Development and validation of a platform based on 3D stochastic sensors for fast screening of whole blood and brain tissue for brain cancer

Abstract

A novel stochastic platform was assembled by integrating a sensor based on single-wall carbon nanotube paste and ZnO modified with (Z)-N-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl) ethyl] octadec-9-enamide for the enantioanalysis of two amino acids in whole blood and brain tissue tumor samples. The stochastic platform was utilized to obtain wide concentration ranges for the L-tryptophan, D-tryptophan, L-glutamine, and D-glutamine. The reported sensitivities for both isomers of glutamine exhibited a comparable magnitude order of 107. In contrast, among the four enantiomers, D-Trp displayed the highest sensitivity, measuring at 4.43 × 108. The limits of quantification were in the order of 1.00 × 10−18 mol•L−1. The efficacy of the platform was demonstrated through successful testing on biological samples. The advantages of using this type of platform for such analysis are the possibility of identifying and quantifying in one run different types of biomarkers as well as other substances of biological importance usually requested by medical doctors to be quantified, which can take the test from a fast-screening method to a fast diagnostic method. The analysis is performed within minutes, which is very important for illnesses such as brain cancer that can develop quickly in the body. The early detection of brain tumors can save lives. Furthermore, the portability of the developed detection technology makes it suitable for on-site analysis.