A highly efficient and portable laser-scribed graphene-based electrochemical system for forensic-oriented determination of acepromazine

Author(s)

de Lima, Lucas F. ; de Araujo, William R.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ANALYTICAL METHODS; v. N/A, p. 10-pg., 2023-08-30.

Abstract

Acepromazine (ACP) is a phenothiazine derivative drug commonly used as a tranquilizer veterinary medication due to its sedative properties. Benefiting from sedative properties, ACP has emerged as a drug of abuse and has been associated with drug-facilitated sexual assaults. Herein, we report, for the first time, the electrochemical behavior of ACP using a miniaturized and environmentally friendly laser-scribed graphene-based (LSG) sensor fabricated on a polyetherimide (PEI) substrate. The LSG device presented high porosity, as demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements of the PEI-LSG electrode confirmed the enhanced electroactive area (3.1-fold increase) caused by the rough surface and revealed a low charge transfer resistance of the electrode material, with a heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant (k0) of 8.66 x 10-3 cm s-1 for potassium ferricyanide redox probe. A simple and accurate method was applied to quantify ACP by using square wave voltammetry (SWV) under optimized experimental conditions, which exhibited high sensitivity (0.686 & PLUSMN; 0.008 A L mol-1 cm-2) and a low limit of detection (LOD) of 7.43 x 10-8 mol L-1, with a linear concentration ranging from 0.5 to 100 & mu;mol L-1 ACP. Aiming for on-site analysis, the PEI-LSG sensor was integrated with a miniaturized potentiostat controlled by using a smartphone and applied as proof of applicability to ACP detection in commercial beverage and synthetic urine samples. These studies demonstrated adequate recoveries, ranging from 95.1% to 115.8%. The analytical parameters highlight the robustness and reliability of the proposed method for analyses of ACP directly at a potential crime scene. Acepromazine (ACP) is a tranquilizer veterinary medication that has emerged as a drug of abuse and is associated with drug-facilitated sexual assaults. Therefore, portable and reliable methods for its detection are of utmost importance. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 22/03250-7 - Development of portable and cost-effective biosensors for clinical diagnosis of bacterial and viral infections
• Grantee: William Reis de Araujo
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Initial Project
• FAPESP's process: 18/08782-1 - Miniaturized and integrated chemical sensors: new fabrication platforms for biological, clinical and environmental applications
• Grantee: Mauro Bertotti
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants