Disposable 3D Printed Electrode for the Electrochemical Detection of Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol in Aqueous Solution and 11-Nor-9-Carboxy-Tetrahydrocannabinol in Saliva

Abstract

Currently, marijuana or cannabis is the most consumed drug worldwide, and is also the one with the highest number of seizures, with 354 tons seized in Brazil in 2017. The increase in its consumption has been called attention, not only by the authorities, due to accidents caused when driving under the influence of the drug, but also by companies that carry out toxicological analyzes on their employees. For this, rapid tests, such as colorimetric tests, are generally used to analyze the urine of users. The need for agile and proper identification of drugs of abuse has encouraged the scientific community to improve and to develop new methodologies. Electrochemical methods appear as a cheap, portable and easy to use alternative. The use of biodegradable materials for the development of disposable electrodes has become paramount today. The use of 3D printers emerges as an alternative for the manufacture of these electrodes and the use of saliva instead of urine, has also been a priority because it is a less invasive sample and difficult to adulterate. In this work, a three dimensional device was created in an innovative way containing the three electrodes, working, counter and reference, in conductive material. The device was then used to detect the active principle present in cannabis, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, in aqueous solution, and its metabolite, 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC, in samples of real saliva, both through cyclic voltammetry. The positive results show that the proposed device can be used, as well as those already found on the market, for the identification of drug use and in the forensic field.

Nanomaterials-Based Electrochemical Δ9-THC and CBD Sensors for Chronic Pain

“…The bioavailability of -THC is 10–20% [ 26 ]. Purified CBD or CBD co-administered with a small amount of -THC is commonly taken orally [ 27 ]. Co-administration of CBD with -THC does not significantly affect the pharmacokinetics of -THC [ 28 ].…”

Carbon Black Integrated Polylactic Acid Electrodes Obtained by Fused Deposition Modeling: A Powerful Tool for Sensing of Sulfanilamide Residues in Honey Samples

“…It can be highlighted mechanical treatment, electrochemical activations, − use of reducing agents, physical method of thermal annealing, solvents immersion, enzymatic degradation, atomic layer deposition, electrolysis treatment, and modification of the surface with other materials . These 3D-printed electrodes have been successfully applied to the detection of antioxidants, metals, illicit drugs, , explosives, , biologically active molecules, and construction of biosensors , and supercapacitors . Recently, Lisboa and colleagues proposed an electrochemical sensor for SFL detection using a 3D printer with UV-curable acrylic resin (production of the electrode body) and using a manual 3D pen with a conductive filament (CB/PLA) to fill the extremity of the electrode body (working electrode production).…”

Machine Learning-Based Quantification of (−)-trans-Δ-Tetrahydrocannabinol from Human Saliva Samples on a Smartphone-Based Paper Microfluidic Platform

“… 5 Despite the individual differences in the THC impact, many jurisdictions in Europe and North America highly recommended regulating THC consumption among roadside drivers and employees. 5 , 6 …”

“…5 Despite the individual differences in the THC impact, many jurisdictions in Europe and North America highly recommended regulating THC consumption among roadside drivers and employees. 5,6 Existing regulatory limits for THC in whole blood or plasma are varied from 1 to 5 ng/mL, but testing THC in blood is complicated, time-consuming, and environmentally restricting. 7 Most importantly, the THC concentration in blood would dramatically drop during the collection, delivery, and long screening time.…”

“…Cannabis and its byproducts, widely used as psychoactive substances, have increased in their consumption due to the legalization in recent years. , While (−)- trans -Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was legalized in many countries for either medical or recreational use, debates still exist about whether THC consumption would affect coordination, memory, attention, and other abilities. , Previous studies have shown that the consumption of THC would impair driving-related skills heavily and cause a significant increase in the risk of fatal accidents, especially among younger populations . Despite the individual differences in the THC impact, many jurisdictions in Europe and North America highly recommended regulating THC consumption among roadside drivers and employees. , …”