article · Sensing and Bio-Sensing Research
Researchers have developed a modified electrochemical sensor for detecting uric acid in human saliva using a nanocomposite of gold nanoparticles and graphitic carbon nitride. Synthesised by in-situ chemical reduction, the gold nanoparticles act as active catalytic sites while the graphitic carbon nitride provides a high-surface-area support that promotes electron transfer and even particle dispersion. Testing demonstrated that the modified carbon paste electrode generated significantly higher oxidation peak currents for uric acid than an unmodified electrode. Operating under optimised conditions, the sensor achieved a linear detection range from 0.5 to 10.0 micromolar and a detection limit of 0.31 micromolar. The device resisted interference from substances like glucose, ascorbic acid, and creatinine, attained recovery rates between 95.56 and 98.27 percent in real saliva, and retained over 90 percent of its initial signal after 60 days of ambient storage.
Measuring uric acid levels is vital for monitoring metabolic health and related clinical conditions. Using saliva rather than blood offers a non-invasive, pain-free alternative for patients. This sensor design demonstrates high measurement accuracy, long-term stability under ambient conditions, and strong resistance to other biological compounds, which supports the broader goal of simpler diagnostic testing.
This work could enable point-of-care, non-invasive diagnostic devices for clinical diagnostics and health monitoring applications. The primary prospective users would be healthcare providers and diagnostic laboratories. Having successfully detected uric acid in actual human saliva samples and demonstrated a 60-day shelf life, the technology sits at an applied, laboratory-tested stage of development.
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A gold nanoparticle/graphitic carbon nitride heterostructure nanocomposite was synthesized via an in-situ chemical reduction of Au 3+ on the surface of graphitic carbon nitride and was applied for the non-invasive electrochemical detection of uric acid (UA) in human saliva. In this configuration, gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) acted as highly active electrocatalytic sites, while graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ) served as a high-surface-area scaffold facilitating uniform nanoparticles dispersion and efficient electron transfer. Morphological and elemental characterization using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), BET analysis, and infrared spectroscopy (IR) confirmed the homogeneous distribution of Au-NPs anchored to the g-C 3 N 4 sheets. Furthermore, electrochemical characterization was performed through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Electrochemical measurements demonstrated that Au-NPs@g-C 3 N 4 /CPE generated significantly higher UA oxidation peak currents compared with bare CPE. Under optimized pH conditions, accumulation potential, and differential pulse parameters the sensor exhibited a well-defined linear calibration range 0.5–10.0 μM ( r = 0.9943) with a detection limit of 0.31 μM uric acid. Selectivity tests in artificial saliva showed negligible signal deviations (≤ ±2 %) in the presence of common salivary interferents such as ascorbic acid, creatinine, and glucose. Spike and recovery experiments using actual saliva samples achieved recoveries of 95.56–98.27 % confirming high analytical accuracy in complex biological matrices. Furthermore, the electrode retained over 90 % of its initial response after 60 days of ambient storage indicating excellent stability. The synergistic integration of Au-NPs with g-C 3 N 4 significantly enhanced catalytic activity, electron transport, and UA adsorption making the Au-NPs@g-C 3 N 4 /CPE a cost-effective, sensitive, and reliable platform for point-of-care UA monitoring in saliva for clinical diagnostics and health applications. • Au-NPs@g-C 3 N 4 /CPE enables non-invasive saliva uric acid detection via DPV. • Gold NPs boost electrocatalysis; g-C 3 N 4 ensures high area and dispersion. • Wide linear range 0.5–10 μM, r = 0.9943, with 0.31 μM detection limit. • High selectivity against ascorbic acid, creatinine, and glucose in saliva. • Stable ≥90 % response after 60 days; recoveries 95.56–98.27 % in artificial saliva.
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DOI: 10.1016/j.sbsr.2025.100881
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