Paper-based Analytical Devices

Nanoparticle-based Point of Care Immunoassays for in vitro Biomedical Diagnostics

In resource-limited settings, the availability of medical practitioners and early diagnostic facilities are inadequate relative to the population size and disease burden. To address cost and delayed time issues in diagnostics, strip-based immunoassays, e.g. dipstick, lateral flow assay (LFA) and microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (microPADs), have emerged as promising alternatives to conventional diagnostic approaches. These assays rely on chromogenic agents to detect disease biomarkers. However, limited specificity and sensitivity have motivated scientists to improve the efficiency of these assays by conjugating chromogenic agents with nanoparticles for enhanced qualitative and quantitative output. Various nanomaterials, which include metallic, magnetic and luminescent nanoparticles, are being used in the fabrication of biosensors to detect and quantify biomolecules and disease biomarkers. This review discusses some of the principles and applications of such nanoparticle-based point of care biosensors in biomedical diagnosis.

Microfluidic Paper-based Analytical Device for the Determination of Hexavalent Chromium by Photolithographic Fabrication Using a Photomask Printed with 3D Printer

This article describes a simple and inexpensive microfluidic paper-based analytical device (μPAD) for the determination of hexavalent chromium (Cr^VI) in water samples. The μPADs were fabricated on paper by photolithography using a photomask printed with a 3D printer and functionalized with reagents for a colorimetric assay. In the μPAD, Cr^VI reacts with 1,5-diphenylcarbazide to form a violet-colored complex. Images of μPADs were captured with a digital camera; then the red, green, and blue color intensity of each detection zone were measured using images processing software. The green intensity analysis was the best sensitive among the RGB color. A linear working range (40 - 400 ppm; R² = 0.981) between the Cr^VI and green intensity was obtained with a detection limit of 30 ppm. All of the recoveries were between 94 and 109% in recovery studies on water samples, and good results were obtained.