Molecularly imprinted polymer-based biosensor for detection of salivary glucose in diabetes

Diabetes is a disorder attributed to impaired production or utilization of insulin and requires rapid precise monitoring of glucose levels. The fabrication of nanotechnology-based non-invasive biosensors for glucose detection holds significant promise for improved diabetes care and point-of-care diagnostics. The study demonstrates a novel molecularly imprinted polymers (ADMIPs) based sensitive biosensor for glucose estimation in saliva using three distinct sensing platforms -cotton swab, paper strip and polymeric film by colorimetric assay. The device employed a TCS3200 RGB sensor for effectively sensing color change based on the presence of D-GSE. Various techniques such as semi-covalent imprinting method, colorimetry, and microcontroller were utilized in device fabrication. The fabricated non-imprinted polymers (ADNIPs) and ADMIPs displayed particle size <1000 nm with quantified glucose readings from saliva via glucose re-binding. Furthermore, ADMIPs were coated onto cotton swabs, paper strips, and polymer films to develop sensing devices with low LODs (0.9 mg/dL - 3.9 mg/dL) and strong correlational values (0.99-0.98) with blood glucose levels in diabetic patients, offering a potential non-invasive alternative for glucose monitoring. These findings highlight the potential utility of MIP-based sensing platforms for non-invasive glucose monitoring in biofluids such as saliva with implications for diabetes management and thorough diagnostic care.