A Route to the Colorimetric Detection of Alpha-Fetoprotein Based on a Smartphone

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a key marker for early cancer detection and assessment. However, the current detection methods struggle to balance accuracy with the need for decentralized medical treatment. To address this issue, a new AFP analysis platform utilizing digital image colorimetry has been de...

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Main Authors: Junjie Liu, Qingfubo Geng, Zhaoxin Geng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-08-01
Series:Micromachines
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/15/9/1116
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author Junjie Liu
Qingfubo Geng
Zhaoxin Geng
author_facet Junjie Liu
Qingfubo Geng
Zhaoxin Geng
author_sort Junjie Liu
collection DOAJ
description Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a key marker for early cancer detection and assessment. However, the current detection methods struggle to balance accuracy with the need for decentralized medical treatment. To address this issue, a new AFP analysis platform utilizing digital image colorimetry has been developed. Functionalized gold nanoparticles act as colorimetric agents, changing from purple-red to light gray-blue when exposed to different AFP concentrations. A smartphone app captures these color changes and calculates the AFP concentration in the sample. To improve detection accuracy, a hardware device ensures uniform illumination. Testing has confirmed that this system can quantitatively analyze AFP using colorimetry. The limit of detection reached 0.083 ng/mL, and the average accuracy reached 90.81%. This innovative method enhances AFP testing by offering portability, precision, and low cost, making it particularly suitable for resource-limited areas.
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publisher MDPI AG
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series Micromachines
spelling doaj-art-fa7189f694b74e75ba2cdf5b4848e08f2025-08-20T01:55:41ZengMDPI AGMicromachines2072-666X2024-08-01159111610.3390/mi15091116A Route to the Colorimetric Detection of Alpha-Fetoprotein Based on a SmartphoneJunjie Liu0Qingfubo Geng1Zhaoxin Geng2School of Information Engineering, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, ChinaSchool of Information Engineering, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, ChinaSchool of Information Engineering, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, ChinaAlpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a key marker for early cancer detection and assessment. However, the current detection methods struggle to balance accuracy with the need for decentralized medical treatment. To address this issue, a new AFP analysis platform utilizing digital image colorimetry has been developed. Functionalized gold nanoparticles act as colorimetric agents, changing from purple-red to light gray-blue when exposed to different AFP concentrations. A smartphone app captures these color changes and calculates the AFP concentration in the sample. To improve detection accuracy, a hardware device ensures uniform illumination. Testing has confirmed that this system can quantitatively analyze AFP using colorimetry. The limit of detection reached 0.083 ng/mL, and the average accuracy reached 90.81%. This innovative method enhances AFP testing by offering portability, precision, and low cost, making it particularly suitable for resource-limited areas.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/15/9/1116biosensorcolorimetric detectionmicrofluidics
spellingShingle Junjie Liu
Qingfubo Geng
Zhaoxin Geng
A Route to the Colorimetric Detection of Alpha-Fetoprotein Based on a Smartphone
Micromachines
biosensor
colorimetric detection
microfluidics
title A Route to the Colorimetric Detection of Alpha-Fetoprotein Based on a Smartphone
title_full A Route to the Colorimetric Detection of Alpha-Fetoprotein Based on a Smartphone
title_fullStr A Route to the Colorimetric Detection of Alpha-Fetoprotein Based on a Smartphone
title_full_unstemmed A Route to the Colorimetric Detection of Alpha-Fetoprotein Based on a Smartphone
title_short A Route to the Colorimetric Detection of Alpha-Fetoprotein Based on a Smartphone
title_sort route to the colorimetric detection of alpha fetoprotein based on a smartphone
topic biosensor
colorimetric detection
microfluidics
url https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/15/9/1116
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