Inkjet-printed barcodes for a rapid and multiplexed paper-based assay compatible with mobile devices

Abstract

This study reports a simple, rapid, low-cost, robust, and multiplexed barcoded paper-based assay (BPA) compatible with mobile devices. An inkjet printer and an XYZ dispensing platform were used to realize mass-manufacturing of barcoded paper-based analytical devices (BPADs) with high precision and efficiency. We designed a new group of barcodes and developed an application (APP) for the reading of the new code. The new barcodes possess a 16 times higher coding capacity than the standard Codabar code in our experiment on drug residue detection. The BPA system allows applications in the assays of blood-transmitted infections, drug residues in milk and multiplex nucleic acids. The whole detection process and the readout of the results can be completed within 10 minutes. The limit of detection for enrofloxacin (ENR) (8 ng mL⁻¹) satisfies the requirements of drug residue monitoring. Its high rapidity, simplicity, efficiency and selectivity make the BPA system extremely suitable to be applied in rapid and on-site detection.