Abstract
Dopamine (DA) is a neurotransmitter, and its levels in the human body are associated with serious diseases. The need for a suitable detection method in medical practice has encouraged the development of electrochemical sensors that take advantage of DA electroactivity. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are biomimetic materials able to selectively recognize target analytes. A novel MIP sensor for DA is proposed here based on a thin film of poly(o-aminophenol) electrosynthesized on bare Pt. A fast and easy method for executing the procedure for MIP deposition has been developed based on mild experimental conditions that are able to prevent electrode fouling from DA oxidation products. The MIP exhibited a limit of detection of 0.65 μM, and appreciable reproducibility and stability. The high recognition capability of poly(o-aminophenol) towards DA allowed for the achievement of notable selectivity: ascorbic acid, uric acid, serotonin, and tyramine did not interfere with DA detection, even at higher concentrations. The proposed sensor was successfully applied for DA detection in urine samples, showing good recovery.
Highlights
Dopamine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl ethylamine (DA), is an important neurotransmitter that plays significant roles in the central nervous system (CNS), and in the renal, hormonal, and cardiovascular systems [1]
The high recognition capability of poly(o-aminophenol) towards DA allowed for the achievement of notable selectivity: ascorbic acid, uric acid, serotonin, and tyramine did not interfere with DA detection, even at higher concentrations
DA oxidation is complicated by a chemical cyclization step with the subsequent formation of polymeric structures precipitating from the solution to the electrode surface
Summary
3,4-dihydroxyphenyl ethylamine (DA), is an important neurotransmitter that plays significant roles in the central nervous system (CNS), and in the renal, hormonal, and cardiovascular systems [1]. PD is one of the most common age-related neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta and a decrease in striatal dopamine levels. These changes lead to several clinical symptoms: rigidity, resting tremor, and bradykinesia. The techniques available for such detection are mostly based on gas chromatographymass spectrometry [8]; high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry [9,10,11]; fluorescence detection [12]; and chemiluminescence [13]. The reaction products of DA oxidation are adsorbed on the surface of bare electrodes, causing their passivation, which reduces the sensitivity and selectivity of DA detection [15]
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