Synthesis, characterization and application of novel composite nano-materials for the electrochemical detection of MRSA and related drugs.

Abstract

This thesis reports the development of electroanalytical methods applicable for detection of MRSA and selected antibacterial drugs; vancomycin and ciprofloxacin. The detection techniques used to carryout all electrochemical measurements involved Ag/AgCl (3 M KCl)) as reference electrode, platinum wire as the counter electrode and the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) as the working electrode. Firstly, to carry out the detection of vancomycin as single shot detection assay comprising of poly acrylic acid modied copper tricarboxylic acid based metal organic framework was employed. Cyclic voltammetry was used to carry out the highly sensitive detection of vancomycin. Ciprofloxacin was detected by modification of the GCE by beta cyclodextrin modified silver nanoparticles (Ag-β-CD/GCE) and by modifying another electrode with poly(phenol red)/reduced graphene oxide (rGO/PPR/GCE). Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was used to carry out the detection of the drug in various analytes such as animal blood serum, urine and domestic waste water samples. Finally, the electrode was modified with copperbeta-cyclodextrin-graphene oxide composite conjugated with vancomycin to act as a thernostic tool for detection and treatment of MRSA bacterial strains. DPV and impedance spectroscopy was used to carry out optimization and further the detection of MRSA. The designed sensors provided good sensitivity and low LOD for detection of the respective analytes with good specificity. Thus, the present study demonstrates a promising and alternative approach for clinical analysis and quality control of vancomycin and ciprofloxacin.