Microdroplet based disposable sensor patch for detection of α-amylase in human blood serum

Bhattacharjee, M. , Middya, S., Escobedo, P. , Chaudhuri, J., Bandyopadhyay, D. and Dahiya, R. (2020) Microdroplet based disposable sensor patch for detection of α-amylase in human blood serum. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 165, 112333. (doi: 10.1016/j.bios.2020.112333)

Abstract

Concentration of α-amylase in human serum is a key indicator of various pancreatic ailments and an affordable point-of-care detection of this biomarker can benefit millions suffering from these diseases. In view of this situation, we report the development of a flexible patch-sensor, which simply requires a microdroplet of aqueous starch-FeSO4 solution to detect α-amylase in serum. The detection is achieved through the generation of mixing vortices (∼12 rpm) inside the droplet with the help of an imposed thermal gradient. Such vortices due to Marangoni and natural convections are found to be strongest at an optimal temperature difference of ∼18 °C – 23 °C across the droplet which in turn facilitate mixing and promote the specific starch-amylase enzymatic reaction. Subsequently, the large (∼80%) variation in the electrical resistance across the droplet is correlated to detect the level of the α-amylase in the analyte. Importantly, the sensor can detect even in the limits of 15–110 units/liter. Further, the sensitivity of flexible sensors is ∼8.6% higher than the non-flexible one. Interestingly, the sensitivity of the proposed sensor has been nearly three-times than the previously reported optical ones. The results of patch-sensor match very closely with the standard path-lab tests while detecting unknown level of amylase in serum. The prototype has shown significant potential to translate into an affordable device for the real-time detection and easy prognosis of pancreatic disorders.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Escobedo, Dr Pablo and Bhattacharjee, Mr Mitradip and Dahiya, Professor Ravinder

Creator Roles

Bhattacharjee, M.: Conceptualization, Investigation, Data curation, Methodology, Formal analysis, Writing – original draft
Escobedo, P.: Investigation, Data curation, Methodology, Writing – original draft
Dahiya, R.: Conceptualization, Formal analysis, Funding acquisition, Supervision, Writing – original draft

• Authors: Bhattacharjee, M., Middya, S., Escobedo, P., Chaudhuri, J., Bandyopadhyay, D., and Dahiya, R.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering
• Journal Name: Biosensors and Bioelectronics
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0956-5663
• ISSN (Online): 1873-4235
• Published Online: 11 June 2020
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V.
• First Published: First published in Biosensors and Bioelectronics 165: 112333
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
301728		Engineering Fellowships for Growth: Printed Tactile SKIN	Ravinder Dahiya	Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)	EP/R029644/1	ENG - Electronics & Nanoscale Engineering
170185		Engineering Fellowships for Growth: Printed Tactile SKIN	Ravinder Dahiya	Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)	EP/M002527/1	ENG - Electronics & Nanoscale Engineering