Simple and Cost-Effective Electrochemical Method for Norepinephrine Determination Based on Carbon Dots and Tyrosinase

Abstract

Although neurotransmitters are present in human serum at the nM level, any dysfunction of the catecholamines concentration may lead to numerous serious health problems. Due to this fact, rapid and sensitive catecholamines detection is extremely important in modern medicine. However, there is no device that would measure the concentration of these compounds in body fluids. The main goal of the present study is to design a simple as possible, cost-effective new biosensor-based system for the detection of neurotransmitters, using nontoxic reagents. The miniature Au-E biosensor was designed and constructed through the immobilization of tyrosinase on an electroactive layer of cysteamine and carbon nanoparticles covering the gold electrode. This sensing arrangement utilized the catalytic oxidation of norepinephrine (NE) to NE quinone, measured with voltammetric techniques: cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. The prepared bio-system exhibited good parameters: a broad linear range (1–200 μM), limit of detection equal to 196 nM, limit of quantification equal to 312 nM, and high selectivity and sensitivity. It is noteworthy that described method was successfully applied for NE determination in real samples.

Scientific Developments and New Technological Trajectories in Sensor Research

“…These technologies have been utilized mainly for detection purposes, including biomarker detection for blood, glucose level, food mass, anti-body, genetic aspects, etc. [ 103 , 104 , 105 ]. We should also consider that the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic crisis has changed health systems and supported these technologies requiring a rapid detection by immunosensor of patients and their remote monitoring [ 106 ].…”

Applications of Carbon Dots for the Photocatalytic and Electrocatalytic Reduction of CO2

“…For both types of synthesis, depending on the temperature or power, reaction time and precursor, the physicochemical properties of the CDs, such as size, crystallinity, solubility, can be controlled. Precursors can be obtained from renewable sources, such as orange juice [ 61 ], shrimp egg [ 62 ], ginkgo leaves [ 63 ], extract of waste tea [ 64 ], pine pollen [ 65 ], Camellia japonica flowers [ 66 ], or waste cotton linter [ 42 ]. Other renewable sources are reviewed elsewhere [ 67 ].…”

Recent Advances in Synthesis, Modification, Characterization, and Applications of Carbon Dots

“…The crystallinity, size, and solubility of the CDs can be tuned by changing the power, reaction temperature, reaction time, and types of precursors. Precursors can be citric acid, saccharides, ethylene glycol, and even the abundantly available biomass, such as waste cotton linter [ 18 ], olive solid wastes [ 19 ], orange juice [ 20 ], bitter apple peel [ 21 ], shrimp egg [ 22 ], muskmelon peel [ 23 ], ginkgo leaves [ 24 ], eggshell membranes [ 25 ], extract of waste tea [ 26 ], egg yolk [ 27 ], pine pollen [ 28 ], Colocasia esculenta leaves [ 29 ], Camellia japonica flowers [ 30 ], and other organic wastes [ 31 , 32 ].…”