A cost-effective method for the sensitive detection of levofloxacin using a 3D composite electrode composed of nail polish, graphite and aluminium oxide

Abstract

The potential impact on human health and the environment has spurred significant interest in detecting and quantifying pharmaceutical compounds across various matrices, from environmental to biological samples. Here, we present an electrochemical approach for determining levofloxacin in drug, synthetic urine, water, and breast milk samples. An affordable sensor was constructed using 3D printing and composite material based on nail polish, graphite, and aluminum oxide. The conductive composite material was characterized spectroscopically, electrochemically, and by imaging techniques. Subsequently, an electrochemical method based on square wave voltammetry was optimized and applied. The method exhibited good sensitivity (5.11 ± 0.0912 μA L μmol⁻¹ cm⁻²) and enhanced stability (RSD = 7.2%), with electrochemical responses correlating with the concentration of levofloxacin in the samples tested, yielding recovery values in the range of 98 to 111%. The developed method demonstrated a robust linear working range from 2 to 100 μmol L⁻¹ and a nanomolar detection limit of 128 nmol L⁻¹, rendering it suitable for quantitative analysis. The sensor also shows promise as a platform for the sensitive detection of pharmaceutical compounds, contributing to greater safety and sustainability in these domains.