Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, 11751, Egypt.
Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Damietta, 34518, Egypt.
Anal Biochem. 2024 Nov;694:115614. doi: 10.1016/j.ab.2024.115614. Epub 2024 Jul 11.
Nasal ions environment plays a crucial role in maintaining nasal physiology and supports olfactory transmission. Addressing the limited research on nasal ion levels and their association with olfactory function, paper-based sensors were developed for determination of sodium, potassium, calcium and chloride in the nasal mucus of healthy volunteers and patients with olfactory dysfunction. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes and carbon quantum dots from beetroot were incorporated into paper substrate where sensors were designed with ion association complexes for sodium, potassium, calcium and chloride enhancing the recognition sensing capabilities. The sensors composition was optimized, including ion-exchange materials and plasticizers, to enhance sensitivity and selectivity. The performance of the sensors is evaluated based on Nernstian slope, dynamic range, detection limit and response time. Selectivity of the sensors was tested and the results demonstrated high selectivity for the target ions. The sensors were successfully determined sodium, potassium, calcium and chloride levels in nasal mucus of healthy volunteers and patients with olfactory dysfunction. The results revealed elevated calcium levels in patients with olfactory dysfunction, highlighting associated diagnostic implications. This suggests that the proposed sensors could serve as a diagnostic tool for olfactory evaluation, particularly in resource-constrained settings where access to advanced diagnostic tools is limited.
鼻腔离子环境在维持鼻腔生理学和支持嗅觉传递方面起着至关重要的作用。针对鼻腔离子水平及其与嗅觉功能关联的研究有限，本研究开发了基于纸的传感器，用于测定健康志愿者和嗅觉功能障碍患者鼻腔黏液中的钠、钾、钙和氯。从甜菜根中提取的多壁碳纳米管和碳量子点被掺入到纸基质中，在那里设计了带有离子缔合配合物的传感器，用于增强对钠、钾、钙和氯的识别传感能力。优化了传感器的组成，包括离子交换材料和增塑剂，以提高灵敏度和选择性。根据能斯特斜率、动态范围、检测限和响应时间来评估传感器的性能。测试了传感器的选择性，结果表明对目标离子具有高选择性。该传感器成功地测定了健康志愿者和嗅觉功能障碍患者鼻腔黏液中的钠、钾、钙和氯水平。结果显示，嗅觉功能障碍患者的钙水平升高，突出了相关的诊断意义。这表明，所提出的传感器可以作为嗅觉评估的诊断工具，特别是在资源有限的情况下，无法获得先进的诊断工具。
