Paper Based Microfluidic Device for the Detection of Total Protein in Blood

Abstract Liver disorders are a widespread health problem and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. The mortality rate due to liver disorders can be reduced significantly by systematic monitoring of proteins that act as liver function biomarkers. This paper demonstrates the design and fabrication of a paper based microfluidic device for the quantification of total protein in blood. The fabrication of microchannels was carried out using wax printing. The total protein concentration in the range of 0 to 14 g dL -1 were successfully measured using the fabricated paper device with the lower limit of detection being 0.5 g dL -1 . The device also showed excellent specificity and repeatability. Total protein in blood serum samples was tested using the device and the obtained results were validated with conventional laboratory methods.