A reduced graphene oxide-β-cyclodextrin nanocomposite-based electrode for electrochemical detection of curcumin

Curcumin is a polyphenolic compound with anti-oxidative and anti-cancer properties that is obtained from turmeric plants. Several studies have demonstrated that cancer cells are not killed unless they are exposed to 5–50 mM of curcumin. Consequently, it is vital to control the concentration of curcumin in cancer therapy. In this study, a sensitive electrochemical sensor was fabricated based on a beta-cyclodextrin–reduced graphene oxide (β-CD–rGO) nanocomposite for measuring curcumin concentration. The effects of experimental factors were investigated and the optimum parametric conditions were determined using the Taguchi optimization method. The β-CD–rGO modified electrode exhibited good electrochemical properties for curcumin detection. The results of differential pulse voltammetry experiments unveiled that the sensor shows a linear response to curcumin concentration over the range of 0.05–10 mM with a detection limit of 33 nM and sensitivity of 4.813 μA μM(−1). The fabricated sensor exhibited selectivity in the presence of other electroactive species, e.g., propranolol, clomipramine and clonazepam.