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Improving the performance and versatility of microfluidic thread electroanalytical devices by automated injection with electronic pipettes: a new and powerful 3D-printed analytical platform

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Abstract

Microfluidic cotton thread-based electroanalytical devices (μTEDs) are analytical systems with attractive features such as spontaneous passive flow, low cost, minimal waste production, and good sensitivity. Currently, sample injection in µTEDs is performed by hand using manual micropipettes, which have drawbacks such as inconstant speed and position, dependence of skilled analysts, and need of physical effort of operator during prolonged times, leading to poor reproducibility and risk of strain injury. As an alternative to these inconveniences, we propose, for the first time, the use of electronic micropipettes to carry out automated injections in µTEDs. This new approach avoids all disadvantages of manual injections, while also improving the performance, experience, and versatility of µTEDs. The platform developed here is composed by three 3D-printed electrodes (detector) attached to a 3D-printed platform containing an adjustable holder that keeps the electronic pipette in the same x/y/z position. As a proof-of-concept, both injection modes (manual and electronic) were compared using three model analytes (nitrite, paracetamol, and 5-hydroxytryptophan) on µTED with amperometric detection. As result, improved analytical performance (limits of detection between 2.5- and 5-fold lower) was obtained when using electronic injections, as well as better repeatability/reproducibility and higher analytical frequencies. In addition, the determination of paracetamol in urine samples suggested better precision and accuracy for automated injection. Thus, electronic injection is a great advance and changes the state-of-art of µTEDs, mainly considering the use of more modern and versatile electronic pipettes (wider range of pre-programmed modes), which can lead to the development of even more automated systems.

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Funding

Authors would like to thank the financial support given by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)—grant n° 407581/2021–9, Fundação de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento do Ensino, Ciência e Tecnologia do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul (FUNDECT)—process nº 71/032.955/2022, and Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior—Brasil (CAPES)—Finance code 001.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Mato Grosso Do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, 79074-460, Brazil

    Natália Canhete de Moraes, Rayan Marcel Carvalho, Valdir Souza Ferreira, Jacqueline Marques Petroni & Bruno Gabriel Lucca

  2. Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, 38400-902, Brazil

    Rodrigo Amorim Bezerra da Silva

  3. Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Uberlândia, Monte Carmelo, MG, 38500-000, Brazil

    Edmar Isaias de Melo

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  1. Natália Canhete de Moraes
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  2. Rayan Marcel Carvalho
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  3. Valdir Souza Ferreira
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  4. Rodrigo Amorim Bezerra da Silva
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  5. Edmar Isaias de Melo
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  6. Jacqueline Marques Petroni
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  7. Bruno Gabriel Lucca
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Correspondence to Bruno Gabriel Lucca.

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de Moraes, N.C., Carvalho, R.M., Ferreira, V.S. et al. Improving the performance and versatility of microfluidic thread electroanalytical devices by automated injection with electronic pipettes: a new and powerful 3D-printed analytical platform. Microchim Acta 190, 461 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-023-06026-0

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