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Abstract

The present application is directed to a novel approach for rapid, selective and sensitive detection of heavy metals using a solid-phase bioactive lab-on-paper sensor that is ink-jet printed with sol-gel entrapped reagents to allow colorimetric visualization of the enzymatic activity. The bioactive paper assay is able to detect a range of heavy metals, either alone or as mixtures, in as little as 10 min. The paper-based assay was immune to interferences from non-toxic metal ions such as Na⁺ or K⁺, could be used to detect heavy metals that were spiked into tap water or lake water, and provided quantitative data that was in agreement with values obtained by atomic absorption. The paper-based sensor is of value for rapid, on-site screening of trace levels of heavy metals in resource limited areas and developing countries.

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First Claim