A novel approach to detecting doping agents in food using electrochemical sensor based on zinc oxide/graphene oxide nanocomposites

This article proposes a unique method for the detection of the common doping drug Nandrolone (NDL) utilizing an electrochemical sensor based on a ZnO/GO nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrode (ZIF8/GO/GCE) produced from metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). The accurate and sensitive detection of NDL, a prohibited doping agent in sports, is crucial for ensuring fair play and protecting athletes’ health. With its improved sensitivity and selectivity, the suggested sensor provides a quick, easy, and affordable way to detect NDLs. This makes it appropriate for on-site testing in intricate matrices such as biological, medicinal, and food samples. High precision and dependability are ensured by the special material combination, which takes advantage of the sensor’s high surface sensitivity, selectivity, and stability. The sensor is a dependable instrument for these kinds of applications since it demonstrates excellent stability and repeatability in the electrochemical detection process. Using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) measurements on real-world substances such as human serum, apples, and tap water, the suggested sensor’s practical applicability was evaluated. With recovery rates ranging from 94.00 to 99.00%, the results highlight the ZIF8/GO/GCE sensor’s exceptional precision for NDL detection and highlight its accuracy and dependability in clinical and food industry applications. Significantly, the sensor exhibited a sensitivity of 0.33074 µA/µM, a wide linear range from 0.5 µM to 138 µM, and a limit of detection as low as 0.09 µM. This study highlights how nanotechnology might improve analytical techniques and encourage fair play in sports.