Researchers produce highly accurate Vitamin C nanosensor

According to Iran Nanotechnology Initiative Council (INIC), Iranian researchers from Tabriz University of Medical Sciences and Urmia University used nanotechnology to design a sensor which is able to measure low amounts of vitamin C in body and is more accurate and faster than the similar products.

The aim of the research was to design and produce a sensor based on graphene quantum dots to detect low amounts of vitamin C in blood serum and urine. The nanosensor enables quick and accurate detection of low amount of vitamin C in biological media. The nanosensor also has high selectivity for other materials existing in blood and urine.

Graphene quantum dots have been frequently used in recent years in various aspects such as bio-imaging and biosensors due to their unique optical, electrical, and chemical properties, including layer-to-layer arrangement, florescence, high storage capacity and availability of the surface functional groups.

Graphene quantum dots functionalized with beta-cyclodextrin were firstly synthesized in this research. Then, the functionalized graphene quantum dots were stabilized on glass carbon electrode. The amount of vitamin C was measured by the modified electrode in a bio-sample and it was validated by using FDA indicators. Finally, the validation method was used to measure the amount of vitamin C in blood serum and urine.

Results of the research have been published in Materials Science and Engineering C, vol. 67, 2016, pp. 666-674.