Simultaneous electrochemical detection of dopamine and tryptophan using 3d goethite–spongin composites

Abstract

In this study, a facile approach for simultaneous determination of dopamine (DA) and tryptophan (TRP) using a 3D goethite–spongin-modified carbon paste electrode is reported. The prepared electrode exhibited excellent electrochemical catalytic activity towards DA and TRP oxidation. The electrochemical sensing of the modified electrode was investigated using cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Through differential pulse voltammetry analysis, two well-separated oxidation peaks were observed at 28 and 77 mV, corresponding to the oxidation of DA and TRP at the working electrode, with a large peak separation of up to 490 mV. DA and TRP were determined both individually and simultaneously in their dualistic mixture. As a result, the anodic peak currents and the concentrations of DA and TRP were found to exhibit linearity within the ranges of 4–246 µM for DA and 2 to 150 µM for TRP. The detection limits (S/N = 3) as low as 1.9 µM and 0.37 µM were achieved for DA and TRP, respectively. The proposed sensor was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of DA and TRP in human urine samples with satisfactory recoveries (101% to 116%).