Thursday, 22nd February 2007 (3420 views)

Gold nanoparticles have been used to create a biosensor capable of detecting the stimulant xanthine which is found in drinks like coke and coffee.

Cuban scientists from the University of Matanzas covered a gold electrode in polymer-coated gold nanoparticles. This supramolecular approach means that the xanthine contained in beverages oxidises with the gold and this immobilises the enzyme.

Reynaldo Villalonga, who led the study, said: "We have shown for the first time an enzyme electrode made via supramolecular associations."

He explained that xanthine was used for the study because it is an important enzyme in the diagnosis of several diseases such as kidney failure or the formation of kidney stones.

What's more, during storage times of three weeks where the golden sensor was kept in the fridge, its response to the enzyme barely decreased.

Now the researchers are hoping to generalise this gold supramolecular approach so that it can be used for other bodily enzymes and thus they can produce portable biosensor devices.

These will be used on the national population to improve Cuba's healthcare system.

 

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