Nanoporous copper microdisc arrays for non-enzymatic detection of glucose in aqueous and saliva solutions

To address the stability and cost limitations of enzymatic glucose sensors, this work details the use of nanoporous copper (NPC) modified microdisc array (MDA) sensors for non-enzymatic glucose detection, with a focus on bovine health monitoring. Electrochemical analysis in 0.1 M NaOH, using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry (CA), demonstrated excellent sensor performance. The device demonstrated a wide linear detection range (0.01 – 4.0 mM, R²'0.99) and a 4 µM limit of detection (LOD). It achieved high sensitivities of 14.87 and 9.87 µA µM⁻¹ cm⁻² across its low-concentration and full linear detection ranges, respectively. The sensor showed high selectivity, with minimal interference from common analytes in saliva and blood, and ageing studies revealed stable performance for up to 56 days when stored in acetone. Successful validation in artificial saliva confirmed the sensor's applicability for direct biofluid analysis. These findings establish NPC-modified MDAs as a robust, cost-effective, and promising platform for glucose monitoring in complex biofluids, particularly for veterinary diagnostics and agri-tech applications.