Table 3 Nanotechnology-based sensors for detection of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)

Polymeric nanoparticles coated with streptavidin dye

SARS-CoV-2

LOD: 12 copies

Sensitivity: 100% (33/33)

Specificity: 100% (96/96)

Oropharynx swab

60 min for the whole diagnosis

Absence of cross reactions

Colorimetric

[122]

Lanthanide-doped polysterene nanoparticles

SARS-CoV-2

Was used to test seven samples that were positive by RT-PCR and 12 that were negative

Results of this assay: 8 positive and 11 negative

Blood serum

10 min

–

Fluorimetric

[123]

Poly (amino ester) with carboxyl groups coated magnetic nanoparticles (pcMNP)

SARS-CoV-2

LOD: 10 copies

Linear range: 10–10⁵ copies

Pseudovirus samples diluted in foetal calf serum

20 min for purification + subsequent RT-PCR reactions

Some signal amplifications in negative controls, although about 40 delayed cycles of a valid positive result

Direct RT-PCR

[116]

Gold nanoparticles

SARS-CoV-2

Sensitivity: 88.66% (352/397)

Specificity: 90.63% (116/128)

Venous blood and finger prick

15 min

–

Colorimetric

[114]

Gold nanoislands

SARS-CoV-2

LOD: 0.22 pmol/L

Linear range: 0.1 pmol/L–1 μmol/L

Recovery rate: 26/5000

96% in mixing sample.

Synthetic oligonucleotides

–

–

Interferometry

[124]

Zinc ferrite nanoparticles

SARS-CoV-2

–

–

15 min

Extract the viral RNA through automation process + subsequent RT-PCR reactions

–

Direct RT-PCR

[125]

Nanopore target sequencing (NTS)

SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses simultaneously

LOD: 10 copies

Linear range: 10–3000 copies

Specificity: 100% (5/5)

Oropharyngeal swabs

6–10 h

–

qPCR

[126]

Spike (S) protein specific nanoplasmonic resonance sensor

SARS-CoV-2

Linear range: 10³ virus particle/mL–10⁶ virus particle/mL

LOD: 750 vp/mL

Pseudovirus diluted in bovine serum albumin (BSA)

15 min

–

Colorimetric

[127]