Molecularly Imprinted Electrochemical Sensor for Determination of Tetrahydrocannabinol in Human Blood Plasma

Abstract

The goal of this study was to create a molecular imprinting-based sensor on MWCNTs modified electrode for the selective determination of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) as doping agent in biological fluids samples of athletes. as a doping agent in athlete biological fluid samples. The MWCNTs nanostructures were electrodeposited on the screen printed carbon electrode (MWCNTs/SPCE), and MIP was electropolymerized on the MWCNTs/SPCE surface (MIP/MWCNTs/SPCE). SEM and XRD analyses revealed that a thin layer of MIP particles covered MWCNTs without changing their morphology. Electrochemical studies using CV and DPV measurements revealed that MIP/MWCNTs nanostructured electrodes significantly improved electrocatalytic activity and electivity. Results demonstrated that the minimal detectable limit for Δ9-THC was 0.37 ng/mL (S/N=3), the sensitivity of MIP/MWCNTs/SPCE THC was obtained at 0.00155 μA/ng.mL-1, and linearity was over a concentration range of 0-3150 ng/mL with correlation coefficients of the standard curves > 0.99. The applicability and validity of MIP/MWCNTs/SPCE were investigated for Δ9-THC determination level in a cyclist's blood plasma sample, and results showed that the acceptable relative standard deviation (4.25%) and relative recovery (99.75%) values indicated that the developed method can be used for Δ9-THC determination level in clinical samples.