A Sensor Array Based on Molecularly Imprinted Polymers and Machine Learning for the Analysis of Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics

Abstract

Fluoroquinolones (FQs) are one of the most important types of antibiotics in the clinical, poultry, and aquaculture industries, and their monitoring is required as the abuse has led to severe issues, such as antibiotic residues and antimicrobial resistance. In this study, we report a voltammetric electronic tongue (ET) for the simultaneous determination of ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and moxifloxacin in both pharmaceutical and biological samples. The ET comprises four sensors modified with three different customized molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) and a nonimprinted polymer integrated with Au nanoparticle-decorated multiwall carbon nanotubes (Au-fMWCNTs). MWCNTs were first functionalized to serve as a supporting substrate, while the anchored Au nanoparticles acted as a catalyst. Subsequently, MIP films were obtained by electropolymerization of pyrrole in the presence of the different target FQs. The sensors’ morphology was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, while the modification process was followed electrochemically step by step employing [Fe(CN)6]3–/4– as the redox probe. Under the optimal conditions, the MIP(FQs)@Au-fMWCNT sensors exhibited different responses, limits of detection of ca. 1 μM, and a wide detection range up to 300 μM for the three FQs. Lastly, the developed ET presents satisfactory agreement between the expected and obtained values when used for the simultaneous determination of mixtures of the three FQs (R 2 ≥0.960, testing subset), which was also applied to the analysis of FQs in commercial pharmaceuticals and spiked human urine samples.

Lamellar α-Zirconium Phosphate Nanoparticles Supported on N-Doped Graphene Nanosheets as Electrocatalysts for the Detection of Levofloxacin

“…Alternatively, electrochemical methods – have demonstrated outstanding advantages, such as reduced costs, simple operations, short response times, and high sensitivities. Therefore, electrochemical methods, such as voltammetry, have been adopted for the trace detection of fluoroquinolone antibiotics. – However, the bare electrodes usually suffer from a poor sensitivity toward LEV due to the sluggish electron-transfer process . To address this issue, electrocatalysts based on noble metal nanoparticles (NPs), – conducting polymers, – metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), , graphene, and graphene derivatives – have been used to modify glassy carbon electrodes (GCEs) to promote electron transfer and enhance the sensitivity.…”

One Stone Two Birds: An Upconversion Nanosensor for Sensitive Detection of Fluoroquinolones in Aquatic Products Based on Chelation Recognition

“…Aquatic products are highly popular foods around the world, providing a wealth of high-quality protein and nutrients. Fluoroquinolones (FQs), a class of relatively newly developed synthetic antibacterial agents with broad and potent antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and -negative bacteria, have been widely used in aquaculture. , However, despite the significant production benefits of FQs for aquaculture, their inevitable residues have caused adverse effects on human health, including toxicity of the central nervous system and the development of antimicrobial resistance . Chinese regulators have developed maximum residual limits for FQs in food as a reaction to the substantial residue hazards .…”

Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Interface on Screen-Printed ZnO Nanorod Field Effect Transistors for Serotonin Detection in Clinical Samples

“…The removal of the template reveals cavities complementary in shape, size, and chemical functionality, therefore allowing the template to rebind in a specific manner. MIP-based electrochemical sensors have been extensively researched for serotonin detection in different body fluids with various nanomaterials . However, these sensors have not been able to attain subfemtomolar detection limits and are also not convenient for real-time detection owing to the intrinsic limitations of electrochemical sensing.…”

“…MIP-based electrochemical sensors have been extensively researched for serotonin detection in different body fluids with various nanomaterials. 16 However, these sensors have not been able to attain subfemtomolar detection limits and are also not convenient for real-time detection owing to the intrinsic limitations of electrochemical sensing. If MIPs can be integrated with ZnO nanorod FETs, it can be expected to enhance the stability, selectivity, and sensitivity, which can result in a device suitable for ultralow-level serotonin detection in clinical samples, in the real-time mode, and will be the first demonstration of its kind.…”