Electrochemical sensor has been developed for monitoring vitamin levels

The problem of micronutrient deficiency remains relevant for a significant part of the world’s population, leading to reduced immunity and other health issues. Until now, the main method for assessing vitamin levels was invasive blood testing, which limited the ability to regularly monitor the body’s condition. A team of researchers has developed and tested a new solution in the field of wearable electronics – a flexible body patch that can detect the concentration of six vital vitamins, including B and D, in real time.

The technological basis of the device includes a microfluidic system for collecting sweat and an array of electrodes modified with gold and carbon nanomaterials. This technical solution significantly increases the sensitivity of the device, allowing it to detect extremely small doses of beneficial substances. The built-in sensors automatically adjust the readings based on the acidity and salt content of the sweat, ensuring stable data across various physical activities. The information from the patch is transmitted to a smartphone, allowing users to instantly view changes in their biochemical profile.

During practical tests on a group of volunteers, special attention was paid to monitoring vitamin B9. The device recorded a sharp increase in the concentration of this substance within a few hours after taking the corresponding supplements or consuming certain foods. An important result of the study was the confirmation that the data obtained through sweat analysis show a high degree of coincidence with the results of traditional blood serum tests. A comparison with reference laboratory methods showed that the accuracy of the new sensor is almost identical to professional medical equipment.

The study also confirmed the dependence of the composition of biological fluids on everyday habits. For example, smokers were consistently found to have lower levels of vitamins compared to non-smokers. Despite the high accuracy achieved, scientists point out that the technology is currently designed to track general trends and patterns rather than provide a definitive diagnosis.