Electrochemical determination of tannic acid using graphite electrodes sourced from waste zinc-carbon batteries

Electrochemical determination of L-tryptophan in food samples on graphite electrode prepared from waste batteries

One of the goals of this research was to develop an electrochemical sensor that had the ability to determine the target analyte and was both cheap and non-toxic. Another goal was to influence the reduction of electronic waste. In accordance with these, a graphite rod from zinc-carbon batteries was used to prepare an electrochemical sensor for the determination of L-tryptophan in Britton–Robinson buffer solution. Two electrochemical methods were used in the experimental research, differential pulse voltammetry and cyclic voltammetry. The effect of different parameters, including the pH value of supporting solution, scan rate, as well as the concentration of L-tryptophan on the current response, was studied. The pH value of Britton–Robinson buffer influenced the intensity of L-tryptophan oxidation peak, as well as the peak potential. The intensity of the current response was the highest at pH 4.0, while the peak potential value became lower as the pH increased, indicating that protons also participated in the redox reaction. Based on the obtained data, electrochemical oxidation of L-tryptophan at the graphite electrode was irreversible, two electron/two proton reaction. In addition, it was observed that the oxidation peak increased as the scan rate increased. According to the obtained electrochemical data, it was suggested that the oxidation of L-tryptophan was mixed controlled by adsorption and diffusion. The linear correlation between oxidation peak and L-tryptophan concentration was investigated in the range 5.0–150.0 µM and the obtained values of limit of detection and limit of quantification were 1.73 µM and 5.78 µM, respectively. Also, the prepared electrochemical sensor was successful in determination of target analyte in milk and apple juice samples.

Graphene-Based Sensors for the Detection of Bioactive Compounds: A Review

Over the last years, different nanomaterials have been investigated to design highly selective and sensitive sensors, reaching nano/picomolar concentrations of biomolecules, which is crucial for medical sciences and the healthcare industry in order to assess physiological and metabolic parameters. The discovery of graphene (G) has unexpectedly impulsed research on developing cost-effective electrode materials owed to its unique physical and chemical properties, including high specific surface area, elevated carrier mobility, exceptional electrical and thermal conductivity, strong stiffness and strength combined with flexibility and optical transparency. G and its derivatives, including graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO), are becoming an important class of nanomaterials in the area of optical and electrochemical sensors. The presence of oxygenated functional groups makes GO nanosheets amphiphilic, facilitating chemical functionalization. G-based nanomaterials can be easily combined with different types of inorganic nanoparticles, including metals and metal oxides, quantum dots, organic polymers, and biomolecules, to yield a wide range of nanocomposites with enhanced sensitivity for sensor applications. This review provides an overview of recent research on G-based nanocomposites for the detection of bioactive compounds, providing insights on the unique advantages offered by G and its derivatives. Their synthesis process, functionalization routes, and main properties are summarized, and the main challenges are also discussed. The antioxidants selected for this review are melatonin, gallic acid, tannic acid, resveratrol, oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, tocopherol, ascorbic acid, and curcumin. They were chosen owed to their beneficial properties for human health, including antibiotic, antiviral, cardiovascular protector, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective, neuroprotective, antiageing, antidegenerative, and antiallergic capacity. The sensitivity and selectivity of G-based electrochemical and fluorescent sensors are also examined. Finally, the future outlook for the development of G-based sensors for this type of biocompounds is outlined.