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Published on: February 16, 2018
Bromhexine screening using molecularly imprinted polymers for electrochemiluminescence detection and molecular
Fumiki Takahashi1, Shota Ohno2, Masachika Yoshida2
1Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Shinshu University, Matsumoto, Nagano, 390-8621, Japan. takahashi@shinshu-u.ac.jp.
Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry
|May 7, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a novel electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor using a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) for selective bromhexine (BH) detection. The developed MIP-ECL system enhances sensitivity and accuracy in pharmaceutical and biological sample analysis.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
Background:
- Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) offers high sensitivity but suffers from low selectivity.
- Accurate determination of pharmaceuticals like bromhexine (BH) is crucial in various applications.
- Developing selective sensors remains a key challenge in analytical chemistry.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a highly selective ECL-based sensor for the specific determination of bromhexine (BH).
- To integrate molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) technology with ECL for enhanced molecular recognition.
- To validate the sensor's performance in real-world pharmaceutical and biological samples.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a BH-template-based MIP-modified electrode via electrolytic polymerization.
- Utilizing peroxidation during synthesis to enhance template molecule immobilization.
- Employing X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy with synchrotron radiation for interaction analysis.
- Quantifying BH in pharmaceutical and urine samples and comparing results with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS).
Main Results:
- The MIP-modified electrode demonstrated robust immobilization of the BH template.
- Sensitivity was significantly enhanced, approximately threefold, due to peroxidation.
- XAFS analysis revealed complex interactions including hydrogen bonding, π-π, and halogen-π interactions between BH and the MIP.
- The sensor achieved accurate BH determination in pharmaceutical and biological samples.
Conclusions:
- The developed MIP-modified electrode combined with ECL provides a selective and sensitive method for BH detection.
- The sensor exhibits potential for practical application in pharmaceutical analysis and biological monitoring.
- The study highlights the synergistic benefits of MIPs and ECL for advanced sensing applications.
