A reduced graphene oxide-β-cyclodextrin nanocomposite-based electrode for electrochemical detection of curcumin

Curcumin is a polyphenolic compound with anti-oxidative and anti-cancer properties that is obtained from turmeric plants. Several studies have demonstrated that cancer cells are not killed unless they are exposed to 5-50 mM of curcumin. Consequently, it is vital to control the concentration of curcumin in cancer therapy. In this study, a sensitive electrochemical sensor was fabricated based on a beta-cyclodextrin-reduced graphene oxide (β-CD-rGO) nanocomposite for measuring curcumin concentration. The effects of experimental factors were investigated and the optimum parametric conditions were determined using the Taguchi optimization method. The β-CD-rGO modified electrode exhibited good electrochemical properties for curcumin detection. The results of differential pulse voltammetry experiments unveiled that the sensor shows a linear response to curcumin concentration over the range of 0.05-10 mM with a detection limit of 33 nM and sensitivity of 4.813 μA μM⁻¹. The fabricated sensor exhibited selectivity in the presence of other electroactive species,e.g., propranolol, clomipramine and clonazepam.