Alcian Blue-Modified Carbon Paste Electrode for Cyclic Voltammetric Detection of Salbutamol Sulphate

Abstract

This research presents the development and characterization of an Alcian blue (AB)-modified carbon paste electrode (ABMCPE) for the electrochemical detection of salbutamol sulfate (SBS) using cyclic voltammetry in a phosphate buffer solution at pH 7.2. The study highlights the significant improvement in electrochemical behavior and sensitivity for SBS detection when utilizing ABMCPE compared to a bare carbon paste electrode (CPE). Cyclic voltammetry demonstrated that SBS undergoes irreversible oxidation at 611 mV on bare CPE, whereas the ABMCPE exhibited enhanced peak currents and introduced secondary oxidation peaks at neutral pH due to the presence of AB as an electron mediator. The electrochemical characteristics, including the effects of pH and scan rate, were systematically analyzed, revealing a diffusion-controlled mechanism for SBS oxidation on the ABMCPE. The method exhibited a low detection limit confirming the electrode's applicability in pharmaceutical formulations. Notably, the ABMCPE successfully quantified SBS in commercial asthma tablets, demonstrating its potential for practical biosensor applications. This study underscores the advantages of ABMCPEs, including enhanced sensitivity, straightforward preparation, and cost-effectiveness, positioning them as valuable tools for drug monitoring and detection in clinical settings.