Development of a dual-template molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor for the simultaneous detection of depression markers 5-HT and Glu

• Published in: Mikrochimica acta (1966) Vol. 191; no. 9; p. 528
• Main Authors: Wang, Yanping, Guo, Min, Li, Yuanyuan, Chen, Yan, Wei, Hong, Mo, Xiaohui, Chai, Guolin, Du, Yongling, Hu, Fangdi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Vienna Springer Vienna 01.09.2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Analytical Chemistry; Animals; Binding sites; Biomarkers - analysis; Biomarkers - blood; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemical sensors; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Depression - blood; Depression - diagnosis; Electrical resistivity; Electrochemical Techniques - instrumentation; Electrochemical Techniques - methods; Electrodes; Glutamic Acid - analysis; Glutamic Acid - blood; Glutamic Acid - chemistry; Graphene; Graphite - chemistry; Imprinted polymers; Limit of Detection; Mice; Microengineering; Molecular Imprinting; Nanochemistry; Nanotechnology; Parameters; Phenylenediamine; Phenylenediamines - chemistry; Polymerization; Reproducibility; Reproducibility of Results; Self-assembly; Sensors; Serotonin; Serotonin - analysis; Serotonin - blood; Glu; Simultaneous detection; Molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor; Modified glassy carbon electrode; 5-HT; Depression marker; Differential pulse voltammetry
• ISSN: 0026-3672; 1436-5073; 1436-5073
• DOI: 10.1007/s00604-024-06558-z

A dual-template molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor was developed for the simultaneous detection of serotonin (5-HT) and glutamate (Glu). First, amino-functionalized reduced graphene oxide (NRGO) was used as the modification material of a GCE to increase its electrical conductivity and specific surface area, using Glu and 5-HT as dual-template molecules and o-phenylenediamine (OPD) with self-polymerization ability as functional monomers. Through self-assembly and electropolymerization, dual-template molecularly imprinted polymers were formed on the electrode. After removing the templates, the specific recognition binding sites were exposed. The amount of NRGO, polymerization parameters, and elution parameters were further optimized to construct a dual-template molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor, which can specifically recognize double-target molecules Glu and 5-HT. The differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) technique was used to achieve simultaneous detection of Glu and 5-HT based on their distinct electrochemical activities under specific conditions. The sensor showed a good linear relationship for Glu and 5-HT in the range 1 ~ 100 μM, and the detection limits were 0.067 μM and 0.047 μM ( S / N  = 3), respectively. The sensor has good reproducibility, repeatability, and selectivity. It was successfully utilized to simultaneously detect Glu and 5-HT in mouse serum, offering a more dependable foundation for objectively diagnosing and early warning of depression. Additionally, the double signal sensing strategy also provides a new approach for the simultaneous detection of both electroactive and non-electroactive substances.