Review—Trends on the Development of Non-Enzymatic Electrochemical Sensors Modified with Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for the Quantification of Glucose

Abstract

Glucose is the principal source of energy for humans and its quantification in physiological samples can diagnose or prevent diseases. Commonly, glucose determination is based on spectrophotometric-enzymatic techniques, but since at least a decade ago, electroanalytical strategies have emerged as promising alternatives providing accuracy and precision in the determination of biomolecules. This review focuses on the development of non-enzymatic methodologies based on modified electrochemical sensors with molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for glucose detection sensors in physiological samples (blood, saliva, and urine). The trends in the construction of non-enzymatic sensors base on MIP combine with materials such as carbonaceous materials, metal nanoparticles, and polymers improving their electrocatalytic properties and analytical parameters of the electro-analytical methodologies developed. Glassy carbon electrodes, carbon paste electrodes, and screen-printed electrodes are the main transductors modified with MIP for the electrochemical oxidation of glucose, and the maximum anodic peak current is taken to the analytical signal. In all reported non-enzymatic sensors, the presence of the MIP improved glucose determination compared to the bare working electrode. The reported results demonstrated that this electroanalytical approach represents a viable alternative for fast and confident analysis of the glucose molecule overcoming the drawbacks presented by enzymatic sensors.