Deep Eutectic Solvent Electrochemical Probes for Field-Stable Enzyme Assays
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Enzyme-based electrochemical assays face challenges in surviving harsh field conditions due to freezing or evaporation of aqueous buffers, leading to short enzyme lifetimes and limited robustness for unattended field operations.
Innovation Solution
The use of deep eutectic solvents replaces a portion of traditional aqueous buffer, enhancing enzyme stability by elevating boiling point, depressing freezing point, and reducing vapor pressure, while maintaining enzyme activity and allowing target vapor diffusion, packaged in a compact disposable probe with a disposable screen-printed electrode and optional plastic separator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional aqueous buffer is used to maintain enzyme activity, then enzyme activity is preserved, but the buffer freezes or evaporates in field conditions, inactivating the enzyme
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the buffer system by replacing traditional aqueous buffer with a deep eutectic solvent system. This solvent system has fundamentally different properties: elevated boiling point, depressed freezing point, and reduced vapor pressure, while still maintaining the ability to preserve enzyme activity and allow target vapor diffusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite solvent system composed of multiple components (deep eutectic solvent) that combines the benefits of extended temperature range stability with enzyme-compatible properties. This composite material approach allows the buffer to simultaneously provide freeze protection, evaporation resistance, and enzyme activity maintenance.
2Reliability
If aqueous buffer is used, then enzyme activity is maintained, but the lifetime of hydrated enzymes is short
Solution Approach 1:
By changing from an aqueous environment to a deep eutectic solvent environment, the patent extends the operational lifetime of the enzyme. The altered solvent parameters (viscosity, polarity, hydrogen bonding network) create a more stable environment that reduces enzyme degradation while maintaining catalytic activity.
3Temperature
If deep eutectic solvent replaces aqueous buffer, then boiling point is elevated and freezing point is depressed, but the solvent must still allow enzyme activity and target vapor diffusion
Solution Approach 1:
The deep eutectic solvent system is specifically designed with parameters that extend the operational temperature range while maintaining enzyme compatibility. The solvent's unique properties (hydrogen bonding, polarity, viscosity) are tuned to allow enzyme function across a broader temperature spectrum.
Solution Approach 2:
The deep eutectic solvent acts as an intermediary medium that bridges the requirements for extreme temperature stability and enzyme biocompatibility. It mediates between the conflicting needs of broad temperature range operation and maintaining the specific molecular environment required for enzyme catalysis.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If deep eutectic solvent is used, then vapor pressure and volatility are reduced, but target vapors must still diffuse through the buffer
Solution Approach 1:
The deep eutectic solvent's molecular structure and physical parameters are optimized to create a balance between vapor retention and vapor permeability. The solvent's viscosity, pore structure (if applicable), and molecular spacing are tuned to allow target vapor molecules to diffuse through while preventing bulk solvent evaporation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a ruggedized probe with improved shelf life and room temperature storage, enabling reliable enzyme activity under extreme conditions, suitable for field use with any generic potentiostat, and facilitating rapid enzyme rehydration for accurate organophosphate detection.
Implementation Method 1
this elevates the boiling point, depresses the freezing point, and drastically lowers the vapor pressure and volatility of the buffer
Implementation Method 2
this elevates the boiling point, depresses the freezing point, and drastically lowers the vapor pressure and volatility of the buffer
Implementation Method 3
this elevates the boiling point, depresses the freezing point, and drastically lowers the vapor pressure and volatility of the buffer
Implementation Method 4
allowing diffusion of target vapors through the buffer
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is a method for packaging electrochemical reagents and enzymes into a low cost and compact ruggedized probe, suitable for use in harsh field conditions. A deep eutectic solvent replaces a portion of traditional aqueous buffer used to maintain enzyme activity: this elevates the boiling point, depresses the freezing point, and drastically lowers the vapor pressure and volatility of the buffer while still preserving enzyme activity and allowing diffusion of target vapors through the buffer. For example, phosphotriesterase or acetylcholinesterase enzymes can be used to detect organophosphates using electrochemistry.