Mill Scale-Derived Magnetite Nanoparticles: A Novel Substrate for Lactate Oxidase-Based Biosensors

Abstract

Recycling and revalorization of waste are currently essential for sustainable growth. Mill scale, a waste product from steel production industries, which contains high levels of iron and minimal impurities, is proposed in this study as the source to synthesize magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4) for an enhancement of a lactate biosensor range. The synthesized Fe3O4 nanoparticles were coated with polydopamine (PDA) to prevent aggregation and degradation, creating a stable platform for immobilizing lactate oxidase enzyme (LOx) on their surfaces. The characterization of the Fe3O4@PDA material was carried out using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and measurement of the polydispersity index (PdI). The Fe3O4@PDA-LOx material was then deposited on a screen-printed carbon electrode modified with Prussian blue (SPCE-PB) for lactate detection. The biosensor exhibited a broad, dual linear concentration-response range, one from 0.1 to 4.62 mM with a limit of detection of 0.32 mM and sensitivity of 1.54 μAmM−1cm−2, and another one from 4.62 to 149.21 mM with a limit of detection of 6.31 mM and sensitivity of 0.08 μAmM−1cm−2. The dual-range concentration response of the biosensor makes it an ideal tool for lactate determination in various applications, including sports medicine, clinical diagnosis, and industrial bioprocessing.