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Single-use electrochemical eco-friendly sensors based on herbal silver nanoparticles

Country of Origin: Turkey
Reference Number: TOTR20170718002
Publication Date: 18 July 2017

Summary

A group of researchers from department of pharmaceutical technology of a university located in Izmir, Turkey has developed electrochemical single-use, eco-friendly sensor platform based on herbal silver nanoparticles (AgNp) in order to detect heavy metals in water. Specificly, an extensive research is conducted for the analysis of mercury ions.  Licensees from industry specialized in pharmaceutical technology are sought to scale this technology to industrial level by licensing agreement.

Description

A group of researchers specialized in pharmaceutical applications from a state university located in Izmir, Turkey has developed a single use eco friendly sensor to detect unwanted heavy metals in water, especially mercury ions which is severely dangerous for human health.



Heavy metals but especially mercury ions may cause environmental pollution, and soil pollution caused by mining practices, fertilizer and pesticides and chemical substances from industrial wastes. Agriculture in polluted soil by heavy metals becomes a source of contamination for food chain. Thus, it becomes harmful for human health as well as for other living systems.



The existing technologies for the mercury analysis like fluorescence, atomic absorption spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy are really expensive. And also they have a difficult analysis procedure.

In the present invention, vegetable origin with silver nanoparticles (AgNp) modified green sensor has been developed for the rapid, sensitive and selective electrochemical analysis of mercury (Hg2 +)

Mentioned invention is related sensors which are plant-derived, obtained with the green synthesized nanoparticles comprise silver are used for mercury analysis.

In near future test kits could be developed as a result of combination with the environmentally friendly disposable sensor and chip technologies within the scope of this invention.



The commercialization potential of the developed sensor is very high, due to its ability of continuous analysis of mercury contamination in water samples. Mercury is a potent neurological toxin and also it can cause kidneys, respiratory system, immune system, mouth tooth and skin disorders. Having known from academic studies, mercury concentration increases in water and food chain due to many reasons. 



Due to this commercialization potential it is aimed to collaborate with an industrial partner who would be interested in licensing this technology and scale up to industrial level to obtain the commercial product.

Advantages and Innovations

Main advantage is that the sensor is disposable and environmentally friendly. Also, this product enables removal heavy metals like mercury in water in a short time with high sensitivity. Finally, it is cost effective, practical to use and provides quick testing opportunity for mercury (Hg2 +) analysis.

Stage Of Development

Field tested/evaluated

Stage Of Development Comment

Scale up is essential to reach the final product although a number of tests are successfully completed.

Requested partner

Type of Partner: Industrial manufacturer specialized in developing biotechnological products, test kits and similar analyzing equipment as well as manufacturer partners specialized in environmental technologies are also welcome. Both type of partners are expected to have a comprehensive laboratory facilities.



Role of Partner: The ideal partner is expected to license the mentioned technology and develop commercial bio sensors to analyse contamination levels in water. As a result a scale up study will be needed to commercialize the technology. Moreover, it would also be possible to develop test kits as a future work.