Electrochemical detection of blood alcohol concentration using a disposable biosensor based on screen-printed electrode modified with Nafion and gold nanoparticles

Background: Blood alcohol determination plays an important role in laboratory medicine and forensic medicine. Nowadays, many methods are being used for alcohol measurement, but these methods are time-consuming and complex to perform laborious sample pre-treatment. The disposable amperometric biosensor, due to its portability, low cost and potential for fabrication, should be readily applicable for blood alcohol determination. Methods: The biosensor was fabricated by immobilizing alcohol dehydrogenase and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide coated by Nafion combined with gold nanoparticles onto the surface of screen-printed electrode modified with Meldola's blue. Evaluations of biosensor performance were performed according to the relevant National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards standard. Results: The biosensor response for serum alcohol presents good linearity, precision, stability, accuracy, and specificity. Conclusions: The biosensor exhibits the capability of detecting blood alcohol concentration in the clinical laboratory and in forensic medicine, unnecessarily performing laborious sample pre-treatment.