Posted: September 25, 2009

Nanosensors measure insulin level for diabetic patients

(Nanowerk News) Researchers at the University of Kurdistan, Iran devised special electrochemical nanosensors to measure diabetic patients' insulin level ("Electrooxidation of insulin at silicon carbide nanoparticles modified glassy carbon electrode ").
Abdollah Salimi, one of the researchers has applied silicon carbide nanoparticles in the synthesis of the electrochemical nanosensors.
In this research, first silicon carbide nanoparticles were dispersed in ethanol, as solvent. Then a portion of this solution was placed upon a glassy carbon electrode surface.
Once the solvent was evaporated, the desired silicon carbide nanoparticles were stabilized upon the electrode. This modified electrode was used in insulin oxidation, or in other words insulin detection.
Experimental data of the research underscores the importance and effectiveness of the mentioned nanoparticles as electro-catalysts in insulin oxidation process.
By flow injection method, picomolar concenteration determination of insulin upon the surface of these electrodes is practically possible.
Besides, disturbances in insulin signals which are brought about by the presence of oxidizing species like ascorbic acid, uric acid, glucose, cholesterol, etc. are negligible in this type of sensors.
The invented nanosensor can be used in clinical and diabetes diagnostic laboratories.
Source: INTI