Contribution to Automation for Determination of Drugs Based on Flow-Through Optosensors

The contribution of solid-phase spectroscopy (SPS) from its first conception (batch mode) to developments based on implementing SPS with flow analysis methodologies, flow-through optosensors (FTOs), is discussed. This article reviews the technical status of these sensors and addresses works of different flow technologies for the detection of drugs in pharmaceutical and clinical samples. In order to give readers insight into the features and the potential of FTO, relevant examples of strategies and types of configuration are studied. The reports cited show the characteristics of these systems, including high sensitivity and selectivity, easy automation, less amount of reagent used, and low cost of the equipment. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of the different flow methodologies described as well as a comparison with chromatographic techniques are critically highlighted.