Electrochemical testosterone biosensor based on pencil graphite electrode electrodeposited with copper oxide nanoparticles

Abstract

Accurately monitoring the blood levels of testosterone in a sensitive, simple, and rapid manner is of paramount importance for the diagnosis and treatment of various medical conditions, as well as for controlling pharmaceutical quality and facilitating doping detection. Testosterone, the primary male sex hormone, plays a crucial role in facilitating human physical performance, protein synthesis, and the development of muscle mass. Consequently, testosterone and its analogues are frequently abused by athletes as performance-enhancing steroid in order to increase muscle mass and enhance their performance. The use of such steroids is strictly prohibited to guarantee fair play. In this study, we employed a pencil graphite electrode that was electrochemically modified with CuO nanoparticles for determination of testosterone. The electrode response was significantly enhanced by approximately fourfold compared to the unmodified PGE when electrodeposition CuO nanoparticles onto PGE surface was performed at a potential of -0.6 V for 200 s. The success of modification was confirmed through morphological analysis using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Using square wave adsorptive stripping voltammetry analysis in BR buffer at pH 6.0, we demonstrated that the proposed sensor exhibited sensitivity to detect testosterone within a linear range of 5-200 nM. The detection limit of sensor was calculated 4.6 nM (1.32 ng mL-1). The sensor platform developed for the accurate, sensitive, and specific determination of testosterone holds tremendous potential for the development of point-of-care devices and their integration into lab-on-a-chip research.

Nanostructured Metal Oxide-Based Electrochemical Biosensors in Medical Diagnosis

“…In a recent study by Bozdo gan, a pencil graphite electrode (PGE) was electrochemically decorated with CuONPs to detect testosterone, a doping test biomarker for facilitating human physical performance. The LOD and linear range of the offered sensor were calculated at 4.6 nM and 5-200 nM, respectively, using square wave adsorptive stripping voltammetry (SW-AdSV) measurements [134].…”

“…In a recent study by Bozdo gan, a pencil graphite electrode (PGE) was electrochemically decorated with CuONPs to detect testosterone, a doping test biomarker for facilitating human physical performance. The LOD and linear range of the offered sensor were calculated at 4.6 nM and 5-200 nM, respectively, using square wave adsorptive stripping voltammetry (SW-AdSV) measurements[134].In their study, Narasimhappa et al fabricated a tyrosinase-functionalized Cu 2 O NP electrode for the sensitive determination of dopamine (DA). Cu 2 O NPs were synthesized and characterized through the hydrothermal technique using Artemisia absinthium leaf extract.…”

Electrochemical Detection of Hormones Using Nanostructured Electrodes

“…The C-3 keto group of testosterone is first subjected to one-electron reduction, forming an unprotonated radical; then, those above radicals undergo protonation and then participate in a reaction with another radical, ultimately leading to the creation of a dimeric configuration [25].…”

“…The sensor has a detection limit of 4.6 nM (1.32 ng/mL). The sensor platform for precise, sensitive, and specific TST determination has great potential for point-of-care devices and lab-on-a-chip research [25].…”