Sweat lactate biosensor based on lactate oxidase immobilized with flower-like NiCo2O4 and carbon nanotubes

We design a portable and non-invasive lactate biosensor that can conveniently monitor lactate levels in real human sweat. The proposed biosensor is constructed through the immobilization of lactate oxidase (LOx) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) on flower-like NiCo2O4 microspheres coupled with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). The synergistic effect between NiCo2O4 microspheres and SWCNTs can increase the conductivity and the active surface area of the electrode. Using ferrocene–methanol (FcMeOH) as the electron transfer mediator in buffer, the developed biosensor can detect lactate in a wide linear range of 0.1 mM to 30 mM with a detection limit of 39.9 µM under optimal conditions. Additionally, the biosensor exhibits excellent selectivity and stability. As proof of concept, the biosensor was applied to monitor lactate level in real human sweat samples, and the results were in good agreement with those obtained by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. The lactate biosensor is cost effective and can be as a non-invasive alternative to blood analysis, which is suitable for rapid analysis of lactate levels in the fields of fitness, health monitoring and clinical diagnosis.