A sensitive electrochemical sensor for bisphenol F detection and its application in evaluating cytotoxicity

As an alternative to bisphenol A, bisphenol F (BPF) has been widely used in recent years. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop sensitive and fast methods to monitor the concentration and toxicity of BPF. Herein, a novel, modified nanocomposite electrode for the determination of BPF concentration was fabricated using carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes, Prussian blue, and Au nanoparticles. The electrode displayed a synergistic effect and enhanced the electrochemical oxidation of BPF. The oxidation peak current of BPF was linear relative to concentration in the ranges of 0.05-20 mu M and 20-200 mu M. The lowest detection limit was 5.0 x 10-3 mu M (S/N = 3). The sensor was successfully applied to the detection of BPF in real water samples. The proposed electrochemical sensor also showed outstanding electrocatalytic activity toward purine bases of human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) cells. The cytotoxicity of BPF was evaluated, and its half-inhibitory concentration (IC50) value was 114.82 mu M. This electrochemical sensor can be used as a promising green alternative to traditional detection methods for BPF in aqueous environments.

Automated summary

A novel, modified nanocomposite electrode was developed for the determination of bisphenol F concentration, showing excellent performance and successfully applied in the detection of BPF in real water samples. Additionally, the electrochemical sensor exhibited outstanding catalytic activity towards human hepatocarcinoma cells.