A "Single-Use" Ceramic-Based Electrochemical Sensor Chip Using Molecularly Imprinted Carbon Paste Electrode

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is crucial for optimizing drug efficacy and minimizing toxicity.
• Existing TDM methods can be time-consuming, expensive, or require specialized laboratory equipment.
• Development of rapid, cost-effective, and selective sensors for point-of-care drug analysis is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an inexpensive, disposable electrochemical sensor for detecting multiple therapeutic drugs.
• To utilize molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for enhanced drug recognition and sensor performance.
• To evaluate the sensor's sensitivity, linearity, selectivity, and stability in complex biological matrices.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a disposable electrochemical sensor by immobilizing MIPs on graphite particles.
• Utilizing a three-electrode ceramic-based chip sensor with MIP-modified working electrodes.
• Employing differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) for quantitative drug analysis within therapeutic concentration ranges.
• Testing sensor performance in plasma and whole blood samples to assess selectivity and interference effects.

Main Results:

• The MIP-based sensor demonstrated higher sensitivity and linearity compared to non-imprinted polymer sensors.
• The sensor exhibited excellent selectivity for target drugs (vancomycin, meropenem, theophylline, phenobarbital) against structurally similar compounds.
• DPV measurements were rapid, requiring less than 2 minutes per analysis.
• Interference from species in whole blood had a negligible impact on sensor performance.

Conclusions:

• The developed disposable MIP sensor is a promising tool for quick and straightforward therapeutic drug monitoring.
• This sensor technology can help prevent adverse drug reactions caused by underdosing or overdosing.
• The sensor's low cost, disposability, and ease of use make it suitable for point-of-care applications.