An amperometric glucose biosensor prototype fabricated by thermal inkjet printing

Biosens Bioelectron. 2005 Apr 15;20(10):2019-26. doi: 10.1016/j.bios.2004.09.022.

Abstract

The prototype of an amperometric glucose biosensor was realized by thermal inkjet printing using biological and electronic water-based inks, containing a glucose oxidase (GOD) from Aspergillus niger and the conducting polymer blend poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene/polystyrene sulfonic acid) (PEDOT/PSS), respectively. The biosensor was fabricated microdepositing PEDOT/PSS and GOD, in sequence, on ITO-glass, by a commercial inkjet printer, with the help of a commercial software. High density microdots matrices were so-realized, with a calculated resolution of about 221 x 221 dpi (dot per inch). By means of a rapid and easy assay it was demonstrated that no activity loss occurred upon the printing of GOD, despite of the use of a thermal printhead. The device was encapsulated in a semipermeable membrane of cellulose acetate, applied by dip-coating, in order to prevent dissolution of the enzyme and/or PEDOT/PSS in water. The preliminary response of the electrode was measured in an aqueous glucose solution in the presence of ferrocenemethanol (FeMeOH) as a mediator, and resulted linear up to 60 mM in glucose. The best sensitivity value achieved was 6.43 microAM(-1) cm(-2) (447 nAM(-1) U(-1) cm(-2)). The characteristics of the device, and the possible performance improvements have been analyzed and discussed. The reported findings indicate that inkjet printing could be a viable instrument for the easy construction of a working biosensor via direct digital design using biological and conductive polymer based inks. Such an approach may be seen as an example of "biopolytronics".

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aspergillus niger / enzymology
  • Biosensing Techniques / instrumentation*
  • Biosensing Techniques / methods
  • Blood Glucose / analysis
  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible / chemistry
  • Computer Peripherals
  • Electrochemistry / instrumentation*
  • Electrochemistry / methods
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Glucose / analysis*
  • Glucose / chemistry*
  • Glucose Oxidase / analysis
  • Glucose Oxidase / chemistry*
  • Hot Temperature
  • Pilot Projects
  • Printing / instrumentation

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible
  • Glucose Oxidase
  • Glucose