A DEVICE FOR VISUAL DETECTION OF BILIRUBIN

Abstract

The present invention discloses a diagnostic device or kit for visual detection of bilirubin. Said diagnostic device or kit comprises chitosan stabilized gold nanoclusters based luminescence source, Cu.sup.2+ ions source for quenching luminescence intensity of said gold nanoclusters and recovery of quenched luminescence intensity in the presence of bilirubin. The said device enables non-invasive detection of hyper-bilirubinemia by thumb impression visually or from blood serum.

Claims

1. A diagnostic device or kit for visual detection of bilirubin comprising: chitosan stabilized gold nanoclusters based luminescence source; Cu.sup.2+ ions source for quenching luminescence intensity of said gold nanoclusters and recovery of quenched luminescence intensity in the presence of bilirubin.

2. A diagnostic device or kit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said chitosan stabilized gold nanoclusters comprise film of chitosan stabilized fluorescent gold nanoclusters; said Cu.sup.2+ ions source comprise copper salt; a UV source; and variable luminescence intensity based visual indications based on Cu.sup.2+ ions source based quenched luminescence intensity of said gold nanoclusters usually luminescent yellow orange in presence of UV light; and recovery of thus quenched luminescence intensity in the presence of bilirubin.

3. A diagnostic device or kit of claim 1, comprising said luminescence intensity quenching by Cu.sup.2+ ions source in the absence of bilirubin and luminescence intensity recovery values in the presence of bilirubin are indicated visually by a variable luminescence intensity detector corresponding to indications on presence or absence and also level of bilirubin in samples including in blood serum and/or in skin.

4. A diagnostic device or kit of claim 1, comprising: a polymer membrane strip based bilirubin indicator comprising luminescent chitosan stabilized gold nanoclusters embedded in biopolymer film and Cu.sup.2+ ions source for quenching luminescence intensity of the gold nanoclusters on said strip and indications on recovery of quenched luminescence intensity in presence of bilirubin in liquid or solid phase by forming complex with the bilirubin.

5. A diagnostic device or kit of claim 1, wherein said chitosan stabilized gold nanoclusters are formed on film or polymer strip involving a chitosan stabilized gold nanoclusters solution obtained of aqueous solution of HAuCl.sub.4, chitosan, glacial acetic acid and mercaptopropionic acid having a pH of less than 2.5.

6. A diagnostic device or kit of claim 1, wherein said chitosan stabilized gold nanoclusters comprise a film or casted upon polymeric membrane preferably polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) membrane which is treatable with said Cu.sup.2+ ions source preferably CuSo.sub.4 solution.

7. A diagnostic device or kit of claim 1, comprising: a support platform for said chitosan stabilized gold nanoclusters based luminescence source on film or polymer membrane strip adapted for said bilirubin test sample in liquid including bilirubin source in water or blood serum or in solid form contact including body/thumb (palm) contact of individual with said chitosan stabilized gold nanoclusters; said Cu.sup.2+ ions source treated said chitosan stabilized gold nanoclusters for indicating absence or presence including level of bilirubin based on variable luminescence intensity based on any complex formed with Cu.sup.2+ ions with bilirubin in said sample.

8. The diagnostic device or kit as claimed in claim 7, comprising a touch pad for providing said polymer membrane strip in contact with thumb of the person and allowing solid phase bilirubin in thumb skin to form the complex with the Cu.sup.2+ ions on said gold nanoclusters in case of bilirubin presence and thereby recovering the luminescence intensity of the strip indicating hyper-bilirubinemia.

9. The diagnostic device or kit of claim 1, wherein sensitivity level for bilirubin detection is 0.0064 mg/dL using blood serum and that for bilirubin in water being 0.058 mg/dL.

10. The diagnostic device or kit of claim 1, wherein the thumb imprint on the polymer membrane strip leading to luminescence intensity recovery of the strip corresponds to bilirubin concentration of at least 6.2 mg/dL indicating hyper-bilirubinemia.

11. A process for manufacturing diagnostic device or kit of claim 1, comprising providing chitosan stabilized gold nanoclusters based luminescence source; providing Cu.sup.2+ ions source for quenching luminescence intensity of said gold nanoclusters; and providing UV source for generating luminescence from said Cu.sup.2+ ions source treated chitosan stabilized gold nanoclusters for measuring any recovery of quenched luminescence intensity in the presence of bilirubin.

