Nanostructured gold deposited in gelatin template applied for electrochemical assay of glucose in serum

• Gold nanostructures of various shapes were fabricated by electrodeposition in gelatin template.
• Nanoscopic surface exhibited strong electrocatalytic effect towards glucose oxidation.
• LOD of 1.5 μM and linear range from 1 to 500 μM was achieved.
• Developed sensor exhibited agreat potential for glucose analysis in human blood serum.

Gelatin-templated gold nanostructures were fabricated in order to improve the sensitivity of non-enzymatic determination of glucose. The three-dimensional cavities were created by crosslinking of gelatin layer on the electrode and the specific saw tooth-like morphology of surface was formed by electrodeposition of gold through the cavities. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used for the investigation of nanostructure growth and characterization of prepared surfaces. Glucose was detected by a direct electrochemical oxidation during cyclic voltammetry in alkaline solution with excellent sensitivity of 1165 μA mM−1 cm−2, wide linear range from 32 μM to 10 mM and limit of detection (LOD) of 90 μM. During amperometric measurements LOD of 1.5 μM was achieved. The sensor was able to detect real concentrations of glucose in deproteinized human serum with negligible interference of oxidizable blood components. Great correlation with results obtained from reference methods (commercial glucometer and standard kit for photometric glucose detection) was demonstrated; the determination of glucose in serum was performed with relative standard deviation of 4%. The sensor exhibits a strong potential as a rapid and sensitive non-enzymatic approach in future applications for clinical analyses.

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