Glucose selective textile OECT based on molecularly imprinted nanoparticles functionalized channel for in vivo plants monitoring

Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) have been used as flexible biosensors, in organic bioelectronics, with high sensitivity and high transconductance but limited selectivity. OECTs can measure metabolic biomarkers, also continuously with real-time monitoring applications, in different biofluids of interest, with applications in sports, healthcare, biology and agriculture. In this study we developed an OECTs biosensor based on the functionalization of the active channel of the OECT with a biomimetic recognition element, namely molecularly imprinted nanoparticles (nanoMIPs), to selectively bind the target analyte D-glucose. Two configurations based on textile absorbent materials (nanoMIP fiber wire) or on polymer microfibers (nanoMIP microwire) were prepared and tested for D-glucose sensing and for D-fructose interference. The results show that the nanoMIPs improved the sensitivity and selectivity towards D-glucose. The nanoMIP fiber D-glucose wire sensor was used to monitor tomato plants in the field together with the conventional OECT based biosensor bioristor, providing new insights into the dynamics of the drought defense response. • OECT biosensors for D- glucose based on molecular imprinted polymer nanoparticles. • OECT formed by two different flexible fibers for D-glucose detection. • Biosensors inserted in tomato plant to monitor in vivo the glucose concentration. • Monitored a significant number of tomato plants for three months in open field. • The MIP D-glucose OECT device provide new insights into drought defence response.