Low-Cost and Disposable Electrochemical Paper-Based Analytical Device (PAD) for Escherichia coli O157:H7.

Diagnostic assays for developing countries have a prerequisite of low-cost along with high sensitivity and specificity. Paper, a commonly available material, provides a great economical and portable platform for fabricating biosensors. The present work focuses on the fabrication of a paper-based analytical device (PAD) using commonly accessible materials. The electrodes have been drawn using a pencil followed by filling with in-house prepared graphite ink and the barrier wall around the detection/sample zone has been prepared using a glue gun. The PAD has been developed in 2-dimensional (2D) and 3-dimensional (3D) designs. The principle of antibody-antigen interactions has been used for the realization of an economical and highly selective paper-based biosensor for E. coli O157:H7, paving way for economically weaker sections of the society to monitor their health. The electrochemical measurement results on paper substrate have turned out to be highly promising for the advancement of paper-based point-of-care (POC) diagnostics for pathogens like E. coli O157:H7. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]