Real-time nanomolar vitamin monitoring in sweat using an electrochemical skin-attached device.

Wang, Xue; Wang, Yuzhuo; Li, Yuxin; Sun, Yujiao; Mao, Peiyuan; Liu, Simiao; Ou, Jieying; Wang, Xuemei et al. · Nat Commun · 2026

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Abstract

Invasive and inconvenient blood tests hinder the diagnosis and treatment of micronutrient deficiencies, which affect billions worldwide. Wearable sweat sensors offer a noninvasive and real-time alternative. However, on-body monitoring of multiple low-abundance vitamins in sweat remains challenging. Here, we show a wearable electrochemical platform that utilizes bioreceptor-functionalized gold nanoflower/sulfur and nitrogen codoped carbon to detect six low-concentration vitamins in sweat (vitamins B<sub>1</sub>, B<sub>2</sub>, B<sub>7</sub>, B<sub>9</sub>, B<sub>12</sub>, and D) with nanomolar-level sensitivity. Integrated system incorporates iontophoretic sweat induction, microfluidic sampling and real-time vitamin detection with calibration. Human studies revealed temporal profiles of VB<sub>9</sub> levels in sweat in response to oral VB<sub>9</sub> supplementation and VB<sub>9</sub>-rich diets, and a strong sweat-serum correlation (r = 0.849) has been found. The significant differences in VB<sub>9</sub> levels observed between smokers and nonsmokers demonstrated the potential of this technology for vitamin monitoring in diverse populations. Our platform facilitates early detection of nutritional imbalances and advances personalized nutrition.