Disposable HSA QCM-immunosensor for practical measurement in liquid

The application of quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) as affinity immunosens or of human serum albumin (HSA) has been investigated. The aim of the inves tigation was the development of a sensor for simple use for physicians in p ractice. The HSA immunosensors were constructed as a disposable immunosenso r based on a cost effective QCM sensor. A self mixing cell without pumping system was constructed together with the QCM-immunosensor for easy handling . The HSA antibody was immobilized on top of a quartz resonator coated with a mixture of polystyrene and p-tert-butyl-calix[8]arene. There were no sig nificant differences between the measured maximum frequency change of off-l ine measurement in air and on-line measurement in PBS. In this experiment, the developed immunosensor allows the measurement of HSA in PBS in the conc entration range from I to 250 mug/mL The limit value concentration of 20 mu g/ml between ill and healthy condition can be well measured. The sensor sho ws a selectivity to HSA in urine. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.