Orawon Chailapakul

Electrochemical Detection for Paper-Based Microfluidics

We report the first demonstration of electrochemical detection for paper-based microfluidic devices. Photolithography was used to make microfluidic channels on filter paper, and screen-printing technology was used to fabricate electrodes on the paper-based microfluidic devices. Screen-printed electrodes on paper were characterized using cyclic voltammetry to demonstrate the basic electrochemical performance of the system. The utility of our devices was then demonstrated with the determination of glucose, lactate, and uric acid in biological samples using oxidase enzyme (glucose oxidase, lactate oxidase, and uricase, respectively) reactions. Oxidase enzyme reactions produce H2O2 while decomposing their respective substrates, and therefore a single electrode type is needed for detection of multiple species. Selectivity of the working electrode for H2O2 was improved using Prussian Blue as a redox mediator. The determination of glucose, lactate, and uric acid in control serum samples was performed using chronoamperometry at the optimal detection potential for H2O2 (0 V versus the on-chip Ag/AgCl reference electrode). Levels of glucose and lactate in control serum samples measured using the paper devices were 4.9 +/- 0.6 and 1.2 +/- 0.2 mM (level I control sample), and 16.3 +/- 0.7 and 3.2 +/- 0.3 mM (level II control sample), respectively, and were within error of the values measured using traditional tests. This study shows the successful integration of paper-based microfluidics and electrochemical detection as an easy-to-use, inexpensive, and portable alternative for point of care monitoring.

Use of multiple colorimetric indicators for paper-based microfluidic devices

We report here the use of multiple indicators for a single analyte for paper-based microfluidic devices (microPAD) in an effort to improve the ability to visually discriminate between analyte concentrations. In existing microPADs, a single dye system is used for the measurement of a single analyte. In our approach, devices are designed to simultaneously quantify analytes using multiple indicators for each analyte improving the accuracy of the assay. The use of multiple indicators for a single analyte allows for different indicator colors to be generated at different analyte concentration ranges as well as increasing the ability to better visually discriminate colors. The principle of our devices is based on the oxidation of indicators by hydrogen peroxide produced by oxidase enzymes specific for each analyte. Each indicator reacts at different peroxide concentrations and therefore analyte concentrations, giving an extended range of operation. To demonstrate the utility of our approach, the mixture of 4-aminoantipyrine and 3,5-dichloro-2-hydroxy-benzenesulfonic acid, o-dianisidine dihydrochloride, potassium iodide, acid black, and acid yellow were chosen as the indicators for simultaneous semi-quantitative measurement of glucose, lactate, and uric acid on a microPAD. Our approach was successfully applied to quantify glucose (0.5-20 mM), lactate (1-25 mM), and uric acid (0.1-7 mM) in clinically relevant ranges. The determination of glucose, lactate, and uric acid in control serum and urine samples was also performed to demonstrate the applicability of this device for biological sample analysis. Finally results for the multi-indicator and single indicator system were compared using untrained readers to demonstrate the improvements in accuracy achieved with the new system.

Lab-on-Paper with Dual Electrochemical/ Colorimetric Detection for Simultaneous Determination of Gold and Iron

A novel lab-on-paper device combining electrochemical and colorimetric detection for the rapid screening of Au(III) in the presence of a common interference, Fe(III), in industrial waste solutions is presented here. With dilute aqua regia (0.1 M HCl + 0.05 M HNO(3)) as the supporting electrolyte, square wave voltammetry on paper provided a well-defined reduction peak for Au(III) at approximately 287 +/- 12 mV vs Ag/AgCl. Under the optimized working conditions, the calibration curve showed good linearity in the concentration range of 1-200 ppm of Au(III) with a correlation coefficient of 0.997. The limit of detection (LOD) of the proposed method is 1 ppm. Interferences from various cations were also studied. Fe(III) is the only metal that affects the electrochemical determination of Au(III) when present above a 2.5-fold excess concentration of that of the Au(III). To overcome this limitation, a colorimetric method was used to simultaneously detect Fe(III) as a screening tool. The procedure was then successfully applied to determine Au(III) in gold-refining waste solutions. The results are in agreement with those obtained from inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES).

