Algae-paper integrated sensor for bisphenol determination in zebrafish embryos

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Assessing contaminant levels in in vivo models requires smart, real-time monitoring solutions.
• Current analytical methods often rely on off-site, time-consuming instrumental techniques.
• There is a need for rapid, on-site strategies for contaminant monitoring in biological systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop sustainable algae-paper sensors for determining Bisphenol A (BPA) bioconcentration in zebrafish embryos (Z-EBs).
• To enable real-time monitoring of BPA levels in the culture medium of Z-EBs during in vivo studies.
• To provide a reliable method for assessing BPA bioaccumulation in Z-EBs.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of algae-paper sensors using stencil printing and biochar derived from seaweed waste.
• Preparation of biochar via water-based liquid-phase exfoliation, avoiding organic solvents.
• Electrochemical sensing of BPA in zebrafish embryo culture medium and in Z-EBs via in-matrix calibration.

Main Results:

• Algae sensors accurately tracked BPA variations in Z-EB culture medium over 96 hours (Relative Error -14/+12%).
• Achieved a Limit of Detection of 58 nM/13 μg L⁻¹ for bioaccumulated BPA in Z-EBs.
• Demonstrated reproducible results (RSD ≤ 8.8%) and quantitative recoveries (94-118%), confirming sensor reliability.
• Sensors effectively discriminated sublethal BPA levels linked to developmental delays in Z-EBs.

Conclusions:

• Developed a sustainable, circular-economy-based algae-paper sensor for BPA detection.
• Demonstrated the first portable electrochemical device for BPA determination in in vivo studies.
• The algae-paper sensor enables both real-time monitoring and end-exposure bioaccumulation assessment of BPA.