Electrochemical sensor based on molecularly imprinted polymer on surface containing metallic nanoparticle and reduced graphene oxide for the enantioselective determination of (D) and (L)-limonene in agroindustrial waste

• Grant number: 23/00817-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: August 01, 2023
• End date: July 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Analytical Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Nelson Ramos Stradiotto
• Grantee: Bruna Gabrielle Olsen Pinto
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/22401-8 - Fruit-refinery: obtention processes, characterization methods and generation of products derived from residues of the fruitculture, AP.TEM

Abstract

Limonene is a monocyclic terpene compound that has two isomers, (D)-limonene and (L)-limonene, found in different quantities and proportions in several citrus fruits. This compound can be obtained from steam distillation of citrus peel and pulp, resulting from juice production, cold-pressed oils, or citrus oil deterpenation. Therefore, the determination of this enantiomeric compound is extremely relevant for the reuse of these residues, within the concept of bio-refinery. The determination of enantiomers has been made by analytical methods involving chromatographic, spectroscopic, and electrochemical techniques. Among the electrochemical techniques, the use of electrochemical sensors has been highlighted in literature for their excellent characteristics, such as high selectivity, lower limits of detection, lower instrumental cost, small sample volumes needed for analysis, and portability. In this context, this project aims the construction of an electrochemical sensor for the enantioselective determination of (D) and (L)-limonene obtained from agroindustrial waste of the fruticulture. This sensor will be modified with gold nanoparticles in reduced graphene oxide, which is a nanostructured surface covered with a molecularly imprinted polymer (ortho-phenylenediamine). The developed sensor must be applied for the determination of the (D) and (L)-limonene obtained from orange agroindustrial waste.