered detection limits to the nanomolar range. Amperometric, voltammetric and impedance measurements enable real-time tracking of hydrogen peroxide, superoxide, hydrogen sulfide and other transient species in cellular environments, blood plasma and microbial cultures. Integration with microfluidic platforms and wearable devices has facilitated point-of-care diagnostics and in situ monitoring, offering new insights into redox biology, disease progression and therapeutic efficacy. Key challenges remain in achieving long-term stability, anti-fouling performance and multiplexed sensing of co-existing analytes within complex biological matrices.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have demonstrated an automated microfluidic device for direct, rapid measurement of hydrogen peroxide in human blood plasma. By separating blood cells and diluting plasma in a controlled ratio, the system minimises artifactual H₂O₂ fluctuations and achieves a detection limit of 0.05 µM in under 15 minutes. Laser-induced fluorescence coupled to microfluidic handling affords high sensitivity and reproducibility across a 0–49 µM concentration range. This approach paves the way for real-time, bedside monitoring of oxidative status in healthy individuals and patients, with potential utility in cardiovascular, inflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders.

Electrochemical Sensing of Reactive Sulfur and Oxygen Species in Biological Systems publication trend

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

Technical terms

Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Chemically reactive molecules derived from molecular oxygen, including hydrogen peroxide and superoxide, involved in cellular signalling and oxidative damage.

Reactive sulfur species (RSS): Sulfur-containing signalling molecules such as hydrogen sulfide, implicated in vasodilation, neurotransmission and cytoprotection.

Amperometry: Electrochemical technique measuring current at a fixed potential proportional to analyte concentration.

Overpotential: Additional electrode potential required above the thermodynamic value to drive an electrochemical reaction.

Limit of detection (LOD): Lowest concentration of analyte that can be reliably distinguished from background noise.

Microfluidic device: Miniaturised platform integrating fluid handling and sensing elements for rapid, low-volume analyses.

References

1. Direct and rapid measurement of hydrogen peroxide in human blood using a microfluidic device. Scientific Reports (2021).
2. Facile and Affordable Design of MXene‐Co3O4‐Based Nanocomposites for Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide in Cancer Cells: Toward Portable Tool for Cancer Management. Small (2023).
3. Growth of large-scale MoS 2 nanosheets on double layered ZnCo 2 O 4 for real-time in situ H 2 S monitoring in live cells. Journal of Materials Chemistry B (2020).
4. A Novel Non-Enzymatic Electrochemical Hydrogen Peroxide Sensor Based on a Metal-Organic Framework/Carbon Nanofiber Composite. Molecules (2018).