Australian scientists develop sensor for rapid vitamin B12 test
Australian researchers report that they have developed a sensor that quickly measures vitamin B12. The optical sensor can detect vitamin B12 in diluted blood.
This is probably the first step towards a cheap and portable vitamin B12 test. A deficiency of vitamin B12 in the blood is associated with an increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
According to the researchers, current test methods take a lot of time and are expensive. The optical sensor could detect B12 in the blood in less than a minute and would not require a full lab test to provide results.
Promising
“Our sensor is a first step towards medical solutions for measuring and tracking vitamin B12 status in the elderly,” says Dr. Georgios Tsiminis, scientist at the Australian University of Adelaide. “This makes it possible for doctors to monitor B12 levels and intervene early once a B12 deficiency is detected.”
Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency are often non-specific. Think of fatigue or dizziness. In addition, current test methods are not always reliable. Nevertheless, monitoring vitamin B12 levels is very important. Especially in the elderly. The elderly are at extra risk of a B12 deficiency due to age-related reduced absorption of vitamin B12 from food.
Vitamin B12 deficiency is an modifiable possible risk factor for dementia and Alzheimer's disease and is associated with cognitive decline, the scientist said.
The technique
The sensor uses an optical measurement technique called Raman spectroscopy, which produces a unique optical fingerprint of a particular molecule, in this case vitamin B12. The sensor is still in the proof-of-concept phase, but with further development, this sensor has far-reaching applications, according to the researchers.
Source: Press release Developing a sensor for vitamin B12 deficiency, University of Adelaide, 17 October 2016