In a significant stride towards affordable and sustainable healthcare, researchers at Vadodara's Maharaja Sayajirao University have unveiled a novel, eco-friendly powder capable of instantly detecting glucose levels. This innovation promises to revolutionize diabetes monitoring, especially in resource-limited settings.
From Scrap Wires to Life-Saving Sensor
The groundbreaking research was spearheaded by Prof. Sonal Thakore from the Department of Chemistry, along with her PhD student Shradhanjali Samal. The team ingeniously repurposed discarded electrical copper wires, transforming them into a potent glucose-sensing material. Their findings were officially published in the International Chemical Engineering Journal in July of this year, culminating nearly a year of dedicated work.
Prof. Thakore explained the meticulous process: the team extracted copper from scrap wires and converted it into copper nanoparticles. To stabilize these nanoparticles, they used chitosan, a natural polymer, and reinforced the structure with a plant-based compound derived from renewable corn starch. "The final material behaves like a natural enzyme and is known as a nanozyme," Thakore stated.
How the Colour-Changing Nanozyme Works
This copper nanozyme, presented in a convenient powder form, operates on a simple colourimetric principle. When the powder comes into contact with a sample containing glucose, a chemical reaction occurs. "When glucose is present, it produces hydrogen peroxide, which turns a colourless solution deep blue in the presence of the nanozyme. The intensity of the colour directly corresponds to glucose concentration," Thakore elaborated. Darker shades of blue indicate higher glucose levels, providing a visual, instant readout.
The system's efficacy was rigorously validated using real blood serum samples from both diabetic and non-diabetic individuals. The results were found to be comparable to those obtained from standard electronic glucometers, confirming its accuracy and reliability.
Paving the Way for Accessible Diabetes Care
The implications of this research are profound for public health, particularly in India. The team is actively working on the next phase, which aims to extend glucose detection to human sweat, enabling non-invasive monitoring. Furthermore, they are exploring methods to assign precise numerical values to the colour codes, allowing users to accurately determine their blood glucose levels without ambiguity.
Prof. Thakore highlighted the practical applications, noting that the powder could be easily integrated into low-cost paper-based strips or dip tests. "If scaled up, this innovation could make diabetes testing cheaper, greener and far more accessible, particularly in rural areas where electronic devices and test strips may not be readily available," she asserted.
This development from MSU Vadodara stands as a testament to sustainable innovation, merging environmental responsibility with critical healthcare needs. It offers a simple, affordable, and sustainable alternative to conventional glucometers, potentially transforming diabetes management for millions.
