Highly sensitive electrochemical sensor for the detection of rutin based on graphite-doped plate-like FER zeolite

Rutin (Vitamin P) is a natural flavonoid with pharmacological value, widely used to treat diseases, but its high-dose applications require sensitive detection methods. However, current sensors show inadequate performance. In this research, a novel ultra-sensitive electrochemical sensor toward rutin is fabricated by combining Ferrierite (FER) zeolite, graphite powder (GP) and chitosan (CS) on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). This study employs plate-like FER zeolite that shortens ion diffusion pathways, together with GP that constructs conductive networks and CS that ensures stable film formation, generating a synergistic effect that significantly enhances the electrochemical response. As a result, the sensor exhibits a linear detection range from 0.01 μM to 40 μM, with a low limit of detection of 0.00873 μM and a high sensitivity of 16.37 μA·μM^-1·cm^-2, outperforming most reported electrodes. Moreover, the sensor shows strong anti-interference capability and excellent repeatability (RSD = 1.20%, n = 10) and reproducibility (RSD = 3.27%, n = 6). The practical significance is validated by determining rutin in compound rutin tablets, sea buckthorn, and buckwheat, with recoveries ranging from 94.0% to 103.0%, demonstrating its reliability for pharmaceutical and natural product quality control.