Molecularly imprinted polymer-based chemiresistive sensor for detection of nonanal as a cancer related biomarker

Volatile organic compounds are valuable biomarkers for monitoring the metabolic status of cells and even diagnosing diseases, like cancer. Herein, a chemiresistive sensor was developed to detect gaseous nonanal which is one of the biomarkers associated with cancers. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) and organic solvent synthesized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were combined with a simple process to form a conductive composite as the active layer, which was then drop-casted on the surface of the interdigitated electrodes (IDEs). The conductivity changes that occurred in the presence of the target analyte were measured using a highly accurate potentiostat in a two electrode system. The limit of detection (LOD) and linear range of the sensor were determined as 4.5 ppm and 2.5-100 ppm, respectively. Sensor selectivity was assessed and the analytes were successfully classified using partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). The sensor operates at room temperature and is able to detect nonanal in the head space of human plasma in real time mode without the need for pre-concentration.

Automated summary

A chemiresistive sensor was developed to detect gaseous nonanal, a biomarker associated with cancers, by combining molecularly imprinted polymers and gold nanoparticles synthesized in organic solvent in a simple process. The sensor showed good detection limit and linear range, enabling accurate detection of the target analyte in real time mode.