Conclusions
This article has described the production and properties of a biosensor for the detection of Hev b1 rubber tree latex allergens using an efficient surface imprinting process with the rubber allergenic proteins combined with an advanced microelectrode technology. This biosensor, based on MIP–protein interactions, can be used for quantification of Hevea latex allergens present as contaminants in rubber latex gloves. The MIP–IDC sensor showed a rapid shift in capacitance and a reasonable capacitive response that was clearly dependent on the concentration of the Hev b1 allergen proteins. The ability of the artificial recognition material to recognize the presence of defined organized structures on the protein surface allows interaction and binding that can be recognized by the sensor system. The MIP chemical probes on the IDC sensor could distinguish Hev b1 from analogs such as lysozyme, ovalbumin, and BSA. This is extremely beneficial for the application of this analytical system to quantify hevein latex allergens in real-life samples. Moreover, the IDC microelectrode is an effective approach to miniaturize MIP biosensors that will allow the detection of specific allergens in small sample volumes without reducing sensitivity and selectivity. The IDC microelectrode-based on-chip MIP biosensors, when integrated with microfluidic systems for sample delivery, can further improve the overall stability and reproducibility of the interdigitated electrode-based biosensor. Interdigitated electrodes can be further designed in different array formats and integrated into microdetection devices/systems for biomedical and biotechnological applications. Using an array of capacitors may allow us to quantify more than one marker at the same time and enhance the diagnostic power of the biosensor.