Optimization of a portable ligand-free optical spectroscopy method for SARS-CoV-2 protein detection

The rapid spread of COVID-19 has underscored the need for fast, portable, and reliable diagnostic tools. Conventional techniques such as polymerase chain reaction and emerging biosensors like surface plasmon resonance require complex procedures for ligand development and immobilization, which often...

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Main Authors: Fatin Hamimi Mustafa, Nik Yusnoraini Yusof, Mawaddah Mohd Azlan, Fariza Hanim Suhailin, Chan Yean Yean, Nik Mohd Noor Nik Zuraina, Mohd Zulkifli Salleh, Hironaga Uchida, Irneza Ismail, Rosline Hassan, Raja Kamarulzaman Raja Ibrahim, Mohd Adzir Mahdi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-10-01
Series:Biosensors and Bioelectronics: X
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590137025000901
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author Fatin Hamimi Mustafa
Nik Yusnoraini Yusof
Mawaddah Mohd Azlan
Fariza Hanim Suhailin
Chan Yean Yean
Nik Mohd Noor Nik Zuraina
Mohd Zulkifli Salleh
Hironaga Uchida
Irneza Ismail
Rosline Hassan
Raja Kamarulzaman Raja Ibrahim
Mohd Adzir Mahdi
author_facet Fatin Hamimi Mustafa
Nik Yusnoraini Yusof
Mawaddah Mohd Azlan
Fariza Hanim Suhailin
Chan Yean Yean
Nik Mohd Noor Nik Zuraina
Mohd Zulkifli Salleh
Hironaga Uchida
Irneza Ismail
Rosline Hassan
Raja Kamarulzaman Raja Ibrahim
Mohd Adzir Mahdi
author_sort Fatin Hamimi Mustafa
collection DOAJ
description The rapid spread of COVID-19 has underscored the need for fast, portable, and reliable diagnostic tools. Conventional techniques such as polymerase chain reaction and emerging biosensors like surface plasmon resonance require complex procedures for ligand development and immobilization, which often involve probes, antibodies, or aptamers. This study proposes a ligand-free detection strategy based on optical spectroscopy for the rapid identification of the SARS-CoV-2 protein. The detection workflow includes two key phases: optimization and clinical validation. In the optimization phase, transmittance spectral measurements were conducted on SARS-CoV-2 protein to determine the optimal wavelength within the ultraviolet–visible–near infrared range (200–1100 nm). The most effective fiber configuration was also evaluated using three combinations of transmitter–receiver fiber diameters: 600–400 μm, 600–100 μm, and 200–400 μm. The optimal detection parameters were identified as 275 nm for wavelength and 600–400 μm for fiber configuration. Specificity testing confirmed complete discrimination between SARS-CoV-2 protein and other proteins, including SARS-CoV and rBmSXP, with 100 % specificity. Subsequently, clinical validation was conducted on 21 patients using the optimized parameters. Optical spectroscopy measurements were compared with real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), yielding a correlation coefficient of 0.6038 with statistical significance (p < 0.01). These findings demonstrate the potential of portable, ligand-free optical spectroscopy for rapid SARS-CoV-2 detection at the point of care.
