title: Bio-sample detection on paper-based devices with inkjet printer-sprayed reagents.
abstract: The reagent required for bio-sample detection on paper-based analytical devices is generally introduced manually using a pipette. Such an approach is time-consuming; particularly if a large number of devices are required. Automated methods provide a far more convenient solution for large-scale production, but incur a substantial cost. Accordingly, the present study proposes a low-cost method for the paper-based analytical devices in which the biochemical reagents are sprayed onto the device directly using a modified commercial inkjet printer. The feasibility of the proposed method is demonstrated by performing aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) tests using simple two-dimensional (2D) paper-based devices. In both cases, the reaction process is analyzed using an image-processing-based colorimetric method. The experimental results show that for AST detection within the 0-105 U/l concentration range, the optimal observation time is around four minutes, while for ALT detection in the 0-125 U/l concentration range, the optimal observation time is approximately one minute. Finally, for both samples, the detection performance of the sprayed-reagent analytical devices is insensitive to the glucose concentration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Engineering Science, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Wun-Hong
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.affiliation: Department of Engineering Science, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chien-Hung
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.affiliation: Department of Engineering Science, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan. Electronic address: rjyang@mail.ncku.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Ruey-Jen
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000032:analysis; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000032:analysis; D002138:Calibration; D019963:Clinical Chemistry Tests / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005947:Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D007202:Indicators and Reagents / Q000737:chemistry; D007281:Ink; D056656:Lab-On-A-Chip Devices; D011327:Printing / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D005947:Glucose
keywords: Bio-sample detection; Colorimetry; Inkjet printer; Low-cost; Paper-based analytical device; Point-of-care