Synthesis-free swellable hydrogel microneedles for rapid interstitial fluid extraction and on-site glucose detection via an electrochemical biosensor system

Article

Saifullah, Khaled Mohammed, Azarikhah, Pouria and Faraji Rad, Zahra Faraji. 2025. "Synthesis-free swellable hydrogel microneedles for rapid interstitial fluid extraction and on-site glucose detection via an electrochemical biosensor system." Materials Today Chemistry. 45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtchem.2025.102661
Article Title

Synthesis-free swellable hydrogel microneedles for rapid interstitial fluid extraction and on-site glucose detection via an electrochemical biosensor system

ERA Journal ID211077
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsSaifullah, Khaled Mohammed, Azarikhah, Pouria and Faraji Rad, Zahra Faraji
Journal TitleMaterials Today Chemistry
Journal Citation45
Article Number102661
Number of Pages17
Year2025
PublisherElsevier
ISSN2468-5194
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtchem.2025.102661
Web Address (URL)https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S246851942500151X
AbstractCurrent methods to detect biomarkers often involve lengthy turnaround times due to the need for blood extraction and subsequent laboratory analysis. Microneedles (MNs) offer a minimally invasive solution to access the interstitial fluid (ISF); however, they are limited by challenges such as hazardous material synthesis, insertion techniques, small ISF volumes (2–5 μL), and lengthy extraction time. This study presents a novel swellable MN patch combined with a biosensing platform to enable on-site glucose detection through an optimized applicator-assisted insertion method. The highly efficient MN patch extracts up to 7.06 ± 0.44 μL of ISF in 5 min without the typical post-processing instruments such as vacuum or suction. The extracted ISF is applied to the modified electrodes, which detect the target biomarker (glucose) with high sensitivity (9.68 μA mM −1 cm −2) and a low detection limit (0.08 mM) under optimized conditions. In addition to effectively recovering glucose molecules, the MN patch demonstrates enhanced efficiency and penetration depth, with a critical correlation established between the volume of extracted ISF and the glucose recovery rate, as validated through comprehensive in-vitro and ex-vivo tests. This MN-based biosensing approach could offer a viable alternative to traditional blood tests, glucometers, finger-prick methods, or continuous monitoring devices.
KeywordsBiomarker detection; ISF; Swellable microneedles; Skin applicator; Electrochemical biosensor; Glucose detection
Related Output
Is part ofMicroneedle-based biosensor for rapid interstitial fluid extraction and on-site glucose detection
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020400302. Biomaterials
Public Notes

This article is part of a UniSQ Thesis by publication. See Related Output.

Byline AffiliationsSchool of Engineering
Centre for Future Materials
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