Sulfanilamide (SFL) is used to prevent infections in
honeybees.
However, many regulatory agencies prohibit or establish maximum levels
of SFL residues in honey samples. Hence, we developed a low-cost and
portable electrochemical method for SFL detection using a disposable
device produced through 3D printing technology. In the proposed approach,
the working electrode was printed using a conductive filament based
on carbon black and polylactic acid and it was associated with square
wave voltammetry (SWV). Under optimized SWV parameters, linear concentration
ranges (1–10 μmol L–1 and 12.5–35.0
μmol L–1), a detection limit of 0.26 μmol
L–1 (0.05 mg L–1), and suitable
RSD values (2.4% for inter-electrode; n = 3) were
achieved. The developed method was selective in relation to other
antibiotics applied in honey samples, requiring only dilution in the
electrolyte. The recovery values (85–120%) obtained by SWV
were statistically similar (95% confidence level) to those obtained
by HPLC, attesting to the accuracy of the analysis and the absence
of matrix interference.