A smartphone-based multi-wavelength photometer for on-site detection of the liquid colorimetric assays for clinical biochemical analyses

Abstract A novel portable and cost-effective multi-wavelength smartphone colorimetric reader (MW-SCR) was designed for the quantitation of liquid colorimetric assays. Six light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with different wavelengths were assembled in a roulette fashion to form the light detection source. An ambient light sensor of smartphone was applied as the detector. Using this MW-SCR, we detected six common serum analytes, including alkaline phosphatase(ALP), potassium(K+), chloride(Cl−), alanine aminotransaminase(ALT), glycated serum protein(GSP), and albumin, to evaluate the feasibility and reliability of the MW-SCR. Strong linear regression (R2>0.99) analysis with a wide linear range and good limits of detection were found for this device, detection limits as low as 0.37 U/L, 0.0083 mmol/L, 0.78 mmol/L, 4.49 KarU, 0.023 mmol/L and 2.23 g/L for ALP, K+,Cl−, ALT, GSP and albumin, respectively, were achieved. It also had high repeatability that ranged from 0.20 to 0.61 % relative standard deviations (RSD), and the precision ranged of MW-SCR were from 0.26 to 1.17 % RSDs. Results demonstrated that our device showed remarkable stability, accuracy, and repeatability, presenting excellent consistency with a professional microplate reader. It can be redesigned for multiple indications, such as clinical biochemical analyses, food safety testing, environmental monitoring and so on, because it is open source, user friendly and easy manufacturing.