Novel paper-based cholesterol biosensor using graphene/polyvinylpyrrolidone/polyaniline nanocomposite.

A novel nanocomposite of graphene (G), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and polyaniline (PANI) has been successfully prepared and used for the modification of paper-based biosensors via electrospraying. The droplet-like nanostructures of G/PVP/PANI-modified electrodes are obtained with an average size of 160 ± 1.02 nm. Interestingly, the presence of small amount of PVP (2 mg mL(-1)) in the nanocomposites can substantially improve the dispersibility of G and increase the electrochemical conductivity of electrodes, leading to enhanced sensitivity of the biosensor. The well-defined cyclic voltammogram of standard ferri/ferrocyanide is achieved on a G/PVP/PANI-modified electrode with a 3-fold increase in the current signal compared to an unmodified electrode. This modified electrode also exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Furthermore, cholesterol oxidase (ChOx) is attached to G/PVP/PANI-modified electrode for the amperometric determination of cholesterol. Under optimum conditions, a linear range of 50 μM to 10mM is achieved and the limit of detection is found to be 1 μM for cholesterol. Finally, the proposed system can be applied for the determination of cholesterol in a complex biological fluid (i.e. human serum).

Blood separation on microfluidic paper-based analytical devices

A microfluidic paper-based analytical device (μPAD) for the separation of blood plasma from whole blood is described. The device can separate plasma from whole blood and quantify plasma proteins in a single step. The μPAD was fabricated using the wax dipping method, and the final device was composed of a blood separation membrane combined with patterned Whatman No.1 paper. Blood separation membranes, LF1, MF1, VF1 and VF2 were tested for blood separation on the μPAD. The LF1 membrane was found to be the most suitable for blood separations when fabricating the μPAD by wax dipping. For blood separation, the blood cells (both red and white) were trapped on blood separation membrane allowing pure plasma to flow to the detection zone by capillary force. The LF1-μPAD was shown to be functional with human whole blood of 24-55% hematocrit without dilution, and effectively separated blood cells from plasma within 2 min when blood volumes of between 15-22 μL were added to the device. Microscopy was used to confirm that the device isolated plasma with high purity with no blood cells or cell hemolysis in the detection zone. The efficiency of blood separation on the μPAD was studied by plasma protein detection using the bromocresol green (BCG) colorimetric assay. The results revealed that protein detection on the μPAD was not significantly different from the conventional method (p > 0.05, pair t-test). The colorimetric measurement reproducibility on the μPAD was 2.62% (n = 10) and 5.84% (n = 30) for within-day and between day precision, respectively. Our proposed blood separation on μPAD has the potential for reducing turnaround time, sample volume, sample preparation and detection processes for clinical diagnosis and point-of care testing.

Multilayer Paper-Based Device for Colorimetric and Electrochemical Quantification of Metals

The release of metals and metal-containing compounds into the environment is a growing concern in developed and developing countries, as human exposure to metals is associated with adverse health effects in virtually every organ system. Unfortunately, quantifying metals in the environment is expensive; analysis costs using certified laboratories typically exceed

Novel, simple and low-cost alternative method for fabrication of paper-based microfluidics by wax dipping

100/sample, making the routine analysis of toxic metals cost-prohibitive for applications such as occupational exposure or environmental protection. Here, we report on a simple, inexpensive technology with the potential to render toxic metals detection accessible for both the developing and developed world that combines colorimetric and electrochemical microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (mPAD) in a three-dimensional configuration. Unlike previous mPADs designed for measuring metals, the device reported here separates colorimetric detection on one layer from electrochemical detection on a different layer. Separate detection layers allows different chemistries to be applied to a single sample on the same device. To demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach, colorimetric detection is shown for Ni, Fe, Cu, and Cr and electrochemical detection for Pb and Cd. Detection limits as low as 0.12 μg (Cr) were achieved on the colorimetric layer while detection limits as low as 0.25 ng (Cd and Pb) were achieved on the electrochemical layer. Selectivity for the target analytes was demonstrated for common interferences. As an example of the device utility, particulate metals collected on air sampling filters were analyzed. Levels measured with the mPAD matched known values for the certified reference samples of collected particulate matter.

