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Electrochemical-surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (E-SERS) of uric acid: a potential rapid diagnostic method for
Barbara L Goodall1, Ashley M Robinson, Christa L Brosseau
1Department of Chemistry, Saint Mary's University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 3C3.
Abstract:
An increased level of uric acid in urine and plasma is indicative of the development of preeclampsia, a hypertensive disorder that can occur during pregnancy. The preliminary steps towards developing a rapid tool for early diagnosis of preeclampsia using electrochemical SERS (E-SERS) for the detection of uric acid in urine are presented herein. Characterization of the uric acid species was completed using cyclic voltammetry, UV spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and electrochemical surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (E-SERS). E-SERS was capable of easily detecting uric acid directly at concentrations <1 mM in urine simulant, without the need for costly enzymes and bulky equipment, and thus demonstrates promise as a rapid point-of-care diagnostic tool for detection of early onset preeclampsia in developing nation settings.
