ABSTRACT
The chemical stability of azithromycin (AZM) may be compromised depending on the imposed thermo-oxidative conditions. This report addresses evidence of this process under varying conditions of temperature (20-80 °C), exposure time to UV radiation (1-3 h irradiation at 257 nm), and air saturation (1-3 h saturation with atmospheric air at 1.2 L min-1 and 15 kPa) through electrochemical measurements performed with a thermoactivated cerium molybdate (Ce2(MoO4)3)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT)-based composite electrode. Thermal treatment at 120 °C led to coordinated water elimination in Ce2(MoO4)3, improving its electrocatalytic effect on antibiotic oxidation, while MWCNT were essential to reduce the charge-transfer resistance and promote signal amplification. Theoretical-experimental data revealed remarkable reactivity for the irreversible oxidation of AZM on the working sensor using phosphate buffer (pH = 8) prepared in CH3OH/H2O (10:90%, v/v). Highly sensitive (230 nM detection limit) and precise (RSD < 4.0%) measurements were recorded under these conditions. The results also showed that AZM reduces its half-life as the temperature, exposure time to UV radiation, and air saturation increase. This fact reinforces the need for continuous quality control of AZM-based pharmaceuticals, using conditions closer to those observed during their transport and storage, reducing impacts on consumers' health.
ABSTRACT
Fungal lectins have enormous biotechnological potential, but limited knowledge about their biochemical and biophysical features prevents their proper use. Herein, we report an innovative alternative to use Ganoderma applanatum lectin (GAL) as a glucose biorecognition element, after identifying the ideal electroanalytical conditions by machine learning studies performed with a homologous agglutinin from the same macrofungus. The research revealed that GAL has moderate resistance to pH (4-8) and temperature (20-60 °C) variations, but its hemagglutinating activity (376.5 HU mg-1 GAL at 20 °C) was better conserved under physiological conditions. Integrating electrochemical data and semi-empirical molecular modeling, biocompatible and electrostatically favorable conditions were found to immobilize the lectin on Prussian blue-modified glassy carbon electrode, after thermal activation of the metal-complex film. The glucose dose-response relationship obtained with the developed biosensor, defined as GAL/ta-PB/GCE, showed a typical Hill equation correlation, suggesting electrodic interactions represented by a sigmoidal mathematical function. GAL/ta-PB/GCE achieved remarkable electroanalytical performance, with emphasis on the detection limit (10.2 pM) and sensitivity (0.012 µA µM-1cm-2). The biosensor was successfully used to quantify glucose in pharmaceutical formulations, reiterating that the association of theoretical and experimental information drives important advances in bioelectrochemical studies.
