Colorimetric chemosensing of Riboflavin using polymeric micro-array reinforced by silver nanoparticle:...

Riboflavin, vitamin B2, is an essential micronutrient involved in energy metabolism and cellular function, making its monitoring crucial for clinical diagnostics, food quality control, and nutritional research. In this study, a parafilm-based micro-array was fabricated and utilized for colorimetric detection of riboflavin using triangular silver nanoparticles (TA-AgNPs) as an optical probe. The interaction between riboflavin and silver nanoparticles induced changes in the NPs' localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), resulting in a visible color change. This phenomenon was systematically studied by varying riboflavin concentrations and observing the corresponding optical response using UV-Vis spectroscopy. Riboflavin was detected in human plasma samples using CMYK colorimetric integrated digital image analysis by smartphones with a linear detection range of 0.1 to 100 mM and low limit of quantification of 0.1 mM in the standard solution of analyte. Using the unique plasmonic properties of TA-AgNPs and the construction simplicity of parafilm-based micro-array system, we aimed to provide a cost-effective, portable, and efficient method for riboflavin detection. The proposed platform has the potential to develop point-of-care diagnostics and on-site testing by offering a robust alternative to traditional laboratory-based analytical techniques and well plates.