Recent advances in electrochemical sensors for vitamin sensing: toward point-of-care micronutrient assessment

Abstract

Micronutrients, including vitamins and minerals, are essential for maintaining normal health. Micronutrient deficiency can lead to various health complications. Assessing micronutrient levels is crucial, as early and routine micronutrient assessment and supplementation can help prevent deficiencies. Current assessment methods, such as Immunoassays, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-ultra-violet (UV) spectroscopy/fluorescence detection (FLD), liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and similar techniques, are sophisticated, expensive, time-consuming, and require trained professionals. These limitations have prompted the development of point-of-care (POC) micronutrient screening devices that are simple, quick, reliable, and cost-effective. Electrochemical biosensors are one of the most promising analytical platforms for healthcare and other applications. This review focuses on the recent advances in electrochemical biosensors for vitamin sensing. It covers various types of electrochemical biosensors, including amperometric, potentiometric, and impedimetric biosensors, and discusses challenges associated with biosensors for potential use in healthcare as a routine vitamin assessment method.

Fig. 1

Classification of Vitamins based on solubility

Fig. 2

Annual trends in electrochemical biosensor research: a comparative analysis of general and healthcare-focused publications. Copyright © Sumeyra Savas Feb 2025

Fig. 3

(i) Simultaneous detection of Vitamin B12 and Vitamin C, a 3 channel LIG-C-BPE-ECL system having Vitamin B12 = 0.5 nM, Luminol = 4 mM, Vitamin C = 1 μM and PBS = 0.1 M, applied voltage = 7 V, b Vitamin B12 = 100 nM, Vitamin C = 100 M, c Vitamin B12 = 300 nM, Vitamin C = 300uM, d Vitamin B12 = 500 nM, Vitamin C = 500 μM, e Vitamin B12 = 1000 nM, Vitamin C = 1000 M, f Bar graph for vitamin B12 Vs ECL intensity (RLU), g Bar graph for vitamin C vs. ECL intensity (RLU), Error bar represents standard deviation for three experiment Copyright © Elsevier (ii) DPV curves at GC/MWCNTs-Mn^IIIsalen with consecutive additions of vitamin B2 (A) or vitamin B6 (B). C DPV curves at GC/MWCNTs -Mn^IIIsalen with consecutive additions of vitamin B2 in presence of 20.0 μM of vitamin B6. D DPV curves at GC/MWCNTs-Mn^IIIsalen with consecutive additions of vitamin B6 in presence of 20.0 μM of vitamin B2. Inset of A and B represents the calibration plot for the determination of vitamin B2 and B6, respectively (in 0.1 M pH 7.0 phosphate buffer).Copyright © Elsevier (iii) ZnO thin film based sensing device-1′ × 1′ substrate size can produce 35 devices along with I–V Plot for various concentration of VB6 (Pyridoxine)