Biosensors (Oct 2022)

Alprazolam Detection Using an Electrochemical Nanobiosensor Based on AuNUs/Fe-Ni@rGO Nanocomposite

  • Emadoddin Amin Sadrabadi,
  • Fatemeh Khosravi,
  • Ali Benvidi,
  • Amin Shiralizadeh Dezfuli,
  • Pouria Khashayar,
  • Patricia Khashayar,
  • Mostafa Azimzadeh

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/bios12110945
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 11
p. 945

Abstract

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Despite all the psychological advantages of alprazolam, its long list of toxic properties and interactions has caused concern and highlighted the need for a reliable sensing method. In this study, we developed a simple, highly sensitive electrochemical nanobiosensor to determine the desirable dose of alprazolam, averting the undesirable consequences of overdose. Gold nanourchins (AuNUs) and iron-nickel reduced graphene oxide (Fe-Ni@rGO) were immobilized on a glassy carbon electrode, which was treated beforehand. The electrode surface was characterized using cyclic voltammetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and differential pulse voltammetry. The fabricated sensor showed two linear ranges (4 to 500 µg L−1 and 1 to 50 mg L−1), low limit of detection (1 µg L−1), high sensitivity, good repeatability, and good recovery. Increased –OH and carboxyl (-COOH) groups on the electrode surface, resulting in improved the adsorption of alprazolam and thus lower limit of detection. This nanobiosensor could detect alprazolam powder dissolved in diluted blood serum; we also studied other benzodiazepine drugs (clonazepam, oxazepam, and diazepam) with this nanobiosensor, and results were sensible, with a significant difference.

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