Detection of Neurotransmitter by Using Molecular Imprinting Technique

Abstract

A unique molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) film was built on a pencil graphite electrode (PGE), by electropolymerization of pyrrole (monomer) consisting of acetylcholine (template) and ZnO.CuO nanoleaves (NLs). The sensor was modified for electrochemical non-enzymatic detection of acetylcholine. Acetylcholine (ACh) serves as an important neurotransmitter and deviation from its normal level contributes to several neurological diseases. The MIP’s experimental parameters were optimized, and the imprinting effect was verified by contrasting the electrochemical reaction of molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP), with that of non-imprinted polymer (NIP). Among the electrochemical sensors the MIP (PPy. ZnO.CuO NLs)/PGE electrochemical sensor manifested the best performance. It showed a wide linear range from 100.0 picomolar (pM) to 100.0 millimolar (mM). The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were shown to be 9.4 pM and 28.68 mM, correspondingly.