Ovarian Hormone Estrone Glucuronide (E1G) quantification-impedimetric electrochemical spectroscopy approach

A study was conducted on detection and concentration measurement of estrone glucuronide (E1G), an important metabolite of the ovarian hormone estradiol, by using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) technique. A miniature planar Inter-digital (ID) capacitive sensor fabricated on single crystal silicon substrate with sputtered gold electrodes coupled with EIS was used to measure conductivity, permeability and dielectric properties of the said hormone metabolite. A thin film of Silicon Nitride (50 um) was coated on the sensor as passivation layer to avoid Faradic currents through the sensor. Impedance spectrums were obtained with various concentrations of E1G in buffer solution by exposing the samples to electrical perturbations at certain frequency range. Relationship of sample conductance with E1G concentration was studied on basis Randle's equivalent circuit model and results were analyzed to deduce Constant Phase Equivalent (CPE) Circuit model in order to evaluate the double layer capacitance produced at the solution-electrode interface due to kinetic processes taking place in the electrochemical cell. The sensitivity of the sensor was evaluated against concentration. The result analysis confirmed that fabricated ID sensor together with EIS can provide a rapid and successful low cost sensing system which can help a lay user to determine peak time for feminine reproductive fertility at home without submitting samples for an expensive and time consuming laboratory test. © 2013 IEEE.