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spelling doaj-art-7faab866c4df410f8fd4404986b1d1ed2025-08-20T04:00:43ZengElsevierBiosensors and Bioelectronics: X2590-13702025-10-012610066310.1016/j.biosx.2025.100663Optimization of a portable ligand-free optical spectroscopy method for SARS-CoV-2 protein detectionFatin Hamimi Mustafa0Nik Yusnoraini Yusof1Mawaddah Mohd Azlan2Fariza Hanim Suhailin3Chan Yean Yean4Nik Mohd Noor Nik Zuraina5Mohd Zulkifli Salleh6Hironaga Uchida7Irneza Ismail8Rosline Hassan9Raja Kamarulzaman Raja Ibrahim10Mohd Adzir Mahdi11Department of Electronic &amp; Computer Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia; Corresponding author.Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia Health Campus, Kubang Kerian, 16150, Kelantan, MalaysiaInstitute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia Health Campus, Kubang Kerian, 16150, Kelantan, MalaysiaDepartment of Physics, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai, Johor, Malaysia; Laser Center, Ibnu Sina Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research (ISI-SIR), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai, Johor Bahru, MalaysiaDepartment of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, MalaysiaDepartment of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, MalaysiaDepartment of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, MalaysiaDepartment of Electrical and Electronic Information Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Toyohashi University of Technology, JapanDepartment Electrical &amp; Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Bandar Baru Nilai, 71800, Negeri Sembilan, MalaysiaDepartment of Hematology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, MalaysiaDepartment of Physics, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai, Johor, Malaysia; Laser Center, Ibnu Sina Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research (ISI-SIR), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai, Johor Bahru, MalaysiaWireless and Photonic Networks Research Centre, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang 43400, Selangor, MalaysiaThe rapid spread of COVID-19 has underscored the need for fast, portable, and reliable diagnostic tools. Conventional techniques such as polymerase chain reaction and emerging biosensors like surface plasmon resonance require complex procedures for ligand development and immobilization, which often involve probes, antibodies, or aptamers. This study proposes a ligand-free detection strategy based on optical spectroscopy for the rapid identification of the SARS-CoV-2 protein. The detection workflow includes two key phases: optimization and clinical validation. In the optimization phase, transmittance spectral measurements were conducted on SARS-CoV-2 protein to determine the optimal wavelength within the ultraviolet–visible–near infrared range (200–1100 nm). The most effective fiber configuration was also evaluated using three combinations of transmitter–receiver fiber diameters: 600–400 μm, 600–100 μm, and 200–400 μm. The optimal detection parameters were identified as 275 nm for wavelength and 600–400 μm for fiber configuration. Specificity testing confirmed complete discrimination between SARS-CoV-2 protein and other proteins, including SARS-CoV and rBmSXP, with 100 % specificity. Subsequently, clinical validation was conducted on 21 patients using the optimized parameters. Optical spectroscopy measurements were compared with real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), yielding a correlation coefficient of 0.6038 with statistical significance (p < 0.01). These findings demonstrate the potential of portable, ligand-free optical spectroscopy for rapid SARS-CoV-2 detection at the point of care.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590137025000901COVID-19SARS-CoV-2 proteinLigand-freeOptical spectroscopyOptical system optimizationCOVID-19 clinical measurements
spellingShingle Fatin Hamimi Mustafa
Nik Yusnoraini Yusof
Mawaddah Mohd Azlan
Fariza Hanim Suhailin
Chan Yean Yean
Nik Mohd Noor Nik Zuraina
Mohd Zulkifli Salleh
Hironaga Uchida
Irneza Ismail
Rosline Hassan
Raja Kamarulzaman Raja Ibrahim
Mohd Adzir Mahdi
Optimization of a portable ligand-free optical spectroscopy method for SARS-CoV-2 protein detection
Biosensors and Bioelectronics: X
COVID-19
SARS-CoV-2 protein
Ligand-free
Optical spectroscopy
Optical system optimization
COVID-19 clinical measurements
title Optimization of a portable ligand-free optical spectroscopy method for SARS-CoV-2 protein detection
title_full Optimization of a portable ligand-free optical spectroscopy method for SARS-CoV-2 protein detection
title_fullStr Optimization of a portable ligand-free optical spectroscopy method for SARS-CoV-2 protein detection
title_full_unstemmed Optimization of a portable ligand-free optical spectroscopy method for SARS-CoV-2 protein detection
title_short Optimization of a portable ligand-free optical spectroscopy method for SARS-CoV-2 protein detection
title_sort optimization of a portable ligand free optical spectroscopy method for sars cov 2 protein detection
topic COVID-19
SARS-CoV-2 protein
Ligand-free
Optical spectroscopy
Optical system optimization
COVID-19 clinical measurements
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590137025000901
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