Functionalized N95 Face Mask with a Chemical-Free Paper-Based Collector for Exhaled Breath Analysis: SARS-CoV-2...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Analytical Chemistry
• Immunosensing

Background:

• Exhaled breath analysis offers a non-invasive method for disease diagnosis.
• Current methods often require complex equipment or direct human contact with chemicals.
• Developing user-friendly, portable diagnostic tools for respiratory illnesses is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an integrated paper-based collector within an N95 mask for exhaled breath analysis.
• To detect SARS-CoV-2 spike protein as a model analyte using a magnetic bead-based electrochemical immunosensor.
• To provide a universal, non-contact platform for biomarker detection in exhaled breath.

Main Methods:

• Integration of a paper-based collector into an N95 face mask for sampling exhaled breath.
• Utilizing a magnetic bead-based electrochemical immunosensor for detecting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.
• Simulating exhaled breath using nebulized saliva samples for method validation.

Main Results:

• Achieved a detection limit of 1 ng/mL and a linear range of 3.7-10,000 ng/mL for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.
• Demonstrated high selectivity for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein over other airborne microorganisms and nucleocapsid protein.
• Validated the assay with simulated breath samples (97-118% recovery) and successfully detected the virus in real human breath samples.

Conclusions:

• The developed paper-based hybrid immunosensor integrated into an N95 mask is effective for detecting SARS-CoV-2 in exhaled breath.
• This non-contact, user-friendly approach offers a promising solution for point-of-care diagnostics of respiratory infections.
• Further evaluation of collector placement and patient identification capabilities is warranted.