12. A process of claim 11, wherein said step of providing said chitosan stabilized gold nanoclusters based luminescence source comprises: preparing chitosan stabilized gold nanoclusters by adding aqueous solution of HAuCl.sub.4 to chitosan followed by addition of mercaptopropionic acid and adjusting pH of resulting solution below 2.5; preparing chitosan stabilized gold nanoclusters film by drop-casting the resulting solution of the chitosan stabilized gold nanoclusters on the polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) membrane strip; and providing said Cu source comprises providing aqueous solution of copper salt including 0.2 mL CuS0.sub.4 (50.2 mM) solution.

13. The process of claim 11, wherein said step of preparing chitosan stabilized gold nanoclusters comprises 1.2 mL of aqueous solution of 10 mM HAuCl.sub.4 added to 20 mL of 0.5% (w/v) chitosan under stirring condition with subsequent addition of 0.8 mL mercaptopropionic acid (0.11 M) under 30 minutes continuous stirring for preparing the chitosan stabilized gold nanoclusters.

14. The process of claim 11, wherein the preparation of the chitosan stabilized gold nanoclusters film includes pouring synthesized gold nanocluster solution onto a petri dish and allowing to dry overnight in an oven to form the film.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES

[0031] FIG. 1 is a photographic illustration of gold nanocluster coated polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) as visualized under UV lamp with excitation at 254 nm, in accordance with the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 2 is a photographic illustration of the gold nanocluster coated PVDF membrane as observed using 254 nm UV light, following addition of copper sulphate solution, in accordance with the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 3 shows Bilirubin treated film as viewed using 254 nm UV light in accordance with the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 4 shows photographic illustration of luminescence intensity under UV light excitation of (A) The PVDF membrane coated with gold nanoclusters, (B) The same membrane after addition of copper salt and (c) The film in (B) after addition of water.

[0035] FIG. 5 shows (A) gradual fluorescence intensity quenching of gold nanoclusters on gradual addition of Cu.sup.2+ and (B) corresponding Stern-Volmer plot, in accordance with the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 6 shows (A) a steady State luminescence study in solution phase, (B) Result (luminescence) of the same experiment carried out with water and (C) Result (luminescence) of the same experiment carried out with bilirubin in absence of Cu.sup.2+.

[0037] FIG. 7 shows graphs for (A) gradual luminescence intensity recovery of gold nanoclusters otherwise quenched in presence of Cu.sup.2+ and (B) gradual increase of normalized luminescence intensity of the Cu.sup.2+ quenched gold nanoclusters solution after addition of bilirubin.

[0038] FIG. 8 shows fluorescence intensity quenching of Au NCs in presence of Cu.sup.2+ followed by recovery of the same on addition of serum containing bilirubin exceeding normal range.

[0039] FIG. 9 shows (A) photograph of copper salt treated gold nanocluster film and (B) the same film after thumb impression of a jaundice patient.

[0040] FIG. 10 shows photograph of copper salt treated gold nanocluster film following thumb impression of a volunteer not affected with hyperbilirubinemia.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES

[0041] The present invention discloses a device for visual detection of bilirubin and method for fabricating the same. The device for visual detection of bilirubin of the present invention is highly sensitive, versatile and robust film-strip based luminescent indicator for detecting and marking excess bilirubin deposition on the human skin as well as in blood serum.

[0042] The present device basically comprises chitosan stabilized gold nanoclusters based luminescence source preferably in a form polymer membrane strip having luminescent chitosan stabilized gold nanoclusters embedded in biopolymer film and Cu.sup.2+ ions source for treating the strip with Cu.sup.2+ ions for quenching luminescence intensity of the strip.

[0043] The polymer membrane strip of chitosan stabilized fluorescent gold nanocluster (Au NCs) before treating with the Cu.sup.2+ ions appears as luminescent yellow in the presence of UV light. The luminescence intensity of the strip is quenched after treating the strip with aqueous solution of copper salt having Cu.sup.2+ ions such as copper sulfate solution and the quenched luminescence intensity is again recovered when the Cu.sup.2+ ions treated strip comes in contact with solid or liquid medium having bilirubin.

[0044] In presence of bilirubin (BR) in solid or liquid phase of the medium that comes in contact with the strip, the luminescence intensity of the strip is restored and the intensity restoration amount depends on the concentration of the bilirubin present in the medium that comes in contact with the strip.

