Past and Present of Electrochemical Sensors and Methods for Amphenicol Antibiotic Analysis

Amphenicols are broad-spectrum antibiotics. Despite their benefits, they also present toxic effects and therefore their presence in animal-derived food was regulated. Various analytical methods have been reported for their trace analysis in food and environmental samples, as well as in the quality control of pharmaceuticals. Among these methods, the electrochemical ones are simpler, more rapid and cost-effective. The working electrode is the core of any electroanalytical method because the selectivity and sensitivity of the determination depend on its surface activity. Therefore, this review offers a comprehensive overview of the electrochemical sensors and methods along with their performance characteristics for chloramphenicol, thiamphenicol and florfenicol detection, with a focus on those reported in the last five years. Electrode modification procedures and analytical applications of the recently described devices for amphenicol electroanalysis in various matrices (pharmaceuticals, environmental, foods), together with the sample preparation methods were discussed. Therefore, the information and the concepts contained in this review can be a starting point for future new findings in the field of amphenicol electrochemical detection.