Graphitic carbon nitride and APTES modified advanced electrochemical biosensor for detection of 17β-estradiol in spiked food samples

Abstract

This work demonstrates a simple and inexpensive electrochemical biosensing pathway for selective and sensitive recognition of 17β-estradiol (E2) in environmental and food samples. The biosensing system is based on graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) and a conductive polymer 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). The proposed biosensor shows the ability to detect E2 in attomolar levels within a wide linear logarithm concentration range of 1 × 10⁻⁶ to 1 × 10⁻¹⁸ mol L⁻¹ with a limit of detection (LOD) of 9.9 × 10⁻¹⁹ mol L⁻¹. The selectivity of the developed biosensor was confirmed by conducting the DPV of similarly structured hormones and naturally occurring substances. The proposed biosensor is highly stable and applicable to detect E2 in the presence of spiked food and environmental samples with satisfactory recoveries ranging from 95.1 to 104.8%. So, the designed electrochemical biosensor might be an effective alternative tool for the detection of E2 and other endogenous substances to attain food safety.