Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• The as-prepared sensors can detect NH4+ in body fluids with a high sensitivity of 58.7 mV decade−1 and an ultrawide detection range of 1–100 mM. • The biocompatible sensors exhibit desirable biocompatibility and minimal toxicity for continuous and long-term monitoring. • The average detection error of the integrated and wireless biosensing patch was 13.2%, and body fluid detection accuracy is improved by more than 18% after cross-calibration. • The sensor array with cross-calibration effectively eliminates potassium ion interference, achieving a selectivity coefficient of 0.11.
Abstract
Ammonium level in body fluids serves as one of the critical biomarkers for healthcare, especially those relative to liver diseases. The continuous and real-time monitoring in both invasive and non-invasive manners is highly desired, while the ammonium concentrations vary largely in different body fluids. Besides, the sensing reliability based on ion-selective biosensors can be significantly interfered by potassium ions. To tackle these challenges, a flexible and biocompatible sensing patch for wireless ammonium level sensing was reported with an ultrawide linear range for universal body fluids including blood, tears, saliva, sweat and urine. The as-prepared biocompatible sensors deliver a reliable sensitivity of 58.7 mV decade−1 in the range of 1–100 mM and a desirable selectivity coefficient of 0.11 in the interference of potassium ions, attributed to the cross-calibration within the sensors array. The sensor’s biocompatibility was validated by the cell growth on the sensor surface (>80%), hemolysis rates (<5%), negligible cellular inflammatory responses and weight changes of the mice with implanted sensors. Such biocompatible sensors with ultrawide linear range and desirable selectivity open up new possibility of highly compatible biomarker analysis via different body fluids in versatile approaches.
1. Introduction
Ammonia is considered a byproduct of biological metabolism and is highly toxic to the central nervous system [1–6]. The pathophysiology of numerous illnesses, including hyperammonemia, chronic liver disease, hepatic encephalopathy, hepatocellular damage and Alzheimer’s disease, is linked to variation in ammonium levels in body fluids [7–12]. Thus, it is imperative that ammonia in body fluids should maintain a low and stable concentration [13], and an efficient technique for convenient and continuous ammonia monitoring is highly demanded.
Currently, colorimetric, photometric, enzymatic, gas-phase sensing, electrochemical impedance and potentiometric techniques are commonly adopted in detecting ammonia levels [14–25]. These methods typically involve invasive blood sensing via complicated procedures on the collected samples and cannot be performed in a continuous manner [26]. Alternatively, potentiometric ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) that can be integrated into wearable and portable platforms emerge as a cost-effective strategy for continuous and real-time monitoring.
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Mingli Huang, Xiaohao Ma, Zongze Wu, Jirong Li, Yuqing Shi, Teng Yang, Jiarun Xu, Shuhan Wang, Kongpeng Lv, Yuanjing Lin (2024). Ammonium Sensing Patch with Ultrawide Linear Range and Eliminated Interference for Universal Body Fluids Analysis. Nano-Micro Letters. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-024-01602-2
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the detection range of the ammonium sensing patch?
The sensing patch can detect ammonium ions in body fluids across an ultrawide linear range of 1–100 mM.
How does the sensor eliminate interference from potassium ions?
The sensor array employs cross-calibration to correct for potassium ion interference, achieving a selectivity coefficient of 0.11.
What body fluids can the sensor analyze?
The sensor is designed for universal body fluids analysis, including blood, tears, saliva, sweat, and urine.
Is the sensor biocompatible for long-term monitoring?
Yes, the sensor exhibits desirable biocompatibility with cell viability over 80%, hemolysis rates below 5%, and negligible inflammatory responses, making it suitable for continuous and long-term monitoring.
What is the sensitivity of the sensor?
The sensor delivers a reliable sensitivity of 58.7 mV per decade for ammonium detection.
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