A novel highly sensitive clay-based sensor for the detection of ketoconazole: an electrochemical approach

A highly sensitive voltametric technique has been developed for the electrochemical oxidation of ketoconazole (KTZ), a member of the azole antifungal drug class renowned for its inhibitory effect on fungal growth. Employing a tailored glassy carbon electrode TiO₂-HNC/GCE, this method exhibits exceptional sensitivity and specificity in KTZ determination. Characterization of the electrode was meticulously conducted through XRD and SEM–EDS analyses. The well-established cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV) were utilized to explore KTZ analysis. Optimal oxidation of KTZ was noticed at a pH of 7.0. The process displayed an irreversible and diffusion-controlled nature. A linear detection range spanning from 1.0 to 10.0 μM was delineated through concentration variance assessments. Notably, the detection limit was determined to be 1.67 nM and the quantification limit was calculated to be 5.58 nM, which was found to be surpassing most of the previous findings. The applicability of the developed sensor was tested for KTZ concentration detection in biological samples and pharmaceutical samples. Evaluation of vital parameters underscores the ability of the sensor in terms of stability and sensitivity, rendering it conducive for employment in pharmacokinetics and quality control laboratories.