Fabrication of wearable glove-based electrochemical sensors for rapid detection of bacterial biomarkers

• Grant number: 24/05121-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): May 01, 2024
• Effective date (End): April 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Analytical Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: William Reis de Araujo
• Grantee: Luisa Fauaz de Almeida
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/03250-7 - Development of portable and cost-effective biosensors for clinical diagnosis of bacterial and viral infections, AP.PNGP.PI

Abstract

In this research project, we intend to manufacture portable and low-cost electrochemical sensors on nitrile gloves using the screen-printing technique using conductive carbon and Ag/AgCl inks. The manufactured sensors will be used for electrochemical studies and the development of detection strategies for Salmonella spp. biomarkers. Glove-based sensors are highly interesting analytical approaches for rapid identification of compounds of interest directly at the point of need, as coupling the sensor to the glove and using a miniaturized potentiostat controlled by a mobile device provides a portable, versatile, and highly sensitive and selective analytical tool for rapid screening of bacterial contaminations/infections. Such sensors can be used for sampling of materials and surfaces of interest and obtaining voltammetric records of the sampled solid microparticles or even for direct application in aqueous matrices. The developed sensors will be electrochemically characterized, and their mechanical robustness will be evaluated for field applications. After analytical optimizations, the developed sensors will be applied for the detection of esterase and other metabolites relevant for the indirect detection of contamination and/or infection by Salmonella spp. in simulated biofluids and food samples