Single-use Microneedle Biosensor for Detecting Clinically Relevant Glucose in Interstitial Fluid

Khaled Mohammed Saifullah; Zahra Faraji Rad

doi:10.1016/j.bios.2026.118387

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Single-use Microneedle Biosensor for Detecting Clinically Relevant Glucose in Interstitial Fluid

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Single-use Microneedle Biosensor for Detecting Clinically Relevant Glucose in Interstitial Fluid

Khaled Mohammed Saifullah and Zahra Faraji Rad

Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Vol.297, pp.1-7

2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2026.118387

PMID: 41534346

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Abstract

Electrochemical sensing

Glucose biosensor

Interstitial fluid

Point-of-care diagnostics

Screen-printed electrodes

Swellable microneedles

Effective diabetes management is increasingly shifting toward minimally invasive technologies that enable frequent and reliable assessment of glucose levels in interstitial fluid (ISF), enabling more informed and patient-centered monitoring. However, current approaches to glucose detection rely heavily on invasive blood-based glucometers or complex wearable devices for continuous monitoring. This study introduces a complete biosensing system using a novel swellable biocompatible microneedle (MN) array combined with chemically modified screen-printed electrodes (SPEs). Optimization of ISF collection was achieved using a customized applicator with variable vibration, which resulted in ISF uptake of 6.55 ± 0.47 μL (0 Hz) and 7.06 ± 0.44 μL (100 Hz) within 5 minutes of application. The Prussian Blue/chitosan-SWCNT/GOx/Nafion-modified SPE shows excellent sensitivity of 12.26 μA mM-1 cm-2, a detection limit of 0.08 mM, and high selectivity against common ISF interferents. In vitro and ex vivo validation across clinically relevant glucose concentrations showed strong linearity (R2 = 0.989 and 0.978, respectively), with recovery exceeding 70% in vitro and 50% ex vivo compared with a commercial glucometer. This minimally invasive MN SPE platform enables reliable glucose quantification from microliter ISF volumes and shows strong potential for future multi-biomarker, point-of-care monitoring.

Details

Title: Single-use Microneedle Biosensor for Detecting Clinically Relevant Glucose in Interstitial Fluid
Authors: Khaled Mohammed Saifullah - University of Southern Queensland
Zahra Faraji Rad (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Publication details: Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Vol.297, pp.1-7
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date published: 2026
DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2026.118387
ISSN: 1873-4235
PMID: 41534346
Data Availability: Data will be made available on request.
Grant note: Zahra Faraji Rad has patent # PCT/AU2023/050626 issued to University of Southern Queensland.
Organisation Unit: School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991199344402621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Biophysics; Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology; Chemistry, Analytical; Electrochemistry; Nanoscience & Nanotechnology