Fully integrated ready-to-use paper-based electrochemical biosensor to detect nerve agents

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Biosensors
• Microfluidics

Background:

• Paper-based microfluidic devices offer simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and portability.
• Electrochemical detection enhances sensitivity, selectivity, and instrumentation simplicity.
• Integrated systems combine these advantages for advanced analytical tools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an integrated paper-based screen-printed electrochemical biosensor for nerve agent quantification.
• To demonstrate a reagent-free analysis method for nerve agent contamination.
• To create a sensitive, rapid, and inexpensive tool for non-specialists.

Main Methods:

• Utilized dual electrochemical measurements of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity.
• Employed a carbon black/Prussian Blue nanocomposite for enhanced electrode sensitivity.
• Integrated a substrate-containing nitrocellulose membrane with a screen-printed electrode on paper.

Main Results:

• Achieved linear detection of paraoxon (nerve agent simulant) down to 3µg/L.
• Demonstrated a sensitive, reproducible, and inexpensive method for in situ assessment.
• The device operates entirely reagent-free.

Conclusions:

• The developed paper-based electrochemical biosensor is a powerful tool for rapid nerve agent detection.
• Its simplicity and low cost make it suitable for non-specialist use in field applications.
• The approach can be extended to detect other (bio)chemical threats.