Amylase-Responsive Starch-Cellulose Nanofiber Aerogel for Rapid Visual Detection of Pancreatic Fluid Leakage

Early detection of pancreatic fluid leakage is essential after pancreaticojejunostomy, a surgical procedure connecting the pancreas to the jejunum, typically performed during pancreaticoduodenectomy, as delays in identifying the leakage can lead to severe postoperative complications. Here, we present a starch-based aerogel that enables simple and visual detection of leakage through amylase-triggered structural degradation. The aerogel's highly porous network accelerates liquid diffusion and enzymatic hydrolysis, producing a clear degradation response correlated with enzyme concentration. However, native starch aerogels lack wet stability and rapidly disintegrate in aqueous environments. To address this, cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) were incorporated as a reinforcing scaffold, enhancing mechanical integrity in hydrated conditions without hindering enzymatic accessibility. The resulting starch-CNF aerogel remained stable under normal postoperative amylase levels (∼100 U/L) but degraded rapidly under leakage-associated conditions (>300 U/L). This material offers a low-cost, biocompatible, and easily deployable platform suitable for integration into standard drainage systems, enabling rapid bedside assessment of pancreatic fluid leakage.