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Updated: Feb 5, 2026

Cerebral Blood Oxygenation Measurement Based on Oxygen-dependent Quenching of Phosphorescence
Published on: May 4, 2011
Self-powered cathodic detection of dissolved oxygen using a paper-based biofuel cell.
Isao Shitanda1,2, Riko Ohkura1, Noya Loew1
1Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science Noda 2641 Yamazaki Chiba 278-8510 Japan shitanda@rs.tus.ac.jp.
This study presents a self-powered biosensor for dissolved oxygen (DO) detection using a paper-based enzymatic biofuel cell. The novel sensor offers a low-cost, disposable, and scalable solution for environmental and food quality monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Biosensors
- Materials Science
Background:
- Dissolved oxygen (DO) is a critical parameter in environmental and food quality monitoring.
- Existing DO sensing methods often require external power sources and can be costly.
- Enzymatic biofuel cells (BFCs) offer a promising platform for self-powered biosensing applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a self-powered biosensor for accurate dissolved oxygen (DO) detection.
- To utilize a paper-based enzymatic biofuel cell (BFC) with screen-printed electrodes for DO sensing.
- To demonstrate the feasibility of the biosensor for real-world sample analysis.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of screen-printed electrodes using MgO-templated mesoporous carbon (MgOC).
- Modification of the anode with flavin adenine dinucleotide-dependent glucose dehydrogenase (FAD-GDH).
- Modification of the cathode with bilirubin oxidase (BOD) for selective oxygen reduction.
- Electrochemical analysis to correlate cathodic current with DO concentration.
Main Results:
- A linear relationship was observed between cathodic current and DO concentration (0-22 mg L-1).
- The biosensor achieved a maximum power output of 398 µW cm-2 at 20 mg L-1 DO.
- Successful quantification of DO in pure water and a commercial soft drink was demonstrated.
Conclusions:
- The developed paper-based enzymatic BFC biosensor enables self-powered DO detection.
- The system is low-cost, disposable, and scalable, suitable for environmental and food monitoring.
- This work opens new avenues for efficient and accessible DO sensing technologies.
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