# Composite Metal Oxide Nanopowder-Based Fiber-Optic Fabry–Perot Interferometer for Protein Biomarker Detection

## TL;DR

A new fiber-optic sensor using metal oxide nanopowders detects kidney disease biomarkers with high sensitivity and accuracy.

## Contribution

A novel semi-distributed interferometer biosensor with Zn, Cu, and Co metal oxide nanopowder coating for highly sensitive biomarker detection.

## Key findings

- The biosensor detected biomarkers in concentrations from 1 aM to 100 nM with a theoretical limit of detection of 126 fM.
- The sensor achieved a maximum sensitivity of 190 dB/RIU and a linear correlation coefficient of R2 = 0.96.
- The sensor demonstrated excellent specificity and reproducibility with detection accuracy at about 10−4 RIU.

## Abstract

In this paper, we present the development of a new semi-distributed interferometer (SDI) biosensor with a Zn, Cu, and Co metal oxide nanopowder coating for the detection of a kidney disease biomarker as a model system. The combination of nanopowder coating with the SDI platform opens up unique opportunities for improving measurement reproducibility while maintaining high sensitivity. The fabrication of sensors is simple, which involves one splice and subsequent cutting at the end of an optical fiber. To ensure specific detection of the biomarker, a monoclonal antibody was immobilized on the surface of the probe. The biosensor has demonstrated an impressive ability to detect biomarkers in a wide range of concentrations, from 1 aM to 100 nM. The theoretical limit of detection was 126 fM, and the attomolar detection level was experimentally achieved. The sensors have achieved a maximum sensitivity of 190 dB/RIU and operate with improved stability and reduced dispersion. Quantitative analysis revealed that the sensor’s response gradually increases with increasing concentration. The signal varies from 0.05 dB at 1 aM to 0.81 dB at 100 nM, and the linear correlation coefficient was R2 = 0.96. The sensor showed excellent specificity and reproducibility, maintaining detection accuracy at about 10−4 RIU. This opens up new horizons for reliable and highly sensitive biomarker detection, which can be useful for early disease diagnosis and monitoring using a cost-effective and reproducible sensor system.