Smartphone-based selective and sensitive detection of vitamin B1 in synthetic urine using U-bend SPR optical fiber probe

This paper introduces an innovative optical fiber surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor designed for smartphone assistance, aiming at detecting vitamin B1 in synthetic urine. The key novelty lies in the amalgamation of silver nanocoated cysteine with a gold-plated optical fiber probe, fostering efficient detection through the robust electrostatic interaction between negatively charged Cys-capped AgNPs and positively charged vitamin B1 molecules. Notably, this biosensor leverages the smartphone's digital camera capabilities to discern varying color intensities. A self-developed application ensures real-time monitoring of green and red channel intensities in the SPR signal, thereby mitigating the risk of false detections. Moreover, the integration of the fabricated optical fiber probe with the smartphone is achieved through a 3D-printed casing, endowing the biosensor with the advantages of portability, handheld operation, and cost-effectiveness. The proposed U-shaped optical fiber SPR biosensor, coupled with smartphone technology, demonstrates the ability to detect vitamin B1 within the concentration range of 2–10 μM, yielding a commendable R2 value of 0.9973. Experimental findings affirm that this novel biosensor, built on the U-shaped SPR optical fiber architecture and empowered by smartphones, is an economical, uncomplicated, and portable device adept at accurately and efficiently detecting vitamin B1 across a broad concentration spectrum. Its potential applications extend to the area of low-cost biochemical component identification.