Detecting glucose in sweat

Highly sensitive monitor can detect vitamin B6, glucose in sweat

October 10, 2025
2:20 pm

Vitamin B6, which is absorbed from a broad range of foods, helps bolster immune system function and neurotransmitters in the brain. But some patients with chronic conditions like diabetes might experience low concentrations of vitamin B6, leading to reduced mental and physical health function, with possible symptoms including irritability, depression, anemia, numbness or muscle twitching.

Expensive blood draws are currently the only way to monitor B6 levels, but a team led by Huanyu “Larry” Cheng, the James L. Henderson, Jr. Memorial Associate Professor of Engineering Science and Mechanics at Penn State, has developed a new, noninvasive approach that could allow for continuous monitoring, even at home.

The researchers created an on-skin sensing platform to detect vitamin B6 in small concentrations of sweat, instead of relying on laboratory tests. The sensor can also detect glucose at a high sensitivity, allowing patients with diabetes to noninvasively monitor glucose and vitamin B6 simultaneously, Cheng said.

Highly sensitive monitor can detect vitamin B6, glucose in sweat

Sign up for Blog Updates