[0045] In the present invention, the bilirubin indicating polymer membrane strip is involved to design a diagnostic kit for ready and easy detection of bilirubin content in a person. The kit embodiment basically includes a support platform having thereon said polymer membrane strip based bilirubin indicator. An input means also provided on the kit platform which facilitates the application of blood serum of the person on the polymer membrane strip for allowing liquid phase bilirubin in the blood serum to form the complex (CuBR, A 1:1 complex between copper and bilirubin) with the Cu.sup.2+ ions of the strip and thereby recovering the luminescence intensity of the strip indicating presence on the bilirubin.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment of the present diagnostic kit a touch pad is incorporated for providing the bilirubin indicating polymer membrane strip in contact with thumb skin of the person and allowing solid phase bilirubin deposited in thumb skin to come in contact with the strip and form the complex with the Cu.sup.2+ ions which recovers the luminescence intensity of the strip indicating the hyperbilirubinemia condition.

[0047] The diagnostic kit also comprises intensity detector device for measuring recovered luminescence intensity of the polymer membrane strip. The recovered intensity is detected in presence of UV light after addition of the bilirubin in relation to reduced luminescence intensity of the strip in the presence of copper ions. The bilirubin concentration is determined based on variation of the recovered luminescence intensity with respect to the reduced luminescence intensity.

Preparation of Chitosan-Stabilized Gold Nanoclusters

[0048] Gold nanoclusters were prepared by first adding 1.2 mL of aqueous solution of HAuCl.sub.4 (10 mM) to 20 mL of 0.5% (w/v) chitosan (which was solubilized using 0.1% glacial acetic acid) under stirring condition. This was followed by addition of 0.8 mL mercaptopropionic acid (0.11 M). Stirring was continued for 30 minutes and the pH of the resulting solution was adjusted below 2.5.

[0049] In the present device, the biocompatible and non-immunogenic nature of chitosan makes it an ideal platform for sensing purposes. Moreover, the non-toxic nature of gold (in the form of clusters) may also permit its usage for the said objective.

Preparation of Gold Nanocluster Containing Membrane Strip or Film:

[0050] The medium or resulting solution (30 mL) containing as-synthesized gold nanocluster was poured onto a petri dish (Tarsons, disposable sterile petridish) and was then allowed to dry overnight in an oven at 55 C. A film was formed with the approximate dimension of 33 cm.sup.2. The intrinsic luminescent properties of gold nanoclusters remained intact after the formation of the film. The film had yellow-orange luminescence upon excitation with 254 nm UV light. The film could be picked up easily with tweezers.

[0051] In a similar way, the as-prepared gold nanoclusters (1 mL) were drop-cast on an approximately 33 cm.sup.2 polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) membrane [FIG. 1] and the coated membrane was used for further experiments.

Coating of the Gold Nanocluster Containing Film with Copper Sulphate:

[0052] The gold nanocluster coated polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) was treated with 0.2 mL CuS0.sub.4 (50.2 mM) solution. The film was then dried in the air for 30 min and was observed under UV light. The luminescence intensity of the film got substantially reduced (upon exposure to 254 nm UV light) following addition of the copper salt [FIG. 2].

Interaction of Bilirubin Solution with Copper Sulphate Added Gold Nanocluster Containing Film:

[0053] A 0.2 mL aqueous solution of bilirubin (1.1 mg/dL) was added to gold nanocluster containing film which was previously treated with 0.2 mL of CuS04 (50.2 mM) solution. The film was then dried for 30 min and then was viewed using UV light. Recovery of the yellow-orange luminescence of the film was observed [FIG. 3]. The intense yellow-orange color indicated recovery of luminescence of the film.

[0054] Control experiment with addition of water instead of bilirubin showed little or no effect on the luminescence intensity recovery of the nanoclusters under similar conditions [FIG. 4]. The observation further confirmed that bilirubin was instrumental in the luminescence intensity restoration of the gold nanoclusters.

Solution Phase Assay of Bilirubin Using the Luminescence of Gold Nanoclusters:

[0055] The liquid phase assay of bilirubin provided an alternative for high sensitivity detection using the luminescence of the gold nanoclusters. This was achieved by the quenching of photoluminescence of gold nanoclusters by copper ions, followed by recovery of the same upon addition of bilirubin to the system.

[0056] For studying the interaction of copper ions with luminescent gold nanoclusters, 0.02 mL of copper sulfate solution (12.5 mg/mL) was gradually added to luminescent gold nanoclusters (0.1 mL in 0.7 mL of glycine buffer maintained at pH<2.5) till the intensity of luminescence stopped changing [FIG. 5 (A)]. Corresponding Stern-Volmer plot was obtained as shown in [FIG. 5(B)]. As shown in FIG. 5(B), I.sub.0 is the luminescence intensity of as-synthesized gold nanoclusters and I is the reduced luminescence intensity of the same on subsequent addition of Cu.sup.2+ ions. Au NCs means gold nanoclusters.

