Introduction

A sensitive electrochemical immunosensor for detecting vitamin D3 (25-OHD) obtained by modifying a commercially available screen printed electrode (SPE) in graphite using nanostructured materials. The immunosensor was evaluated in the analysis of serum samples by comparing the results with the standard reference method using the CLIA technique. The results obtained show an excellent agreement suggesting its use for the rapid, inexpensive, and accurate diagnosis of hypovitaminosis from Vitamin D3.

Technical features

The device consists of a screen-printed graphite electrode modified with magnetic nanoparticles coated with gold. The nanomaterial is functionalized with functional groups which, when conveniently activated, are able to anchor specific antibody molecules for vitamin D3 on the sensor surface. Then 15 microliters of human serum will be injected on the electrode for a few minutes in order to allow the binding of vitamin D3 on the antibodies present on the surface. The electrode will then be tested in a drop of redox probe, returning a lowering of current proportional to the concentration of vitamin D3 present in the sample. The technology developed will allow the development of a series of electrochemical and optical biosensors for the determination of markers of interest mainly in the clinical field, but also in the environmental and food fields. TRL4 – the device is ready for development as an industrial prototype.

Possible Applications

• Clinical marker;
• Environmental and food markers.

Advantages

• Miniaturization;
• Portability of devices for real-time screening of substances in the clinical, environmental and food fields;
• Economics.