An instrument-free visual quantitative detection method based on clock reaction: the detection of thrombin as an...

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Instrument-free visual quantitative detection is vital for point-of-care testing and resource-limited settings.
• Clock reactions offer unique temporal signaling for chemical and biochemical analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a time-based, instrument-free visual quantitative detection method using clock reactions.
• To demonstrate the method's feasibility for detecting thrombin in biological samples.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a clock reaction exhibiting characteristic clocking behavior.
• Employed the lapse of time as the readout signal for quantitative detection.
• Validated the method for thrombin detection in buffer and serum samples.

Main Results:

• Achieved a linear detection range of 1.3–43 nM for thrombin (r² = 0.990).
• Established a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.9 nM, below physiological thrombin concentrations.
• Obtained a recovery rate of approximately 100 ± 8.0% in serum samples.

Conclusions:

• This work presents the first report of using clock reaction time as a readout for instrument-free colorimetric bioanalysis.
• The developed method offers a sensitive, visual, and instrument-free approach for quantitative thrombin detection.
• The method holds significant potential for practical applications in diagnostics and resource-limited environments.