(WEAR4HEALTH) Textile adhesives for optical biosensing of lactate for healthcare applications

At a glance

What is WEAR4HEALTH about?

L-lactate is a biomarker produced in the human body through glucose fermentation, used to diagnose respiratory insufficiency, heart diseases and sports performance. Hence, monitoring L-lactate levels helps the early diagnosis of such pathologies and allows physical monitoring activity for improved performance, better life quality, and minimizes injury potential.

The project focuses on creating hybrid materials by combining gold nanoparticles labelled with a Raman reporter with transition metal dichalcogenides, such as MoS2, supported on textile fibers. The hybrid substrates are chemically (bio)functionalized using enzymes to optimize the detection of the target analyte. Most explicitly, L-lactate is detected by monitoring the formation of hydrogen peroxide, produced by the lactate oxidation using lactate oxidase.

These materials will be integrated into suitable patches, such as Velcro, that can be easily attached to outerwear. Upon interaction with sweat, the patches will allow for real-time, in situ analysis of L-lactate using Raman or similar spectroscopy, offering a significant improvement in monitoring physical performance and health conditions without the need for invasive procedures.

What critical challenges is WEAR4HEALTH addressing?

L-lactate is used as biomarker in risk-stratifying patients with several life-threatening diseases, namely, heart diseases, respiratory failure, and sports medicine. In the latter, L-lactate is strongly related to the athlete’s performance, wellness, fatigue, and hydration. Commercial sensors of L-lactate require invasive electrochemical detection in blood. For instance, to obtain a temporal L-lactate profile, the subject’s blood is usually collected repetitively in the ear at brief time intervals while the athlete engages in rigorous training. However, LAC can also be found in sweat or saliva, providing non-invasive, fast and painless detection.

How will WEAR4HEALTH monitor L-lactate molecules?

The concept in this research is to develop textile-based wearable platforms by exploring gold nanoparticles/transition metal dichalcogindes immolised with lactate oxidase as functional components for surface-enhanced Raman spectrsocopy (SERS) detection of L-lactate in sweat. In particular, we envisage using such substrates as Velcro-held textile patches that can be easily applied to hospital patients’ gowns and sportswear. Upon interaction with sweat, the patches can be collected and analysed in situ to monitor L-lactate molecules using portable Raman equipment

How is WEAR4HEALTH expected to impact textile and healthcare research?

This research aims to advance the textile and healthcare industries by integrating nanotechnology into wearable fibers for non- invasive monitoring of L-lactate in sweat. These innovative, sustainable platforms will enhance real-time health monitoring, using
cost-effective Raman technology. The project also aligns with global sustainability goals, potentially impacting the production of functional textiles in Portugal and offering applications in food safety and glucose monitoring, thereby driving new market opportunities.