Development of electrochemical sensor modified with molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP) aiming cortisol quantification

Author(s)

Letícia Francine Mendes

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Conjunto das Químicas (IQ e FCF) (CQ/DBDCQ)
• Defense date: 2018-04-02

Examining board members

Thiago Regis Longo Cesar da Paixão; Marystela Ferreira; Hugo Barbosa Suffredini

• Advisor: Thiago Regis Longo Cesar da Paixão

Abstract

Cortisol is a hormone associated with several important physiological processes. This masters dissertation reports studies about the development of a simple and low cost electrochemical sensor aiming at the quantification of cortisol without the need of biomolecules immobilized at sensor surface. Initially, the focus was the development of an analytical method for the direct detection of cortisol using bare glassy carbon electrodes. These studies have shown problems of reproducibility due to large adsorption of the cortisol molecule or its reduction products on the electrode surface. Thus, it was evaluated the use of graphite electrodes as disposable devices in paperbased platform. A good linearity was observed in a concentration range similar to that obtained in studies involving the glassy carbon electrode (from 10 to 100 µmol L-1). In light of this result, the proposed low-cost portable devices presented great analytical features and low-cost in comparison with the previous method with potentiality for application in real samples. Concomitantly, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) fabricated by chemical and electrochemical processes were studied to enhance the selectivity for cortisol analysis. The chemically manufactured MIPs were synthesized using acrylamide as monomer and N, N\'-methylenebisacrylamide as crosslinking agent. This material recombine successfully with the analyte according the UV-Vis study, but it was difficult to immobilize this material at the electrode surface. The electrochemical polymerization of pyrrole was evaluated as a simple way to produce the MIP directly on the electrode surface. The recombination of the template molecule with the modified electrodes was verified by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance technique. The second approach pointed out promisor results to the development of modified piezoelectric sensor for cortisol detection. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/07416-6 - Development of electrochemical sensor modified with molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP) aiming cortisol quantification
• Grantee: Letícia Francine Mendes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master