Hydrophilic metal-organic frameworks integrated uricase for wearable detection of sweat uric acid

Abstract

The chemistry of the metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) coating may affect the biological functionality of the encapsulated biomacromolecules in harsh environment. Enzymes encapsulated in hydrophilic MAF-7 can retain high activity in harsh environment. We conducted this study to prepare a non-invasive wearable uircase@MAF-7-based electrochemical sensor that can achieve accurate and sensitive detection of UA levels in sweat by integrating a flexible microfluidic chip and wireless electronic readout device. The flexible microfluidic chip enabled an easy and effective collection of sweat samples. MAF-7 protected enzyme activity by encapsulating uricase. The uricase@MAF-7-based electrochemical sensor enabled the highly sensitive detection of UA in the concentration range of 2 μM-70 μM with a detection limit of as low as 0.34 μM. Additionally, we evaluated the utility of the sensor for monitoring UA levels in real sweat samples by means of a high purine dietary challenge. This personalized wearable sweat sensing device has a potential to be used for monitoring disease-related metabolites in daily life.

Keywords: MAF-7; Microfluidic chip; Sweat analysis; UA analysis; Wearable electrochemical sensor.