Recently, the abnormal level of zinc emerged as a powerful indicator or risk factor for metabolic, endocrine, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases, including cancer. Electrochemical detection has been explored to quantify zinc in a precise, rapid, and non-expensive way; however, most of the current electrochemical systems lack in specificity. In this work we studied a highly selective and sensitive electrochemical method to detect quickly and reliably free zinc ions (Zn2+). The surface of the working electrode was modified with zincon electropolymerized on carbon nanotube (CNT) to enable the binding of zinc in complex body fluids. After being physicochemically characterized, the performances of the zincon-CNT complex was electrochemically assessed. Square Wave Voltammetry (SWV) was used to determine the calibration curve and the linear range of zinc quantification in artificial saliva and urine. This zincon- CNT system could specifically quantify mobile Zn2+ in salivary and urinary matrices with a sensitivity of ~100 ng·mL-1 and a limit of detection (LOD) of ~20 ng·mL-1. Zincon-modified CNT presented as a desirable candidate for the detection and quantification of free zinc in easily body fluids that potentially can become a diagnostic non-invasive testing platform.
Keywords: carbon nanotube; complexation; electrochemical detection; saliva; urine; zinc quantification; zincon.