Molecularly Imprinted Polypyrrole for the selective detection of Dopamine and Serotonin

Abstract

It is well known that dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) play a very significant role in biological systems and have a direct relationship with feelings, mental state, and physiological functions. The measurement of these molecules is of interest as a tool for diagnosis and monitoring of illnesses such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have been used in a growing number of applications to increase selectivity and sensitivity. In this work, the MIP concept was used to develop selective electrochemical sensors for quantitative determination of dopamine and serotonin. The results showed that the sensors have a linear response (R=0.99) between 5.0-50.0 μM, with a limit of detection of 1.04 and 0.89 μM, % RSD of 1.4 and 2.7, and a recovery percentage of 95.1 and 96.4% for a 30.0 μM solutions of DA and 5-HT, respectively. The amperometric response of the sensors was reproducible up to 3 days and not influenced by the presence of several interferents. A sensor was also studied for the simultaneous detection of the two molecules, the results showed a higher response for and with a sensitivity of ca. 70% of individual sensors.