Electrochemical analysis of acetaminophen using a boron-doped diamond thin film electrode applied to flow injection system.

Paper-based microfluidic devices are an alternative technology for fabricating simple, low-cost, portable and disposable platforms for clinical diagnosis. Hereby, a novel wax dipping method for fabricating paper-based microfluidic devices (μPADs) is reported. The iron mould for wax dipping was created by a laser cutting technique. The designed pattern was transferred onto paper by dipping an assembly mould into melted wax. The optimal melting temperature and dipping time were investigated. The optimal melting temperature was in the range of 120-130°C, and the optimal dipping time was 1s. The whole fabrication process could be finished within 1 min without the use of complicated instruments or organic solvents. The smallest hydrophilic channel that could be created by the wax dipping method was 639 ± 7 μm in size. The reproducibility of the μPAD fabrication for hydrophilic channel width of the test zone and sample zone was 1.48% and 6.30%, respectively. To verify the performance of the μPAD, multiple colorimetric assays for simultaneous detection of glucose and protein in real samples were performed. An enzymatic assay and the bromocresol green (BCG) method were conducted on the paper device to determine the presence of glucose and protein in a test solution. The results of the assays were not significantly different from those of the conventional methods (p>0.05, pair t-test and one-way ANOVA method). The wax dipping provides a new alternative method for fabricating lab-on-paper devices for multiple clinical diagnostics and will be very beneficial for developing countries.

Determination of trace heavy metals in herbs by sequential injection analysis-anodic stripping voltammetry using screen-printed carbon nanotubes electrodes

The electrochemistry of acetaminophen in phosphate buffer solution (pH 8) was studied at a boron-doped diamond (BDD) thin film electrode using cyclic voltammetry, hydrodynamic voltammetry, and flow injection with amperometric detection. Cyclic voltammetry was used to study the reaction as a function of concentration of analyte. Comparison experiments were performed using a polished glassy carbon (GC) electrode. Acetaminophen undergoes quasi-reversible reaction at both of these two electrodes. The BDD and GC electrodes provided well-resolved cyclic voltammograms but the voltammetric signal-to-background ratios obtained from the diamond electrode were higher than those obtained from the GC electrode. The diamond electrode provided a linear dynamic range from 0.1 to 8 mM and a detection of 10 microM (S/B approximately 3) for voltammetric measurement. The flow injection analysis results at the diamond electrode indicated a linear dynamic range from 0.5 to 50 microM and a detection limit of 10 nM (S/N approximately 4). Acetaminophen in syrup samples has also been investigated. The results obtained in the recovery study (24.68+/-0.26 mg/ml) were comparable to those labeled (24 mg/ml).

Analysis of sudan I, sudan II, sudan III, and sudan IV in food by HPLC with electrochemical detection: Comparison of glassy carbon electrode with carbon nanotube-ionic liquid gel modified electrode.

A method for the simultaneous determination of Pb(II), Cd(II), and Zn(II) at low microg L(-1) concentration levels by sequential injection analysis-anodic stripping voltammetry (SIA-ASV) using screen-printed carbon nanotubes electrodes (SPCNTE) was developed. A bismuth film was prepared by in situ plating of bismuth on the screen-printed carbon nanotubes electrode. Operational parameters such as ratio of carbon nanotubes to carbon ink, bismuth concentration, deposition time and flow rate during preconcentration step were optimized. Under the optimal conditions, the linear ranges were found to be 2-100 microg L(-1) for Pb(II) and Cd(II), and 12-100 microg L(-1) for Zn(II). The limits of detection (S(bl)/S=3) were 0.2 microg L(-1) for Pb(II), 0.8 microg L(-1) for Cd(II) and 11 microg L(-1) for Zn(II). The measurement frequency was found to be 10-15 stripping cycle h(-1). The present method offers high sensitivity and high throughput for on-line monitoring of trace heavy metals. The practical utility of our method was also demonstrated with the determination of Pb(II), Cd(II), and Zn(II) by spiking procedure in herb samples. Our methodology produced results that were correlated with ICP-AES data. Therefore, we propose a method that can be used for the automatic and sensitive evaluation of heavy metals contaminated in herb items.