Portable smartphone-enabled dydrogesterone sensors based on biomimetic polymers for personalized gynecological care

Abstract

Dydrogesterone, a frequently prescribed synthetic hormone integral to the treatment of diverse gynecological conditions, necessitates precise quantification in complex human plasma. In this study, the development of a portable, smartphone-based electrochemical sensor employing screen-printed gold electrodes (SPAuEs) modified with a biomimetic, molecularly imprinted poly(methacrylic acid-co-methyl methacrylate) (MIP) is presented for dydrogesterone detection in human plasma. FTIR spectroscopy illustrates the transformation of a pre-polymer mixture into a polymerized matrix, while SEM reveals a uniform MIP/SPAuE surface morphology. The sensor fabrication protocol, encompassing MIP/SPAuE composition, polymerization solvent, incubation time, and scan rate, is optimized to achieve enhanced sensitivity. The MIP/SPAuEs sensor exhibits a linear sensor response to dydrogesterone within the concentration range of 1–500 nM, as evidenced by cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry. The MIP/SPAuE sensor demonstrates exceptional sensitivity, recording 8.2 × 10⁻³ μA nM⁻¹, with a sub-nanomolar limit of detection (LOD = 370 pM), and low limit of quantification (LOQ = 1.12 nM), along with appreciable selectivity over common interferents. In real-world clinical applications, the designed sensor is effectively employed for the rapid and precise determination of dydrogesterone in human blood plasma, achieving a remarkable recovery of 81%. Furthermore, MIP/SPAuE coatings possess suitable stability over 15 days, indicating the robustness of the sensor material for multiple rounds of analysis. The developed sensor provides a sensitive, selective, and cost-effective solution for monitoring dydrogesterone in plasma during various gynecological disorders, allowing for personalized healthcare applications.