Novel Electrochemical Paper-Based Immunocapture Assay for the Quantitative Determination of Ethinylestradiol in Water Samples

We report a novel and innovative electrochemical paper-based immunocapture assay (EPIA) to address the need for ultrasensitive detection of emerging pollutants without regulatory status and whose effects on environment and human health are not completely yet understood. In particular, we present the application of this system toward highly sensitive detection of the emerging pollutant ethinyl estradiol (EE2). The EPIA approach is based on the use of paper microzones modified with silica nanoparticles (SNs) and anti-EE2 specific antibodies for capture and preconcentration of EE2 from river water samples. After the preconcentration procedure, the paper microzones are placed onto a screen-printed carbon electrode modified with electrochemically reduced graphene (RG). The bound EE2 is subsequently desorbed adding a diluted solution of sulfuric acid on the paper microzones. Finally, recovered EE2 is electrochemically detected by OSWV. The proposed novel methodology showed an appropriate LOD and linear range for the quantification of EE2 for water samples with different origins. The nonsophisticated equipment required, the adequate recovery values obtained (from 97% to 104%, with a RSD less than 4.9%), and the appropriate LOD and linear range value (0.1 ng L-1 and 0.5-120 ng L-1, respectively) achieved by our immunocapture sensor present significant analytical figures of merit, particularly when the routine quantification of EE2 is considered. In addition, our system was based on electrochemical paper-based technology, which allows obtainment of portable, easy-to-use, inexpensive, and disposable devices. The EPIA can also serve as a general-purpose immunoassay platform applicable to quantitation of other drugs and emerging pollutants in environmental samples.