Dual Chromatic Laser-Printed Microfluidic Paper-Based Analytical Device (μPAD) for the Detection of Atrazine in Water

Abstract

Water pollution caused by pesticides is a significant threat to the environment and human health. Silver and gold nanoparticle (AgNPs, AuNPs)-based biosensors are affordable tools, ideal for environmental monitoring. Microfluidic paper-based devices (μPADs) are a promising approach for on-site testing, but few studies have explored the use of laser printing (LP) for μPAD-based biosensors. This study investigates the feasibility of using laser printing to fabricate paper-based biosensors for pesticide detection in water samples. The μPAD was designed and optimized by using different filter paper porosities, patterns, and channel thicknesses. The developed LP-μPAD was used to sense the pesticide atrazine in water through colorimetric assessments using a smartphoneassisted image analysis. The analytical assessment showed a limit of detection (LOD) of 3.5 and 10.9 μM for AgNPs and AuNPs, respectively. The sensor had high repeatability and reproducibility. The LP-μPAD also demonstrated good recovery and functionality in simulated contaminated water. Furthermore, the detection of pesticides was found to be specific under the influence of interferents, such as NaCl and pH levels. By combining laser printing and nanoparticles, the proposed sensor could contribute to developing effective and low-cost solutions for monitoring water quality that are widely accessible.

Simple microfluidic devices for in situ detection of water contamination: a state-of-art review

“…Also, with reproducibility between 4.2%-5.5%. In addition, Moulahoum (2023) reported a method for detecting atrazine, a pesticide used for crops, based on fabricating a biosensor from a laser-printed µ-PAD chip in a Y shape using gold and silver nanoparticles as reagents for colorimetric detection (Figure 6B). The µ-PAD chip was fabricated useing a laser-printed to reduce the devices cost compared to fabrication with wax or inkjet printer.…”

“…Chang et al (2023) used integration centrifugal microfluidics with nylon filter membranes to rapidly detect live bacteria in water. The method concept was to concentrate the bacteria via a centrifugation system and then occupy them with water-soluble tetrazolium-8 (WST-8), which was used for the colorimetric detection of the bacterial metabolism so changes in (Moulahoum, 2023). Copyright 2023, American Chemical Society (ACS).…”

“…Silver and gold nanoparticles decorated the sensing area and in the presence of the pesticide a color developed. The color intensity was measured by smartphone camera and ImageJ at different concentrations of atrazine pesticide(Moulahoum, 2023). Copyright 2023, American Chemical Society (ACS).…”