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Towards Haemoglobin Detection in Finger-Prick Sampling via Low-Cost Disposable Sensor Chips Based on eMIPs on
Rosalba Pitruzzella1,2, Dalila Cicatiello2, Chiara Marzano2
1Department of Women, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy.
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
|May 26, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a novel plasmonic plastic optical fiber sensor for rapid and cost-effective haemoglobin (Hb) detection. The point-of-care test offers ultra-low detection limits and high specificity for disease diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Haemoglobin (Hb) concentration is a critical biomarker for diagnosing various diseases.
- Conventional Hb detection methods are often slow, require expert handling, and involve expensive equipment.
- There is a need for rapid, cost-effective, and accessible point-of-care tests (POCTs) for Hb monitoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel sensing strategy for point-of-care haemoglobin detection.
- To demonstrate the feasibility of using plasmonic plastic optical fiber (POF) sensor chips with electropolymerized molecularly imprinted polymer (eMIP) films for selective Hb detection.
- To establish a cost-effective and rapid diagnostic tool for Hb analysis.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of plasmonic plastic optical fiber (POF) sensor chips.
- Integration of an electropolymerized molecularly imprinted polymer (eMIP) film onto the plasmonic surface for selective haemoglobin binding.
- Characterization of sensor performance, including detection limit, selectivity against interfering proteins (BSA, IgG), and validation with whole-blood samples.
Main Results:
- Achieved an ultra-low detection limit of 80 fM for Hb in buffer, significantly lower than existing sensors.
- Demonstrated high specificity towards Hb, with minimal interference from common proteins like BSA and IgG.
- Validated sensor performance using whole-blood samples, showing results consistent with standard haematology analysis.
- The developed sensor system provides results in approximately 10 minutes with a cost of about 10 euros per chip.
Conclusions:
- The proposed plasmonic POF sensor with eMIP film offers a highly sensitive, selective, and rapid method for Hb detection.
- This label-free diagnostic tool is suitable for point-of-care applications, including finger-prick sampling.
- The technology presents a cost-effective and less invasive alternative to traditional laboratory methods, aligning with Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) applications.
