Electrochemical Detection of Bioactive Compounds
Summary
Electrochemical detection exploits redox reactions at tailored electrode interfaces to quantify a wide range of biologically active molecules, from small metabolites and pharmaceuticals to signalling biomolecules. Techniques such as voltammetry, amperometry and impedance spectroscopy offer rapid analysis, high sensitivity and the potential for miniaturisation. Advances in electrode materials—including carbon allotropes, metal oxides and hybrid nanocomposites—have driven improvements in analytical performance, selectivity and operational stability. Tailored surface chemistries and nanostructuring strategies enhance electron transfer kinetics and reduce fouling, supporting applications in clinical diagnostics, environmental monitoring and food safety. Emerging multiplexed platforms and wearable devices further extend the reach of electrochemical sensors into point-of-care testing and real-time monitoring, underlining their global significance and practical utility.
Research from Nature Portfolio
Recent studies have introduced graphene oxide composites functionalised with hydrazide anchors that achieve nanomolar detection of caffeine through enhanced electroactive surface area and catalysed oxidation kinetics. Device optimisation has yielded detection limits below 10⁻⁸ M and real sample validation in beverage and pharmaceutical matrices. Complementary work has developed multiplexed electrochemical arrays employing doped graphene electrodes to monitor several vitamins and bioactive drugs simultaneously in physiological fluids, combining differential pulse voltammetry with advanced signal deconvolution to resolve overlapping oxidation peaks and attain high-throughput analysis in clinical settings.
Electrochemical Detection of Bioactive Compounds publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in electrochemical detection of bioactive compounds across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Cyclic voltammetry: A technique in which the electrode potential is swept cyclically to study redox processes and determine oxidation/reduction potentials.
Amperometry: Measurement of current at a fixed potential over time to quantify analyte concentration based on Faradaic current.
Differential pulse voltammetry: A voltammetric method applying a series of potential pulses superimposed on a linear sweep for enhanced resolution and sensitivity.
Boron-doped diamond electrode: An electrode material with a wide potential window, low background current and high stability for trace analysis.
Molecularly imprinted polymer: A synthetic polymer matrix engineered with template-shaped cavities for selective binding of target molecules.
Screen-printed electrode: A low-cost, disposable electrode platform produced by printing conductive inks onto substrates for on-site sensing applications.
Graphene oxide: A chemically modified graphene derivative rich in oxygen functionalities, used to enhance sensor surface area and facilitate electron transfer.
References
- An electrochemical sensor for nanomolar detection of caffeine based on nicotinic acid hydrazide anchored on graphene oxide (NAHGO). Scientific Reports (2021).
- Simultaneous Determination of Uric Acid and Caffeine by Flow Injection Using Multiple-Pulse Amperometry. Biosensors (2023).
- Simultaneous Voltammetric Detection of Acetaminophen and Caffeine Base on Cassava Starch—Fe3O4 Nanoparticles Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode. Chemosensors (2019).
- Simultaneous Voltammetric Determination of Acetaminophen, Ascorbic Acid and Uric Acid by Use of Integrated Array of Screen-Printed Electrodes and Chemometric Tools. Sensors (2019).
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