Electrochemical nanoprobe for highly sensitive and simultaneous detection of ascorbic acid, dopamine, and uric acid

The detection of ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine (DA), and uric acid (UA) is critical due to their significant roles in human metabolism and health. Abnormal levels of these biomolecules are linked to conditions such as mental illness, Parkinson’s disease, hyperuricemia, and leukemia. This work presents electrochemical (EC) nanoprobes for the simultaneous and highly sensitive detection of AA, DA, and UA. Using a gold-coated glass nanopipette as gold nanoelectrode (AuNE), which is functionalized with a reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) composite, the proposed sensor platform offers excellent sensitivity and selectivity for the detection of DA and UA. Furthermore, hydroxyapatite (HAP) coated AuNE is employed to target AA specifically. The recovery rate of each chemical is higher than 80 % in the mixture of AA, DA, and UA. Finally, the nanoprobes were tested in biological fluids, with recovery rates exceeding 80 % for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and brain interstitial fluid (BIF). This study provides a promising approach for the real-time monitoring of these critical metabolites in clinical settings.