Paper-Based Electrochemical Devices for the Pharmaceutical Field: State of the Art and Perspectives

Abstract

The current international pharmaceutical scenario encompasses several steps in drug production, with complex and extremely long procedures. In the last few decades, scientific research has been trying to offer valid and reliable solutions to replace or support conventional techniques, in order to facilitate drug development procedures. These innovative approaches may have extremely positive effects in the production chain, supplying fast, and cost-effective quality as well as safety tests on active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and their excipients. In this context, the exploitation of electrochemical paper-based analytical devices (ePADs) is still in its infancy, but is particularly promising in the detection of APIs and excipients in tablets, capsules, suppositories, and injections, as well as for pharmacokinetic bioanalysis in real samples.

Materials Approaches for Improving Electrochemical Sensor Performance

“…When envisioning the near future of this research field, it is evident that effort will be channeled into fabricating inexpensive, eco-friendly sensors capable of mass production and distribution. Paper-based sensors are certainly the fastest growing devices for electrochemical sensing, as paper is highly regarded for its availability, biocompatibility, ease of assembly and transport, and versatility. , Perhaps the most simple microfluidics device, paper is extremely viable for aqueous analytical chemistry due to its natural capillary action for mass transport, and the variety of sources (e.g., filter paper, printer paper, paper towels) and preparation methods (e.g., cutting, folding, laser writing) contribute to the rapidly growing field of paper sensors . Paper sensors first emerged as colorimetric assays, but have surged in popularity as electrochemical devices since 2009, when electrodes were first deposited onto paper, in a sensor for glucose, lactate, and uric acid .…”

Spot tests: past and present

“…ELISAs have been also applied in medicinal industries, e.g., quality control for antibiotics and veterinary drugs [ 183 ]. μPADs and LOC methods for detection and control of pharmacological substances during the production process as well as in bioanalyses have also been proposed [ 204 , 218 , 219 ]. In particular, several ePADs, also called “pharma-on-chips”, have been developed that have as target substances antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and anesthesic drugs, stimulants of the central nervous system, and hormones [ 219 ].…”

“…μPADs and LOC methods for detection and control of pharmacological substances during the production process as well as in bioanalyses have also been proposed [ 204 , 218 , 219 ]. In particular, several ePADs, also called “pharma-on-chips”, have been developed that have as target substances antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and anesthesic drugs, stimulants of the central nervous system, and hormones [ 219 ]. In pharmacology multiplexed tests allow drug screening, especially drug resistance, cytotoxicity, and susceptibility as well as drug discovery [ 105 , 106 , 111 ].…”

Preparation and application of water-based nano-silver conductive ink in paper-based 3D printing

“…Circuit patterns printed on paper have obvious advantages such as low cost, portability, environmental protection and recyclability. It can be applied to flexible electronic products (Nguyen et al , 2020; Jang et al , 2020; Call et al , 2020; Noviana et al , 2020; Cinti et al , 2019; Tomei et al , 2019; Antonacci et al , 2020; Moccia et al , 2020; Jemmeli et al , 2020; Deroco et al , 2020; Wang et al , 2016; Hamedi et al , 2016).…”