Electrochemical monitoring of alcohol in sweat

• Published in: Talanta (Oxford) 2021-03, Vol.224, p.121815-121815, Article 121815
• Main Authors: Biscay, Julien, Findlay, Ewan, Dennany, Lynn
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alcohol; Artificial sweat; Biological matrices; Biosensing Techniques; Electrochemical sensing; Electrochemical Techniques; Electrodes; Ethanol; Reusable device; Sweat
• ISSN: 0039-9140; 1873-3573
• DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2020.121815

Rapid, periodic monitoring and detection of ethanol (EtOH) after consumption via a non-invasive measurement has been an area of increased research in recent years. Current point-of-care or on-site detection strategies rely on single use sensors which are inadequate for monitoring during a longer period. A low cost, portable and novel approach is developed here for real-time monitoring over several days utilising electrochemical techniques. The sensor shows oxidation of the ethanol in phosphate buffer and artificial sweat using the amperometric response from the application of +0.9 V to the polyaniline modified screen printed electrode using 1 mM EtOH as the averaged amount of EtOH eliminated in sweat after the consumption of one alcoholic beverage. Our enzyme based electrochemical sensor exhibits a qualitative assessment of the presence of EtOH in small volumes (≤40 μL) of 0.1 M sodium bicarbonate and subsequently artificial sweat, with 50 measurements taken daily over 11 days. While quantitative information is not obtained, the sensor system exhibits excellent stability after 3 months’ dried storage in this complex biological matrix in an oxygen free cabinet. This addresses one of the key challenges for enzyme based electrochemical sensors, namely, the ability for real-time monitoring in complex biological matrices. The qualitative response illustrates the potential for this sensor to be exploited by non-experts which suggests the promise for their wider application in next-generation wearable electronics necessary for alcohol monitoring. [Display omitted] •Continuous Electrochemical Monitoring of Alcohol in Sweat.•Continuous electrochemical detection and monitoring of EtOH.•Direct analysis of complex biological matrices without sample preparation required.•Non invasive sampling from skin for qualitative identification of EtOH presence.•Low cost portable sensor to fill current gap in current continuous monitoring of EtOH.