Chemists at St. Petersburg State University (SPbSU) have developed a sensor for the rapid determination of histamine levels in the human body. This device will help to identify the risks of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) in time, according to a press release from the university.
The study of histamine, a mediator of allergic reactions and a participant in many physiological processes, is important for the early detection of gastrointestinal diseases.
The new sensor provides a simple and cost-effective method for monitoring histamine in the body. The procedure is non-invasive — it does not require tissue punctures and allows people to independently determine the risk of developing ulcers or other gastrointestinal diseases.
The device is created on the basis of measuring instruments using special ink and an insulator substrate. The entire manufacturing process takes only about one and a half hours, allowing up to a hundred such sensors to be produced at once.
We abandoned the use of enzymes, which is usually required for the long-term storage of sensors. Nevertheless, our devices can maintain their functionality for six months. The non-invasiveness and speed of analysis make the new method convenient for use in any conditions.
According to the scientist, the significance of the work also lies in the fact that the analytical signal in electrochemical sensors was based on complexation reactions for the first time. With this approach, metal ions interact with electron "donors", which allows research to be carried out quickly and with high accuracy.
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