Electrochemical Sensing of Folic Acid and Related Compounds

Folic acid (vitamin B9) and its derivatives play critical roles in DNA synthesis, methylation pathways and cellular metabolism. Accurate quantification of folic acid in clinical, pharmaceutical and food matrices is essential to monitor nutritional status, prevent neural tube defects and assess therapeutic formulations. Electrochemical sensing has emerged as a powerful approach, combining high sensitivity, rapid response, miniaturisation and cost-effectiveness. By employing techniques such as cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, researchers have developed sensors based on modified electrodes incorporating nanomaterials, conducting polymers, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and biomolecular recognition elements. These modifications enhance electron transfer kinetics, increase active surface area and improve selectivity against common interferents such as ascorbic acid and uric acid. Challenges remain in achieving long-term stability, reproducible surface functionalisation and direct analysis in complex biological fluids. Advances also extend to related compounds including pteroic acid, folinic acid and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, which require distinct electrochemical signatures. The global significance of this field spans point-of-care diagnostics, quality control in fortified foods and environmental monitoring of water-soluble vitamins.

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Electrochemical Sensing of Folic Acid and Related Compounds publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in electrochemical sensing of folic acid and related compounds across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Cyclic voltammetry: Electrochemical technique in which electrode potential is linearly swept and resulting current is measured to probe redox processes.

Square wave voltammetry: Pulse voltammetric method applying square-wave potential perturbations atop a staircase waveform for enhanced sensitivity.

Metal–organic framework (MOF): Porous crystalline material formed by metal ions coordinated to organic ligands, offering high surface area and tunable electroactivity.

Nanocomposite: Composite material comprised of nanoparticles dispersed within a matrix to synergistically improve electrical and catalytic properties.

Screen-printed carbon electrode: Disposable electrode fabricated by printing carbon ink onto a substrate, enabling low-cost portable sensing.

Electropolymerisation: Electrochemical method to form conducting polymer films on electrode surfaces for tailored functionalisation.

Limit of detection (LOD): Lowest concentration of analyte that can be distinguished from background noise with defined confidence.

References

1. Sensitive and Stable Electrochemical Sensor for Folic Acid Determination Using a ZIF-67/AgNWs Nanocomposite. Biosensors (2022).
2. Folic Acid Determination in Food Samples Using Green Synthesized Copper Oxide Nanoparticles and Electro-Poly (Methyl Orange) Sensor. Electrocatalysis (2022).
3. Development of Folate-Group Impedimetric Biosensor Based on Polypyrrole Nanotubes Decorated with Gold Nanoparticles. Biosensors (2022).