Engineering news
A technique for detecting improvised explosive devices (IEDs) is being used by researchers at University of Adelaide to identify B12 in the bloodstream, a vitamin that has been linked to dementia.
The researchers have used the IED method to develop an optical sensor that can detect vitamin B12 in diluted human blood. The sensor uses an optical measuring technique called Raman spectroscopy which produces a unique optical fingerprint of the target molecule, vitamin B12.
The device using the IED technology could be a first step towards a low-cost, portable, broad-scale vitamin B12 deficiency test, claim the researchers. Vitamin B12 deficiency has been associated with an increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
Such a device would enable the tracking of vitamin B12 levels in high-risk patients and early intervention by topping up vitamin B12 levels when low, and help overcome the limitations of current testing methods which are time-consuming and costly, according to the university.
Dr Georgios Tsiminis, research fellow at the university, said: “Older adults are particularly at risk of B12 deficiency due to age-related reduction in absorbing vitamin B12 received through their diet.
"Time and cost limitations currently mean that regular and frequent B12 measurements are not being carried out. Having such a device could make this testing routine, potentially having a real impact on dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.”
Tsiminis added: “Currently our device could not aid in diagnosing vitamin B12 deficiency in a general practice setting. However, this is the first time a rapid technique based on optical spectroscopy has been shown to be able to detect vitamin B12 in human blood serum. We believe this is a very promising first step towards achieving this goal.”
The optical sensor measurement of B12 in human blood takes less than a minute and requires minimum preparation. This is the first demonstration of vitamin B12 being measured in human blood serum without the need for a full laboratory test.