Disposable Paper-based Biosensing Platform for Procalcitonin Detection

Procalcitonin (PCT), acts a significant role in the screening of bacterial infection (BI), which is one of the world’s leading health problems. This work presents a simple, efficient, and convenient glass fiber paper (GFP) substrate-based innovative biosensor applications for BI-specific PCT biomarker detection. To enhance the conductivity of the GFP substrate, a self-accumulating single layer of AuNP is used on the GFP surface. This monolayer of AuNP in GFP provides a platform for antibody immobilization and shows high electrochemical conductivity. Further, the AuNP/GFP electrode was modified with antibodies specific to PCT followed by the addition of bovine serum albumin (BSA) to block unspecific binding sites for PCT detection. The PCT/BSA/ab/AuNP/GFP bioelectrode has been successfully used to determine PCT in a serum sample with amended stability. Scanning electronic microscopy, transmission electron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction were used to examine the structural and morphological properties. Using an electrochemical impedance response study, the developed PCT/BSA/ab/AuNP/GFP bioelectrode showed the lowest detection limit of 100 pg/ml concerning PCT detection in the linear range of 107-102 pg/ml. Electrochemical response studies show that the developed BSA/ab/AuNP/GFP bioelectrode has a lifespan of 30 days and can be used to assess PCT in the 107-102 pg/ml ranges. Moreover, this evaluated sensor offers many merits, including economical, small sample volume, single-use, and fast analysis over conventional methods, making the platform an alternative tool for PCT screening. This developed bioelectrode also shows good reproducibility in an acceptable range.