A novel high selective and sensitive metronidazole voltammetric sensor based on a molecularly imprinted polymer-carbon paste electrode

The design and construction of a highly selective voltammetric sensor for metronidazole by using a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) as recognition element were introduced. A metronidazole selective MIP and a nonimprinted polymer (NIP) were synthesized and then incorporated in the carbon paste electrodes (CPEs). The sensor was applied for metronidazole determination using cathodic stripping voltammetric method. The MIP-CP electrode showed very high recognition ability in comparison to NIP-CPE. Some parameters affecting the sensor response were optimized and then the calibration curve was plotted. Two dynamic linear ranges of 5.64 x 10(-5) to 2.63 x 10(-3) mg L-1 and 2.63 x 10(-3) to 7.69 x 10(-2) mg L-1 were obtained. The detection limit of the sensor was calculated as 3.59 x 10(-5) mg L-1. This sensor was used successfully for metronidazole determination in biological fluids. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.