Preparation of a glassy carbon electrode modified with saffron conjugated silver nanoparticles for the sensitive and selective electroanalytical determination of amoxicillin in urine samples

Abstract

Determination of antibiotics is crucial in order to assess their potential impacts on human health and the environment. This study aimed to develop a modified glassy carbon electrode with saffron conjugated silver nanoparticles for the determination of amoxicillin antibiotic in urine samples. The modified electrode was prepared by electrodeposition of silver nanoparticles on the electrode surface, followed by deposition of amoxicillin on the surface. The electrochemical behavior of the modified electrode was studied by cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry. The results showed that the modified electrode exhibited enhanced electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of amoxicillin. The calibration curve was linear in the concentration range from 1.273 × 10⁻⁴ g L⁻¹ to 2.217 × 10⁻³ g L⁻¹, with a high linear correlation coefficient of 0.9998. The detection limit was determined to be 4.199 × 10⁻⁵ g L⁻¹. The precision of the sensor was adequate, with relative standard deviations of 4.3% and 4.0% for AMX concentrations of 9.199 × 10⁻⁵ g L⁻¹ and 1.194 × 10⁻⁴ g L⁻¹, respectively. The modified electrode was then applied to the determination of amoxicillin in urine samples. The method showed linearity over the amoxicillin concentration range from 0.00 to 2.00 × 10⁻⁴ g L⁻¹, with a detection limit of 9.739 × 10⁻⁶ g L⁻¹, indicating the potential of the modified electrode for the determination of amoxicillin in biological samples. Overall, the modified glassy carbon electrode with silver nanoparticles showed very promising results for the sensitive and selective determination of amoxicillin in urine samples.