Residues of oxytetracycline (OTC), a veterinary antibiotic
and
growth promoter, can be present in animal-derived foods; their consumption
is harmful to human health and their presence must therefore be detected
and regulated. However, the maximum residue limit is low, and consequently
highly sensitive and accurate detectors are required to detect the
residues. In this study, a novel highly sensitive electrochemical
sensor for the detection of OTC was developed using a screen-printed
electrode modified with fluorine-doped activated carbon (F-AC/SPE)
combined with a novel deep eutectic solvent (DES). The modification
of activated carbon by doping with fluorine atoms (F-AC) enhanced
the adsorption and electrical activity of the activated carbon. The
novel hydrophobic DES was prepared from tetrabutylammonium bromide
(TBABr) and a fatty acid (malonic acid) using a green synthesis method.
The addition of the DES increased the electrochemical response of
F-AC for OTC detection; furthermore, it induced preconcentration of
OTC, which increased its detectability. The electrostatic interactions
between DES and OTC as well as the adsorption of OTC on the surface
of the modified electrode through H-bonding and π–π
interactions helped in OTC detection, which was quantified based on
the decrease in the anodic peak potential (E
pa = 0.3 V) of AC. The electrochemical behavior of the modified
electrode was investigated by cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse
voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Under optimum
conditions, the calibration plot of OTC exhibited a linear response
in the range 5–1500 μg L–1, with a
detection limit of 1.74 μg L–1. The fabricated
electrochemical sensor was successfully applied to determine the OTC
in shrimp pond and shrimp samples with recoveries of 83.8–100.5%
and 93.3–104.5%, respectively. In addition to the high sensitivity
of OTC detection, the proposed electrochemical sensor is simple, cost-effective,
and environmentally friendly.