Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026
08:22
Electrowetting-based Digital Microfluidics Platform for Automated Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay
Published on: February 23, 2020
A low-cost electrochemical screening platform for danazol in anti-doping analysis
Andrés Terán1, Paulina Márquez2,3, Alvaro Carvajal4
1Instituto de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Av. Gran Bretaña 1111, Playa Ancha, Valparaíso, Chile. erick.flores@uv.cl.
Analytical Methods : Advancing Methods and Applications
|July 24, 2026
Summary
This study presents a novel, low-cost electrochemical sensor for detecting danazol (DZ), a prohibited steroid in sports. The developed graphene oxide-based sensor offers a sensitive and reliable method for screening doping agents.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Doping in sports poses health risks and necessitates reliable detection methods.
- Current methods for detecting banned substances like danazol (DZ) are expensive and require specialized labs.
- Unregulated steroid use, such as danazol, presents significant health concerns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a cost-effective electrochemical screening platform for danazol detection.
- To create a sensor based on electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ErGO) on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE).
- To validate the sensor's performance in detecting danazol in various sample matrices.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a glassy carbon electrode modified with electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (GCE/ErGO).
- Electrochemical characterization using cyclic voltammetry and double-layer capacitance measurements.
- Optimization of Square-Wave Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetry (SWAdSV) parameters for danazol detection.
- Analysis of spiked water, synthetic urine, and synthetic saliva samples.
Main Results:
- The GCE/ErGO electrode demonstrated enhanced electrochemical response for danazol detection.
- Optimized SWAdSV conditions achieved limits of detection and quantification of 7.0 and 20.0 µg L⁻¹, respectively.
- The sensor showed satisfactory recovery rates in spiked real-world samples and selectivity against common interferents.
Conclusions:
- The developed electrochemical platform offers a promising low-cost, sensitive, and selective method for danazol screening.
- This sensor technology can aid in combating sports doping by providing accessible detection tools.
- Further research into the electrochemical oxidation mechanism of danazol was supported by NMR analysis.
