Nanohybrid Comprising Gold Nanoparticles - MoS2 Nanosheets for Electrochemical Sensing of Folic Acid in Serum Samples

Folic acid (FA) deficiency is associated with several clinical conditions such as megaloblastic anemia, neuropsychiatric, and pregnancy-related syndromes, this makes FA an important metabolite to be monitored. We have fabricated an electrochemical biosensor based on gold nanoparticles decorated molybdenum disulfide nanosheets (AuNPs-MoS(2)NSs) nanocomposite as a transducer matrix for specific and rapid electrochemical detection of FA. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) studies displayed a rapid analytical response of the fabricated AuNPs-MoS(2)NSs/GCE sensor probe towards FA in a wide concentration range of 0.001-100 mu M with a very low detection limit of 0.72 +/- 0.03 nM. The selectivity of the fabricated sensor probe has been examined in the presence of interferents such as dopamine, uric acid, ascorbic acid, glucose, and urea. The clinical potential of the fabricated biosensor was established by monitoring FA in human serum samples. The developed AuNPs-MoS(2)NSs/GCE sensor probe showed high reproducibility and stability, indicating its promise for FA detection in clinical settings.

Automated summary

In this study, an electrochemical biosensor based on AuNPs-MoS(2)NSs nanocomposite was developed for specific and rapid detection of FA. The sensor exhibited a low detection limit and good selectivity in the presence of interferents. It showed clinical potential in monitoring FA in human serum samples, demonstrating high reproducibility and stability.