A colorimetric assay for sensitive detection of hydrogen peroxide and glucose in microfluidic paper-based analytical devices integrated with starch-iodide-gelatin system

Microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (mu PADs) for detection of hydrogen peroxide and glucose have been developed. The analytical performance of colorimetric detection using the conventional starch-iodine color reaction has been significantly improved by using gelatin as the surface modifier which retains the enzyme activity in the dry filter paper strip, improves antioxidability, as well as decreases the strong background signal. Under optimal conditions, the color intensities show a good linear relationship with glucose concentration ranging from 0.5 to 5 mM and hydrogen peroxide concentration from 0.5 to 6 mM, with the detection limit of 0.05 mM and 0.1 mM, respectively. In addition, the accuracy of calorimetric sensor has been successfully assessed in detecting glucose from real human serum samples and recovery value ranges from 95.7% to 97%, which are approaching to the glucose oxidase endpoint. The new colorimetric assay exhibits high sensitivity, good selectivity, acceptable stability and reproducibility. The present approach is promising for monitoring glucose for point of care diagnostic applications, especially in regions with resource-limited settings.