An Amperometric Sensor with Anti-Fouling Properties for Indicating Xylazine Adulterant in Beverages

Amperometric electrochemical sensing schemes, which are easily fabricated and can directly relate measured current with analyte concentrations, remain a promising strategy for the development of the portable, in situ detection of commonly employed adulterants. Xylazine (XYL) is a non-narcotic compou...

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Main Authors: Arielle Vinnikov, Charles W. Sheppard, Ann H. Wemple, Joyce E. Stern, Michael C. Leopold
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Micromachines
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/15/11/1340
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author Arielle Vinnikov
Charles W. Sheppard
Ann H. Wemple
Joyce E. Stern
Michael C. Leopold
author_facet Arielle Vinnikov
Charles W. Sheppard
Ann H. Wemple
Joyce E. Stern
Michael C. Leopold
author_sort Arielle Vinnikov
collection DOAJ
description Amperometric electrochemical sensing schemes, which are easily fabricated and can directly relate measured current with analyte concentrations, remain a promising strategy for the development of the portable, in situ detection of commonly employed adulterants. Xylazine (XYL) is a non-narcotic compound designed for veterinary use as a sedative known as Rompun<sup>®</sup>. XYL is increasingly being abused as a recreational drug, as an opioid adulterant and, because of its chemical properties, has found unfortunate prominence as a date rape drug spiked into beverages. In this study, a systematic exploration and development of fouling-resistant, amperometric XYL sensors is presented. The sensing strategy features layer-by-layer (LBL) modification of glassy carbon electrodes (GCEs) with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for sensitivity and the engagement of cyclodextrin host–guest chemistry in conjunction with polyurethane (PU) semi-permeable membranes for selectivity. The optimization of different materials and parameters during development created a greater fundamental understanding of the interfacial electrochemistry, allowing for a more informed subsequent design of effective sensors exhibiting XYL selectivity, effective sensitivity, rapid response times (<20 s), and low estimated limits of detection (~1 ppm). Most importantly, the demonstrated XYL sensors are versatile and robust, easily fabricated from common materials, and can effectively detect XYL at <10 ppm in both common alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, requiring only minimal volume (20 µL) of the spiked beverage for a standard addition analysis.
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spelling doaj-art-2a809f8cb6da4f0e8e97035b8468a19b2025-08-20T01:54:03ZengMDPI AGMicromachines2072-666X2024-10-011511134010.3390/mi15111340An Amperometric Sensor with Anti-Fouling Properties for Indicating Xylazine Adulterant in BeveragesArielle Vinnikov0Charles W. Sheppard1Ann H. Wemple2Joyce E. Stern3Michael C. Leopold4Department of Chemistry, Gottwald Center for the Sciences, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA 23173, USADepartment of Chemistry, Gottwald Center for the Sciences, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA 23173, USADepartment of Chemistry, Gottwald Center for the Sciences, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA 23173, USADepartment of Chemistry, Gottwald Center for the Sciences, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA 23173, USADepartment of Chemistry, Gottwald Center for the Sciences, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA 23173, USAAmperometric electrochemical sensing schemes, which are easily fabricated and can directly relate measured current with analyte concentrations, remain a promising strategy for the development of the portable, in situ detection of commonly employed adulterants. Xylazine (XYL) is a non-narcotic compound designed for veterinary use as a sedative known as Rompun<sup>®</sup>. XYL is increasingly being abused as a recreational drug, as an opioid adulterant and, because of its chemical properties, has found unfortunate prominence as a date rape drug spiked into beverages. In this study, a systematic exploration and development of fouling-resistant, amperometric XYL sensors is presented. The sensing strategy features layer-by-layer (LBL) modification of glassy carbon electrodes (GCEs) with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for sensitivity and the engagement of cyclodextrin host–guest chemistry in conjunction with polyurethane (PU) semi-permeable membranes for selectivity. The optimization of different materials and parameters during development created a greater fundamental understanding of the interfacial electrochemistry, allowing for a more informed subsequent design of effective sensors exhibiting XYL selectivity, effective sensitivity, rapid response times (<20 s), and low estimated limits of detection (~1 ppm). Most importantly, the demonstrated XYL sensors are versatile and robust, easily fabricated from common materials, and can effectively detect XYL at <10 ppm in both common alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, requiring only minimal volume (20 µL) of the spiked beverage for a standard addition analysis.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/15/11/1340xylazinebeveragesamperometrysensorscarbon nanotubesdate rape
spellingShingle Arielle Vinnikov
Charles W. Sheppard
Ann H. Wemple
Joyce E. Stern
Michael C. Leopold
An Amperometric Sensor with Anti-Fouling Properties for Indicating Xylazine Adulterant in Beverages
Micromachines
xylazine
beverages
amperometry
sensors
carbon nanotubes
date rape
title An Amperometric Sensor with Anti-Fouling Properties for Indicating Xylazine Adulterant in Beverages
title_full An Amperometric Sensor with Anti-Fouling Properties for Indicating Xylazine Adulterant in Beverages
title_fullStr An Amperometric Sensor with Anti-Fouling Properties for Indicating Xylazine Adulterant in Beverages
title_full_unstemmed An Amperometric Sensor with Anti-Fouling Properties for Indicating Xylazine Adulterant in Beverages
title_short An Amperometric Sensor with Anti-Fouling Properties for Indicating Xylazine Adulterant in Beverages
title_sort amperometric sensor with anti fouling properties for indicating xylazine adulterant in beverages
topic xylazine
beverages
amperometry
sensors
carbon nanotubes
date rape
url https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/15/11/1340
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