NIT Raipur develops Urine Test Strip for Easy Diabetes Monitoring
Raipur | Correspondent: In a significant breakthrough Dr. Kafeel Ahmed Siddiqui, Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the National Institute of Technology Raipur, along with his Ph.D. student Vibhav Shukla, has developed a unique test strip that can detect sugar levels in the human body through urine.
The innovation promises to transform glucose monitoring, especially for those who fear blood tests. This advancement could significantly improve the way millions of people manage diabetes, especially in rural areas where blood tests are less accessible.
Traditionally, blood samples are used to monitor glucose levels in individuals with diabetes. High glucose levels can lead to glycosuria, where glucose spills into the urine, often indicating poorly controlled diabetes.
Chronic high sugar levels, or hyperglycemia, can cause serious health complications, affecting organs such as the kidneys, nerves, heart, and blood vessels. According to the International Diabetes Federation, approximately 463 million adults had diabetes in 2019, a number expected to rise to 700 million by 2045. Hence, regular monitoring is crucial for managing diabetes and preventing complications.
Despite the necessity, many individuals, particularly in rural areas, are reluctant to undergo blood tests due to fear and misconceptions. They believe that it takes a year for one drop of blood to be produced, deterring them from giving blood for sugar testing. This new urine-based test strip can alleviate such fears, making glucose monitoring more accessible and less intimidating.
Dr. Siddiqui and his team used an Iron-doped zinc-based metal-organic framework composite (Fe@Zinc-MOF) to create a test that reacts specifically to glucose in urine. When in contact with glucose, this composite glows green under UV light, providing a clear indication of glucose levels. The team tested glucose concentrations ranging from 80 to 300 mg/dL and observed distinct color changes at concentrations of 110 and 150 mg/dL.
Furthermore, an innovative detection strip derived from filter paper and the Fe@Zinc-MOF composite was developed. This strip exhibited ultra-sensitive detection capabilities, with noticeable fluorescence changes corresponding to different glucose concentrations. This makes it a practical tool for real-world applications.
Dr. Siddiqui emphasized that their goal is to create test strips that are affordable and easily available, similar to pregnancy test strips.
Their objective is to enable ordinary people to accurately test their sugar levels at home using urine, without the need for injections or blood samples. The work so far has been published in Materials Today Chemistry, which is a Q1 journal of Elsevier publication.
The research teams ongoing work on advanced, eco-friendly test strips promises even more accessible and reliable glucose monitoring solutions in the future.