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

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Nanotechnology
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Alprazolam, despite psychological benefits, poses toxicity and interaction risks.
• Accurate dosage determination is crucial to avoid adverse effects.
• A reliable sensing method for alprazolam is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simple, highly sensitive electrochemical nanobiosensor for alprazolam detection.
• To establish a method for determining desirable alprazolam doses and preventing overdose.
• To investigate the sensor's performance in detecting alprazolam in biological samples.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a nanobiosensor by immobilizing gold nanourchins (AuNUs) and iron-nickel reduced graphene oxide (Fe-Ni@rGO) on a modified glassy carbon electrode.
• Characterization of the electrode surface using techniques like cyclic voltammetry, FTIR, SEM/EDX, and differential pulse voltammetry.
• Evaluation of sensor performance, including linearity, limit of detection, sensitivity, repeatability, and recovery.

Main Results:

• The fabricated sensor exhibited two linear ranges: 4–500 µg L^-1 and 1–50 mg L^-1.
• A low limit of detection (1 µg L^-1) and high sensitivity were achieved.
• The sensor demonstrated good repeatability, recovery, and the ability to detect alprazolam in diluted blood serum, with sensible differentiation from other benzodiazepines.

Conclusions:

• The developed electrochemical nanobiosensor offers a reliable and sensitive method for alprazolam quantification.
• The sensor's design, enhanced by -OH and -COOH groups, improves alprazolam adsorption and lowers detection limits.
• This nanobiosensor shows potential for therapeutic drug monitoring and overdose prevention.