Fingerprinting Breath: Electrochemical Monitoring of Markers Indicative of BacteriaMycobacterium tuberculosisInfection

Can the mechanical activation (polishing) of screen-printed electrodes enhance their electroanalytical response?

“…1,2 In light of this, the field of screen-printed electrodes is ever emerging; various carbon forms (particularly graphite), gold and any other working electrode materials can be printed onto inexpensive substrates and, due to their scales of economy, produce cost-effective electrochemical sensing platforms. 1,[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] For example, graphite screen-printed sensors have been applied to the detection of a diverse array of analytes; such as novel psychoactive substances, 17,18 Rohpy-nol®, 19 pindolol, 20 atropine, 21 clonazepam in serum and in wine, 22 nimodipine in pharmaceutical formulations 23 and chemical markers indicative of both cystic fibrosis 24 and tuberculosis 25 for potential use in breath sensing, as well as many other analytes of both clinical and environmental interest. [26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36] Screen-printed sensors are often modified to improve their electrochemical response with the addition of various metal compounds, 37,38 nanoparticles [39][40][41] and even organic substrates,…”

Ionic Liquid-Carbon Nanotube Sensor Arrays for Human Breath Related Volatile Organic Compounds

“…In brief, condensed breath was used as a “healthy” control and a sample of healthy breath +0.85% saturated toluene vapor was used to simulate EBC of lung disease suspected patient (e.g., TB and lung cancer). ,,, Using PCA, “healthy breath”, “diseased breath”, and toluene vapor samples were clearly discriminated into three groups without overlap (Figure b), thereby showing the potential for the successful distinction between simulated breath from a healthy and sick individual. One of the challenges is that the range of our sensor is higher than the physiological concentration of VOCs in exhaled breath (several ppm) . Improving the detection limit will be the subject of further research and will consist of the screening of different device architectures and fabrication methodologies.…”

“…One of the challenges is that the range of our sensor is higher than the physiological concentration of VOCs in exhaled breath (several ppm). 9 Improving the detection limit will be the subject of further research and will consist of the screening of different device architectures and fabrication methodologies.…”

“…Throughout human history, lung infections have been a major public health threat responsible for debilitating disease and death. − Breath sensors have the potential to improve the early detection of pulmonary conditions and the overall efficacy of screening. These sensors should detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are known biomarkers for specific diseases and can be found in exhaled human breath. − For instance, the breath of patients infected with tuberculosis (TB) shows increased levels of several benzene and aldehyde derivatives. − Although gas chromatography, laser absorption spectrometry, and quartz crystal microbalance sensors have been used for detection of exhaled VOCs, these techniques are limited by their high expense, complexity, and low selectivity. As a result, the search for suitable methods for early diagnosis is ongoing. , …”