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

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 (λ_max 550 nm) and the blue-emitting NanoLuc (λ_max 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.