Serine-Grafted Cu₂O Electrode Enabling Specific β-Hydroxybutyrate Detection by Surface Sensitization-Promoted...

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Nanomaterials Science
• Biomedical Sensing

Background:

• Rising global diabetes prevalence necessitates advanced home health monitoring.
• Current home testing primarily focuses on blood glucose, lacking methods for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
• DKA detection requires sensitive and specific diagnostic tools for timely intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a feasible electrochemical technique for detecting ketoacids, specifically β-hydroxybutyrate (β-HBA).
• To utilize serine-immobilized copper(I) oxide nanoparticles (Cu₂O NPs) as an electrode material for ketoacid sensing.
• To establish a reliable method for quantifying β-HBA relevant to DKA monitoring.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of an electrochemical sensor using Cu₂O NPs coated with serine.
• Conjugation of β-HBA to the serine on the Cu₂O NP surface via esterification and amide bond formation.
• Quantification of β-HBA using amperometry to measure current variations.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated a highly linear relationship between reductive current and β-HBA concentration (0-20 mM).
• Achieved a sensitive detection limit of 0.1 mM for β-HBA.
• Proposed a mechanism involving NP surface covering-mediated electrolysis enhancement.

Conclusions:

• The developed electrochemical sensor shows high specificity and sensitivity for β-HBA detection.
• This method presents a promising direction for developing novel sensors for small molecule detection.
• The sensor offers potential for improved home health testing solutions for diabetic ketoacidosis.