Abstract
We developed an inexpensive, portable platform for urea detection via electrochemistry by depositing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on a commercial glucose test strip. We modified this strip by first removing the enzymes from the surface, followed by electrodeposition of AgNPs on one channel (working electrode). The morphology of the modified test strip was characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and its electrochemical performance was evaluated via Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). We evaluated the performance of the device for urea detection via measurements of the dependency of peak currents vs the analyte concentration and from the relationship between the peak current and the square root of the scan rates. The observed linear range is 1–8 mM (corresponding to the physiological range of urea concentration in human blood), and the limit of detection (LOD) is 0.14 mM. The selectivity, reproducibility, reusability, and storage stability of the modified test strips are also reported. Additional tests were performed to validate the ability to measure urea in the presence of confounding factors such as spiked plasma and milk. The results demonstrate the potential of this simple and portable EC platform to be used in applications such as medical diagnosis and food safety.
Highlights
We developed an inexpensive, portable platform for urea detection via electrochemistry by depositing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on a commercial glucose test strip
Urea is an important biomarker for medical diagnosis[1], which is a product of the urea cycle to lower down the toxic level induced by high concentration of nitrogen compound by converting ammonium ions into urea, and will be eventually eliminated by the kidney as urine[2]
The removal is evaluated visually by observing the disappearance of the yellow color associated with the enzyme (Fig. S1)
Summary
Portable platform for urea detection via electrochemistry by depositing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on a commercial glucose test strip. There are many test strips for glucose detection commercially available made of plastic or paper substrates on which metallic layers (electrodes) are deposited for EC functionality[30]. AgNP-coated electrode showed similar oxidation and reduction peaks of ferricyanide and ferrocyanide conversion, with slightly higher peak current and peak potential, indicating a comparable electrochemical reactivity and conductivity of the modified electrode (Fig. 4A).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
