Sensitive determination of the anti-viral drug valganciclovir by a nafion/magnetic nanoparticle-graphene/GCE as a voltammetric sensor

Abstract

In this study, a rapid, selective and sensitive method was developed for the determination of valganciclovir (VLG). The electrochemical oxidation of VLG was studied at the designed sensor based on magnetic nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄), graphene and Nafion via cyclic and square wave voltammetry in a wide pH range. The oxidation signal of the drug was significantly improved, and its peak potential shifted to a negative value; this indicated the catalytic activity of the used electrode modifier. Moreover, optimization of the useful parameters, including the accumulation potential and time, was carried out. The calibration curve was composed of two linear portions in the concentration ranges of 0.005–1.8 μM and 1.8–6 μM with the detection limit of 2.9 nM. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that the fabricated sensor has desirable stability and reproducibility. The selective and sensitive analysis of VLG in blood plasma and commercial tablets as real samples was energetically feasible.