The integration of microfluidics with advanced biosensor technologies offers tremendous advantages such as smaller sample volume requirement and precise handling of samples and reagents, for developing affordable point-of-care testing methodologies that could be used in hospitals for monitoring patients. However, the success and popularity of point-of-care diagnosis lies with the generation of instantaneous and reliable results through in situ tests conducted in a painless, non-invasive manner. This work presents the development of a simple, hybrid integrated optical microfluidic biosensor for rapid detection of analytes in test samples. The proposed biosensor works on the principle of colorimetric optical absorption, wherein samples mixed with suitable chromogenic substrates induce a color change dependent upon the analyte concentration that could then be detected by the absorbance of light in its path length. This optical detection scheme has been hybrid integrated with an acoustofluidic micromixing unit to enable uniform mixing of fluids within the device. As a proof-of-concept, we have demonstrated the real-time application of our biosensor format for the detection of potassium in whole saliva samples. The results show that our lab-on-a-chip technology could provide a useful strategy in biomedical diagnoses for rapid analyte detection towards clinical point-of-care testing applications.
Greenhouse gases (GHG) emission from agriculture (24%) are an important contributor to climate change. Livestock accounts for an estimated 80% of total agriculture emissions, making abatement of GHG emission from livestock a high-priority challenge facing animal nutritionists. These gases are produced because of ruminal fermentation of feeds resulting in a significant contribution of GHG from this sector. There are potential strategies to reduce GHG emissions in ruminants such as improved farming systems, forage quality, animal genetics, feed additives and dietary fats inclusion, modified microorganisms, etc. The current study evaluated an important nutraceutical plant, Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (Malvaceae), for its ability to modulate rumen function to increase dry matter digestibility and reduce GHG emission in dairy cows. The calyces of H. sabdariffa at six different doses (0, 1, 2, 4 and 6 g/head) were used in an in vitro batch culture study. Two dairy diets—alfalfa hay and total mixed ration were used as substrates. Inoculum was collected from 2 cannulated dairy cows from the CAES farm and substrates were incubated for 3, 6 and 24 h. Gas production was measured and analyzed for methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfite and ammonia. H. sabdariffa reduced (P < 0.05) methane production in all the alfalfa hay treatments except at 6 g/head inclusion level. No effect (P > 0.05) was noted for TMR treatment. We observed small numerical reduction in carbon dioxide in all but two inclusion levels. About 25% increase in dry matter digestibility was noted for 4 g/head treatment. Further studies are planned to validate results.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.