Voltammetric Quantification of the Antibiotic Roxarsone using a Surface‐Modified Screen‐Printed Carbon Electrode

Abstract Herein, we report the electrochemical determination of roxarsone (ROX) on modified screen‐printed carbon electrodes (SPCE). Graphene oxide was reduced electrochemically on the working area of SPCE using cyclic voltammetry (CV) to form electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ErGO), followed by electrochemical deposition of gold (Au) on ErGO/SPCE to get a final modified electrode Au/ErGO/SPCE. The modified electrode offered a significant surface area and improved electron transfer capability; hence it was used as an electrochemical sensor for the determination of ROX which is commonly used in meat production and poultry as a supplement to increase weight and improve feed efficiency. The effect of pH on the electrochemical behaviour of ROX on the Au/ErGO/SPCE was investigated by (CV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV). Under optimum experimental conditions, the linear calibration range, the limit of detection (LOD), and quantification (LOQ) were found to be 1 μmol L −1 –1000 μmol L −1 , 14.4 nmol L −1 , and 47.9 nmol L −1 respectively. The proposed electrochemical sensor was successfully applied to determine low concentrations of ROX in lab samples as well as in real meat (spiked) samples. Overall, a good recovery rate and accuracy were obtained, endorsing onsite use of the developed sensor for quick and accurate analysis.