Recent advances in nicotine electrochemical biosensors: A review

Abstract

The chemical compound nicotine, specifically 3-(1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl) pyridine, is a notable xenobiotic under investigation in the realm of electrochemical biosensors. This article emphasizes the nature of this substance and its impact on the human body. Different species with pharmacological, therapeutic, industrial, food-related, and environmental origins can now be detected using electrochemical sensors. Nicotine, an addictive substance in tobacco products and electronic cigarettes (e-cigs), is recognized for increasing the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory disorders. Careful real-time monitoring of nicotine exposure is critical in alleviating the potential health impacts of not just smokers but also those exposed to second-hand and third-hand smoke. Monitoring of nicotine requires suitable sensing material to detect nicotine selectively and testing under free-living conditions in the standard environment. A biosensor consists of a sensitive biological system and a detector system with appropriate transducers for obtaining output signals. The applications of these devices include health screening, the detection of environmental contaminants, farming, and routine medical examinations. Critical factors in its widespread commercialization will be the product's selectivity, sensitivity, stability, and lower production costs. Scientists have been working on developing a nano biosensor with a high degree of sensitivity and selectivity for the recognition of biomarkers of immune responses and cancer. An analysis of various parameters, including Limit of Detection (LOD) and monitoring nicotine concentration within the biological pH range (7–7.4), has been conducted. The objective of this analysis is to enhance sensitivity, expand linear range, and optimize optical and electrical properties. The article delves into the optimization of sensors and biosensors from an electrochemical perspective, highlighting the positive and negative effects of nicotine, as well as its metabolic pathways in the human body. The study categorizes and evaluates the latest nicotine detection sensors and biosensors based on their generation (electron transfer between multilayers) and methods (modification types or direct electrodes). The strengths and weaknesses of each are scrutinized over the past 15 years, with a focus solely on electrochemical biosensors.