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A Biomaterial-Based Approach to Trypsin Sensing: Design and Optimization of Gelatin-Casein Films
Chinaza Ogbonna1, Youngjin Kwon1,2, Ka Ram Kim1,2
1George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States.
ACS Omega
|September 2, 2025
Summary
A novel gelatin-casein blend film shows promise for detecting trypsin, a biomarker for anastomotic leaks. The 75:25 blend offers improved sensitivity and rapid response for implantable biosensors.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Real-time postoperative monitoring can improve patient outcomes by enabling faster detection of complications.
- Anastomotic leaks are serious postoperative complications, with trypsin identified as a potential biomarker.
- Gelatin and casein are biocompatible materials with established medical applications, suitable for biomaterial platforms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate gelatin-casein blend films as a biodegradable platform for implantable trypsin biosensors.
- To optimize the blend ratio for enhanced enzymatic degradability and trypsin detection response.
- To establish a material platform for future biosensing applications in detecting anastomotic leaks.
Main Methods:
- Systematic evaluation of nine gelatin-casein blends (0:100 to 100:0 ratios).
- Characterization using Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-visible Spectroscopy (UV-vis), and Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM).
- Analysis of trypsin response through limit of detection, initial reaction rates, and absorbance shifts, using a flexible exponential decay model for statistics.
Main Results:
- The 75:25 casein:gelatin blend demonstrated superior performance.
- Lowest limit of detection (7.81 × 10-11 M) and highest initial reaction rates (6.936 ΔHz/s by QCM, -0.095 AU/min by UV-vis).
- Significant absorbance shift (-2.208 AU after 10 min), showing 10-fold and 5-fold improvement over pure gelatin and casein films, respectively.
Conclusions:
- The 75:25 casein:gelatin blend is a highly sensitive and responsive biomaterial.
- This blend shows significant potential as a platform for an implantable trypsin sensor.
- The developed material could aid in the early detection of anastomotic leaks via real-time postoperative monitoring.
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