Alprazolam Detection Using an Electrochemical Nanobiosensor Based on AuNUs/Fe-Ni@rGO Nanocomposite
Emadoddin Amin Sadrabadi, Fatemeh Khosravi, Ali Benvidi, Amin Shiralizadeh Dezfuli, Pouria Khashayar, Pouria Khashayar, Patricia Khashayar, Patricia Khashayar, Mostafa Azimzadeh
Abstract
Despite all the psychological advantages of alprazolam, its long list of toxic properties and interactions has caused concern and highlighted the need for a reliable sensing method. In this study, we developed a simple, highly sensitive electrochemical nanobiosensor to determine the desirable dose of alprazolam, averting the undesirable consequences of overdose. Gold nanourchins (AuNUs) and iron-nickel reduced graphene oxide (Fe-Ni@rGO) were immobilized on a glassy carbon electrode, which was treated beforehand. The electrode surface was characterized using cyclic voltammetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and differential pulse voltammetry. The fabricated sensor showed two linear ranges (4 to 500 µg L−1 and 1 to 50 mg L−1), low limit of detection (1 µg L−1), high sensitivity, good repeatability, and good recovery. Increased –OH and carboxyl (-COOH) groups on the electrode surface, resulting in improved the adsorption of alprazolam and thus lower limit of detection. This nanobiosensor could detect alprazolam powder dissolved in diluted blood serum; we also studied other benzodiazepine drugs (clonazepam, oxazepam, and diazepam) with this nanobiosensor, and results were sensible, with a significant difference.