Raipur. An important discovery has been made in the Chemistry Department of National Institute of Technology Raipur (NIT Raipur), which has developed a revolutionary test strip. Which can check the sugar level in the human body through urine. This innovation is an important step in the field of glucose monitoring. Especially for those who are afraid of blood tests. It has been discovered by Associate Professor Dr. Kafeel Ahmed Siddiqui and his PhD student Vibhav Shukla.
Glucose levels are traditionally measured by taking a blood sample to check for diseases such as diabetes. However, high blood glucose levels can cause glycosuria, where glucose passes into the urine. Normally, glucose levels in the urine are negligible or absent, but when it is present, it often indicates diabetes or other metabolic problems. High sugar levels or hyperglycemia, if not controlled, can lead to serious health complications, affecting organs including the kidneys, nerves, heart and blood vessels.
Let’s take a look at the figures
According to the International Diabetes Federation, approximately 463 million adults suffered from diabetes in 2019, and this number is expected to reach 700 million by 2045. Regular monitoring is essential to control diabetes and prevent its complications.
Helpful for regular monitoring
Regular monitoring is essential to control diabetes and prevent its complications. Despite this, many people, especially those in rural areas, are afraid of blood tests and fall prey to misconceptions. They believe that it takes a year to form a drop of blood, which makes them avoid giving blood for sugar testing. This new urine-based test strip can reduce this fear, making glucose monitoring more accessible.
How the search was successful
Dr Siddiqui and his team used iron doped zinc-based metal-organic framework (Fe@Zinc-MOF) in their research. They tested various components of urine including creatinine, creatine, urea, glucose, etc. They found that Fe@Zinc-MOF when exposed to glucose exhibits green colour when exposed to UV light, while other components do not show any distinct colour. They tested glucose concentrations ranging from 80 to 300 mg/dL and observed a distinct intensity at concentrations of 110 and 150 mg/dL. This testing was done using both model urine and real urine, leading to the development of test strips that show a distinctive colour change at these glucose concentrations.
They developed an innovative detection strip from filter paper and Fe@Zinc-MOF composite. The strip demonstrated ultra-sensitive detection capabilities, showing noticeable fluorescence changes corresponding to different glucose concentrations. This property makes it a practical device for real-world applications.
The purpose of innovative research
Dr. Siddiqui said that his goal is to make test strips that are cheap and easily available, like pregnancy test strips. His aim is that common people can accurately check their sugar levels through urine at home without any injection or blood. His research work so far has been published in ‘Materials Today Chemistry’, a Q1 journal of Elsevier publication.
Glucose research will be accelerated
This groundbreaking research will bring a significant advancement in the field of glucose detection. The development of zinc-MOF and its iron-doped composite presents a new, efficient and user-friendly method for urine glucose monitoring. With millions of people affected by high sugar levels worldwide, this innovation will create immense potential for improving diabetes management and overall health outcomes. The newly developed MOF-based test strips have the potential to become a standard tool for glucose monitoring, especially in settings where blood tests are not practical. The research team’s ongoing work on advanced, eco-friendly test strips is poised to lead to even more accessible and reliable glucose monitoring solutions in the future