Interaction of Gold Nanoclusters with Copper Ions and Bilirubin:

[0057] For studying the interaction of gold nanoclusters with copper ions and bilirubin, the stabilized gold nanoclusters membrane strip (prepared with 0.1 mL gold nanocluster solution in 0.7 mL of glycine buffer; total volume was 0.8 mL) was treated with 0.1 mL of copper ions (12.5 mg/mL). This caused quenching in luminescence intensity of nanoclusters in the strip. The resulting strip was subsequently treated with bilirubin (1.1 mg/dL). This led to recovery in lost luminescence intensity of the clusters in the strip [FIG. 6(A)]. Control experiments were performed with water [FIG. 6(B) and bilirubin FIG. 6(C)]. Little recovery in intensity of nanoclusters was observed upon addition of water. Whereas in case of bilirubin, the same volume as that of water, caused full recovery in luminescence intensity of the nanoclusters. In case of only bilirubin i.e. without copper added, there was no apparent change in the luminance intensity.

[0058] This marks the essentiality of copper as well as bilirubin for the aforementioned process of quenching and recovery to occur.

[0059] Similar experiment was performed with different concentration of copper ion and bilirubin [FIG. 7(A)] and corresponding Stern-Volmer plot of recovery of luminescence was obtained [FIG. 7 (B)]. Another set of experiments was performed in a similar manner to determine the efficiency of bilirubin detection using considerably higher concentration of copper ions. The sensitivity of bilirubin detection using concentration of copper ions as high as that of 477.33 mg/dL was found to be 0.84 mg/dL. The recovery of luminescence intensity of the nanoclusters by bilirubin with respect to copper ions followed an exponential fitting.

[0060] Also, similar experiment was performed with blood serum of patents affected with hyperbilirubinemia (6.4 mg/dL as per clinical report). The result indicated substantial recovery of luminescence intensity of gold nanoclusters otherwise quenched in the presence of Cu.sup.2+ ions. The best sensitivity of bilirubin detection in the said assay was found to be 0.0064 mg/dL [FIG. 8].

Thumb Impression Analysis on Copper Salt Treated Gold Nanocluster Film

[0061] A volunteer affected with jaundice (bilirubin level 6.2 mg/dL) measured using conventional technique as well as the current solution based technique) gave his thumb impression on the CuS0.sub.4 solution treated stabilized gold nanocluster containing film [FIG. 9 (A)]. The thumb impression was recorded for a time period of 5 minutes. This had resulted in recovery of luminescence which was clearly observed under UV light [FIG. 9 (B)]. Appropriate protocol was followed for recording of the thumb impression.

[0062] Control experiment was performed with the thumb impression of a volunteer with no indication of higher bilirubin level, which had no or little effect on the intensity of copper salt and gold cluster containing film [FIG. 10].

[0063] Thus, the present invention discloses a novel and advanced nanotechnology-based fast and easy device and method for detecting bilirubin level in a person and simultaneously identifying hyperbilirubinemia condition in the person in non-invasive manner. The method invented circumvents the need of blood test for fast analysis and uses primarily thumb impression for identification of hyperbilirubinemia. It is inexpensive and versatile as the analysis can be performed without the need of a typical pathological laboratory setup.

[0064] The method advantageously involves the use of luminescent gold nanocluster film, the intensity of which was effectively quenched in the presence of copper salt. The detection method relied on the recovery of luminescent intensity in the presence of bilirubin. The change in intensity was equally effective in liquid medium as well as in the solid phase. Thus facile detection of bilirubin was possible using blood serum as well as through thumb impression. The best sensitivity of detection of bilirubin in the liquid phase was 0.0064 mg/dL and that in the solid phase was achieved with the concentration of blood bilirubin in serum of the affected patient being 6.2 mg/dL (as per clinical report).

[0065] In addition, the liquid phase detection provides a background free high sensitivity method and relying on this it is possible to successfully detect excess bilirubin present in blood serum down to a sensitivity of 0.0064 mg/dL. This is less than the limit of detection using conventional methods, which are generally used in the pathological laboratories.

[0066] In a nutshell, the device of the present invention is superior to the commonly practiced method as it enables prompt, easy and precise detection of bilirubin level in human body and the condition of jaundice and could be used by common mass.