The KAUST team has now developed an extremely delicate glucose detector based on a thin-film transistor. The transistor consists of thin layers of the semiconductors indium oxide and zinc oxide, topped with the enzyme glucose oxidase. When a sample of saliva is positioned on the sensing unit, the specific enzyme oxidizes any glucose present to produce D-gluconolactone and hydrogen peroxide. That alters the existing flowing through the semiconductors, and the size of this effect suggests the glucose concentration within the sample.
They discovered that the gadget properly determined a wide range of glucose concentrations in less than one minute.
People with diabetes have typically monitored their blood glucose using gadgets that evaluate a drop of blood by puncturing a finger numerous times a day. More recently, implanted sensors can supply constant glucose tracking without undesirable pinpricks, however these gadgets can be less precise for lower glucose levels and are not approved for kids.
Professor Thomas Anthopoulos and Abhinav Sharma (visualized above) are now developing an array of transistor sensing units that might all at once detect multiple metabolites in saliva. Credit: © 2023 KAUST; Anastasia Serin
Saliva as an Alternative to Blood Testing
A more convenient way to keep track of glucose might be through testing saliva, which is associated to blood glucose levels. However, glucose concentrations are much lower in saliva than in blood, which has actually made it tough to measure properly without advanced lab devices.
The KAUST group has actually now developed an extremely sensitive glucose detector based on a thin-film transistor. These small, light-weight, and low-power devices could be appropriate for mass production as low-cost non reusable sensing units, states group member Abhinav Sharma. “A user friendly noninvasive glucose-measuring gadget using saliva as a medium could be life-changing for countless patients worldwide,” he says.
How the Device Works
The transistor consists of thin layers of the semiconductors indium oxide and zinc oxide, topped with the enzyme glucose oxidase. When a sample of saliva is placed on the sensing unit, the particular enzyme oxidizes any glucose present to produce D-gluconolactone and hydrogen peroxide. Electrical oxidation of the hydrogen peroxide then produces electrons that enter the semiconductor layers. That alters the existing flowing through the semiconductors, and the size of this effect indicates the glucose concentration within the sample.
The scientists checked their gadget using human saliva samples that had various amounts of glucose contributed to them and also examined saliva from volunteers who had fasted before taking the tests (glucose levels in saliva may not correlate with blood glucose instantly after a meal).
They found that the gadget correctly measured a wide variety of glucose concentrations in less than one minute. Crucially, the sensing unit was not foiled by other particles in saliva, including sugar derivatives such as fructose and sucrose. The level of sensitivity of the device declined over time, it still provided good performance after being stored for two weeks at space temperature.
Future Prospects
The team is now developing a variety of transistor sensors that might all at once spot multiple metabolites in saliva. “The development of portable sensing unit arrays that can be incorporated with a mobile phone is a possible future direction for research study,” states Thomas Anthopoulos, who led the group.
Referral: “Non-invasive, ultrasensitive detection of glucose in saliva utilizing metal oxide transistors” by Abhinav Sharma, Wejdan S. AlGhamdi, Hendrik Faber, Yen-Hung Lin, Chien-Hao Liu, En-Kai Hsu, Wei-Zhi Lin, Dipti Naphade, Suman Mandal, Martin Heeney and Thomas D. Anthopoulos, 15 June 2023, Biosensors and Bioelectronics.DOI: 10.1016/ j.bios.2023.115448.
KAUST researchers have established a sensor that can determine glucose levels in saliva, offering diabetics an alternative methods to keep track of glucose levels in their blood. Credit: © 2023 KAUST; Anastasia Serin
An ingenious gadget might lead the way for easier diabetes monitoring.
A model sensor that measures glucose levels in saliva might eventually offer an easy, quick, and pain-free method for people to monitor their diabetes, according to the King Abdullah University of Science & & Technology (KAUST) scientists behind the innovation.
Diabetes is an illness that happens when the body can not regulate its blood sugar levels. Raised glucose levels can cause cardiovascular illness and other conditions, so it is essential that individuals with diabetes maintain their blood sugar at moderate levels.
