Microfluidics based Paper Analytical Devices, commonly known as μPADs, have revolutionized the analytical diagnostic platforms towards the development of affordable, portable, and point-of-care diagnostics. Most of them employed colorimetric assay for the detection of biomolecules. The disadvantage with this method is loss of resolution and sensitivity. However, the applications of nanotechnology have improved the performance of these devices. By interfacing with nanoparticle, μPADs showed the significant improvement in the detection sensitivity and reproducibility. Being electrically conductive and non-toxic, Graphene Quantum Dots (GQDs) are considered to be the suitable candidate to develop nanoparticle enhanced μPADs for the sensing of biomolecule like glucose. We propose a microfluidics based paper analytical device with GQDs as its working electrode to detect the concentration of glucose in urine sample. GQDs are synthesized from the bird charcoal using the top-down approach. The principle of operation of the device is based on the electrochemical reaction between enzyme, glucose oxidase and the test analyte, glucose. The proposed device has a microfluidic paper channel into which the enzyme is pre-adsorbed and is in conformal contact with the electrodes. Through the introduction of urine sample to the paper channel, sample reacts with enzyme and generates ions through a two-step reaction. These ions are detected by the electrodes and the response is monitored. Depending upon the output response, the glucose level in the urine is estimated. In addition, the current detection methods of glucose involve the usage of blood as the test analyte because the level of glucose in blood is relatively higher than urine. GQDs being electrically sensitive, meaningful results can be obtained from the urine sample itself. In conclusion, affordable and efficient point of care diagnostics can be developed using paper microfluidics and nanotechnology to detect the level of glucose in urine.

Graphene quantum dots enhanced microfluidics based paper analytical device (μpads) for glucose detection

251st National Meeting (2016)

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