Biosensor for Electrochemical Detection of Amphetamine in Street Samples Using an innovative nanoMIPs-based Sensor

The prevalence of recreational substance abuse amongst young adults has markedly increased over the past two decades and it remains one of the major problems facing our society today worldwide. Amphetamine (AMP) is one of the most common substances abused and one of the most potent sympathomimetic amines with respect to stimulatory effects on the central nervous system (1).

The direct electrochemical detection of AMP is a challenge because the molecule is non-electroactive at the potential window of conventional graphite SPEs. In this regard, a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) for AMP detection was synthesized The MIPs nanoparticles (nanoMIPs) were synthesized in the presence of a template molecule. After polymerization and removal of the template, MIPs are embossed with complementary cavities and functionalities (2). The technology presented herein could potentially help to rapidly determine AMP from confiscated street samples. The voltammetric sensor for AMP detection uses electroactive nanoMIPs, produced by introducing ferrocene monomer into the polymeric structures, which serves as an efficient transducer of electrochemical response. For the immobilization of nanoMIPs onto the surface of graphite SPEs different approaches were tried, and the best results in terms of stability, sensitivity, and specificity were obtained after the direct deposition of a suspension that contains chitosan, nanoMIPs, and graphene oxide (GPHOx).

Acknowledgments: This project was supported by a PhD Research Project PCD no. : 1033/68/13 January 2021, offered by UMF, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

1.Parrilla, M. et. al., Derivatization of amphetamine to allow its electrochemical detection in illicit drug seizures, 129819 (2021).

2.Alanazi, K. et al. Disposable paracetamol sensor based on electroactive MIPs for plasma monitoring, 129128 (2021).