Multimode Microsensors Based on Carbon Matrices Used for the Assay of IL-6 in Whole Blood Samples

Abstract

High levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) are associated with different diseases like prostate cancer, breast cancer, stress, cardiovascular diseases and obesity. Therefore, a fast and simple method of screening of IL-6 is needed to early diagnose these diseases and reduce mortality rate. Multimode microsensors (microsensors that can operate in both stochastic and differential pulse voltammetry modes) based on carbon matrices, such as graphite, graphene, fullerene (C60) and multiwall carbon nanotubes modified with maltodextrin were designed for the assay of IL-6 in whole blood samples. Multimode sensing is a good alternative for classic methods because it provides quantitative (response obtained in both stochastic and DPV mode) and qualitative analysis (response obtained in stochastic mode) in short time (6 min), with no sampling pretreatment. The lowest limit of determination (10 fg/mL) was recorded using the multimode microsensor based on MD and fullerene (C60) in stochastic mode.