Electrochemical Detection of Uric Acid in Biological Samples

Uric acid, the end product of purine metabolism in humans, serves as an important biomarker for conditions such as gout, kidney dysfunction and metabolic disorders. Conventional laboratory assays often require lengthy sample preparation and sophisticated instrumentation. Electrochemical methods offer a compelling alternative through rapid response, high sensitivity, low-cost instrumentation and potential for miniaturisation. Enzymatic biosensors typically employ uricase to catalyse the oxidation of uric acid to allantoin and hydrogen peroxide, with subsequent electrochemical detection of reaction products. Non-enzymatic approaches exploit electrocatalytic nanomaterials—such as metal oxides, carbon-based structures and metallic nanoparticles—to promote direct electron transfer and avoid enzyme instability. Key performance metrics include sensitivity, linear dynamic range, limit of detection and selectivity against common interferents like ascorbic acid and dopamine. Applications span analysis of blood serum, urine and saliva, supporting point-of-care diagnostics and real-time monitoring of physiological status.

Research from Nature Portfolio

One study has advanced an enzymatic biosensor by decorating cuprous oxide nanocubes with ferrocene and covalently immobilising uricase on a glassy carbon electrode. Differential pulse voltammetry revealed a broad detection range (0.1–1,000 µM), exceptionally low detection limit (<0.06 µM) and high sensitivity (~1.9 µA mM⁻¹ cm⁻²), with robust reproducibility and anti-interference performance in urine samples. Another seminal work demonstrated vertical arrays of zinc oxide nanorods grown directly on an electrode surface, overlaid with uricase and Nafion. The high aspect-ratio nanorods provided large surface area for enzyme loading, leading to ultralow detection limits (<5 nM), rapid response (~3 s) and excellent long-term stability, underscoring the potential for ultrasensitive clinical devices.

Electrochemical Detection of Uric Acid in Biological Samples publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in electrochemical detection of uric acid in biological samples across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Uricase: Enzyme that catalyses oxidation of uric acid to allantoin and hydrogen peroxide.

Glassy carbon electrode (GCE): Chemically inert, high-conductivity electrode substrate commonly used in electrochemical sensors.

Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV): Electrochemical technique applying incremental potential pulses to enhance sensitivity and discriminate current responses.

Limit of detection (LOD): Lowest analyte concentration that can be reliably distinguished from background noise.

Electrocatalysis: Acceleration of electrochemical reactions at an electrode surface by catalytic materials.

References

1. A highly sensitive uric acid electrochemical biosensor based on a nano-cube cuprous oxide/ferrocene/uricase modified glassy carbon electrode. Scientific Reports (2020).
2. Solution Process Synthesis of High Aspect Ratio ZnO Nanorods on Electrode Surface for Sensitive Electrochemical Detection of Uric Acid. Scientific Reports (2017).
3. Label‐Free Metal‐Oxide Transistor Biosensors for Metabolite Detection in Human Saliva. Advanced Science (2024).
4. Sensitive and selective electrochemical determination of uric acid in urine based on ultrasmall iron oxide nanoparticles decorated urchin-like nitrogen-doped carbon. Colloids and Surfaces B Biointerfaces (2022).
5. Laser-induced graphene from paper for non-enzymatic uric acid electrochemical sensing in urine. Carbon (2022).