Ultrasensitive On-Field Luminescence Detection Using a Low-Cost Silicon Photomultiplier Device.

Maria Maddalena Calabretta,Elisa Michelini,Antonia Lopreside,Marcello D’Elia,Aldo Roda,Francesco Iacoangeli,Laura Montali,Fabio Fragapane,Valerio Bocci

doi:10.1021/acs.analchem.1c00899

Abstract

The availability of portable analytical devices for on-site monitoring and rapid detection of analytes of forensic, environmental, and clinical interest is vital. We report the development of a portable device for the detection of biochemiluminescence relying on silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) technology, called LuminoSiPM, which includes a 3D printed sample holder that can be adapted for both liquid samples and paper-based biosensing. We performed a comparison of analytical performance in terms of detectability with a benchtop luminometer, a portable cooled charge-coupled device (CCD sensor), and smartphone-integrated complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensors. As model systems, we used two luciferase/luciferin systems emitting at different wavelengths using purified protein solutions: the green-emitting P. pyralis mutant Ppy-GR-TS (λmax 550 nm) and the blue-emitting NanoLuc (λmax 460 nm). A limit of detection of 9 femtomoles was obtained for NanoLuc luciferase, about 2 and 3 orders of magnitude lower than that obtained with the portable CCD camera and with the smartphone, respectively. A proof-of-principle forensic application of LuminoSiPM is provided, exploiting an origami chemiluminescent paper-based sensor for acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, showing high potential for this portable low-cost device for on-site applications with adequate sensitivity for detecting low light intensities in critical fields.

Highlights

The availability of portable analytical devices for on-site monitoring and rapid detection of analytes of forensic, environmental, and clinical interest is vital
I n recent years, with the increasing necessity to perform rapid, cheap, and sensitive on-site detection of different analytes such as environmental pollutants, pathogens, and food contaminants, researchers have sought to develop new bioanalytical tools and new portable detectors. This urgency stems from different areas spanning diagnostics to food safety and quality control, environmental monitoring, and forensic fields.[1−3] A number of portable devices and biosensors have been reported; most of them are currently at the prototype stage, and very few reached the market, with glucose sensors and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) detection devices dominating the landscape.[4−8] Among main bottlenecks that hamper commercialization and use of these devices for real life applications, the relatively high cost, inadequate sensitivity when applied to real samples, and difficulty of interfacing with electronics are surely some of the main factors.[9]
The LuminoSiPM cell was connected to the signal inlet of ArduSiPM (SMA connector); data acquired were transferred in real-time to a PC via the ArduSiPM USB port for data storing and software treatment

Summary

Technical Note

Ultrasensitive On-Field Luminescence Detection Using a Low-Cost Silicon Photomultiplier Device. Maria Maddalena Calabretta,○ Laura Montali,○ Antonia Lopreside, Fabio Fragapane, Francesco Iacoangeli, Aldo Roda, Valerio Bocci, Marcello D’Elia,* and Elisa Michelini*

■ CONCLUSION

■ ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

■ REFERENCES