The Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Cluj-Napoca (UMF) and the Axes Research Group and the NANOlab Center of Excellence of the University of Antwerp (UA) have prepared two posters to be shown at the XXVI International Symposium on Bioelectrochemistry and Bioenergetics with the results of their work within BorderSens project.
The poster “Electrochemical Fingerprinting of Cocaine in Street and Water Samples Using a Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes-Based Sensor” presents a research on the influence of several platforms, such as graphite and graphite modified with nanomaterials, for the detection of cocaine and the most common adulterants found in the mixture with this drug of abuse. Two electrolytic media with different pH values were used, and real samples were successfully analyzed in order to have enough insights for the detection of cocaine in real scenarios. A calibration curve was also performed and the quantitative analysis of cocaine from different type of real samples ( waste water, tap water, and seized samples) were successfully performed.
On the other hand, the poster “Electrochemical Fingerprinting of MDMA for Fast Analysis in Street and Water Samples Using a Graphene-Based Sensor” explores the potential of electrochemical fingerprinting of MDMA for its selective and sensitive detection. Giving the heterogeneous purity of the illicit drugs on the market, the influence of several known adulterants/cutting agents on the electrochemical signal of MDMA was studied by testing a series of binary mixtures on the most suitable platform (graphene). Also, the method was characterized by analytical parameters such as calibration curve, limit of detection and limit of quantification in order to evaluate its performance. Finally, the electrochemical detection of MDMA was performed in street samples and spiked waters, showing the applicability of the presented method in the field of illicit drug detection.
Although initially planned to be hosted in the heart of Transylvania, within the city of Cluj-Napoca, Romania, considering the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the BES Council together with the local organizers, have opted for the organization of the online version of the XXVI International Symposium on Bioelectrochemistry and Bioenergetics. The main purpose of this meeting is to provide a forum for in-depth discussions on various aspects of bioelectrochemistry, as well as, to offer an opportunity to PhD students and young researchers to deepen their knowledge in various fundamental and practical aspects of modern bioelectrochemical investigations.