Detection of lactate in human sweat via surface-modified, screen-printed carbon electrodes

Talanta. 2023 Dec 1:265:124888. doi: 10.1016/j.talanta.2023.124888. Epub 2023 Jun 28.

Abstract

Real-time and continuous monitoring of lactate levels in sweat has been used as an indicator of physiological information to evaluate exercise outcomes and sports performance. We developed an optimal enzyme-based biosensor to detect the concentrations of lactate in different fluids (i.e., a buffer solution and human sweat). The surface of the screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) was first treated with oxygen plasma and then surface-modified by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The optimal sensing surface of the LDH-modified SPCE was identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis. After connecting the LDH-modified SPCE to a benchtop E4980A precision LCR meter, our results showed that the measured response was dependent on the lactate concentration. The recorded data exhibited a broad dynamic range of 0.1-100 mM (R2 = 0.95) and a limit of detection of 0.1 mM, which was unachievable without the incorporation of redox species. A state-of-the-art electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) chip was developed to integrate the LDH-modified SPCE for a portable bioelectronic platform in the detection of lactate in human sweat. We believe the optimal sensing surface can improve the sensitivity of lactate sensing in a portable bioelectronic EIS platform for early diagnosis or real-time monitoring during different physical activities.

Keywords: Human sweat; Lactate; Optimal sensing surface; Portable sensing platform; Screen-printed carbon electrode.

MeSH terms

  • Biosensing Techniques* / methods
  • Carbon* / chemistry
  • Dielectric Spectroscopy
  • Electrochemical Techniques
  • Electrodes
  • Humans
  • Lactic Acid / analysis
  • Sweat / chemistry

Substances

  • Carbon
  • Lactic Acid