Method and device for electrochemical detection of Thiocyanate ions in saliva

August 12, 2022

Investigator: Clifford Murphy, Roger Williams University
Theme: Cancer
Title: Method and device for electrochemical detection of Thiocyanate ions in saliva 
Award: SURF PUI Training Award (2022-2024)

Abstract: This project with adapt an existing invention for the detection of thiocyanate ions in seawater to the analysis of thiocyanate concentrations in human saliva for application as a cheap, rapid, non-invasive screening method for early detection of oral and gastric cancers. This project will recruit both chemistry and engineering students in fabrication of metalloporphyrin functionalized conductive glass electrodes for thiocyanate analyses via cyclic voltammetry in the laboratory environment and the development of a small, standalone device for thiocyanate detection. Assays will be conducted with control and thiocyanate-doped artificial saliva samples for direct analysis, and also for dilution in aqueous saline solutions to represent a spit test or an oral rinse that is then tested for thiocyanate. The nature of the sample that provides the best analysis will inform the design of the sample chamber for the chemosensor device.

Thiocyanate ion concentration in saliva is known to be higher for people who tobacco products both if smoking or dipping. E-cigarettes have become popular, particularly with adolescents, but their associated risks with chemical toxicity are not yet well characterized. In this project students will assess a variety of e-cigarette solutions from a variety of manufacturers for the presence of thiocyanate ions in the solutions themselves or that have been produced as part of the volatilization process used in vaping. These analyses will dilute the e-cigarette fluid in an aqueous saline solution for analysis prior to the vaping process, and e-cigarette vapor from the device will be captured by aspiration through aqueous saline solution.

Relevance:
Thiocyanate ions are compounds are of concern in the etiology of oral and gastric cancers, and higher concentrations of thiocyanate in saliva can be indicative of tobacco use. This proposal will develop a device for rapid, cheap, electrochemical determination of thiocyanate concentration in saliva samples for a non-invasive screening method for oral and gastric cancers. This technology will also be applied to investigate thiocyanate associated with vaping.