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Author Thiruvottriyur Shanmugam, S.; Van Echelpoel, R.; Boeye, G.; Eliaerts, J.; Samanipour, M.; Ching, H.Y.V.; Florea, A.; Van Doorslaer, S.; Van Durme, F.; Samyn, N.; Parrilla, M.; De Wael, K. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Towards developing a screening strategy for ecstasy : revealing the electrochemical profile Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2021 Publication Chemelectrochem Abbreviated Journal Chemelectrochem  
  Volume 8 Issue 24 Pages 4826-4834  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Organic synthesis (ORSY); Applied Electrochemistry & Catalysis (ELCAT); Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab)  
  Abstract This article describes the development of an electrochemical screening strategy for 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), the regular psychoactive compound in ecstasy (XTC) pills. We have investigated the specific electrochemical profile of MDMA and its electro-oxidation mechanisms at disposable graphite screen-printed electrodes. We have proved that the formation of a radical cation and subsequent reactions are indeed responsible for the electrode surface passivation, as evidenced by using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and electrochemistry. Thereafter, pure cutting agents and MDMA as well as simulated binary mixtures of compounds with MDMA were subjected to square wave voltammetry at pH 7 to understand the characteristic electrochemical profile. An additional measurement at pH 12 was able to resolve false positives and negatives occurring at pH 7. Finally, validation of the screening strategy was done by measuring a set of ecstasy street samples. Overall, our proposed electrochemical screening strategy has been demonstrated for the rapid, sensitive, and selective detection of MDMA, resolving most of the false positives and negatives given by the traditional Marquis color tests, thus exhibiting remarkable promises for the on-site screening of MDMA.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000735883700020 Publication Date 2021-12-22  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2196-0216 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 4.136 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 4.136  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:184371 Serial 8680  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Dragan, A.-M.; Truta, F.M.; Tertis, M.; Florea, A.; Schram, J.; Cernat, A.; Feier, B.; De Wael, K.; Cristea, C.; Oprean, R. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Electrochemical fingerprints of illicit drugs on graphene and multi-walled carbon nanotubes Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2021 Publication Frontiers In Chemistry Abbreviated Journal Front Chem  
  Volume 9 Issue Pages 641147  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)  
  Abstract Illicit drugs use and abuse remains an increasing challenge for worldwide authorities and, therefore, it is important to have accurate methods to detect them in seized samples, biological fluids and wastewaters. They are recently classified as the latest group of emerging pollutants as their consumption increased tremendously in recent years. Nanomaterials have gained much attention over the last decade in the development of sensors for a myriad of applications. The applicability of these nanomaterials, functionalized or not, significantly increases and it is therefore highly suitable for use in the detection of illicit drugs. We have assessed the suitability of various nanoplatforms, such as graphene (GPH), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) for the electrochemical detection of illicit drugs. GPH and MWCNTs were chosen as the most suitable platforms and cocaine, 3,4-methylendioxymethamfetamine (MDMA), 3-methylmethcathinone (MMC) and alpha-pyrrolidinovalerophenone (PVP) were tested. Due to the hydrophobicity of the nanomaterials-based platforms which led to low signals, two strategies were followed namely, pretreatment of the electrodes in sulfuric acid by cyclic voltammetry and addition of Tween 20 to the detection buffer. Both strategies led to an increase in the oxidation signal of illicit drugs. Binary mixtures of illicit drugs with common adulterants found in street samples were also investigated. The proposed strategies allowed the sensitive detection of illicit drugs in the presence of most adulterants. The suitability of the proposed sensors for the detection of illicit drugs in spiked wastewaters was finally assessed.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000634708900001 Publication Date 2021-03-16  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2296-2646 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 3.994 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 3.994  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:177704 Serial 7861  
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Author Schram, J.; Thiruvottriyur Shanmugam, S.; Sleegers, N.; Florea, A.; Samyn, N.; van Nuijs, A.L.N.; De Wael, K. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Local conversion of redox inactive molecules into redox active ones : a formaldehyde based strategy for the electrochemical detection of illicit drugs containing primary and secondary amines Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2021 Publication Electrochimica Acta Abbreviated Journal Electrochim Acta  
  Volume 367 Issue Pages 137515  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Toxicological Centre  
  Abstract Electrochemical techniques have evidenced to be highly suitable for the development of portable, rapid and accurate screening methods for the detection of illicit drugs in seized samples. However, the redox inactivity of primary amines, one of the most common functional groups of illicit drugs, masks voltammetric detection in aqueous environment at carbon electrodes and, therefore, leads to false negative results if only these primary amines are present in the structures. This work explores the feasibility of a derivatisation approach that introduces formaldehyde in the measuring conditions in order to achieve methylation, via an Eschweiler-Clarke mechanism, of illicit drugs containing primary and secondary amines, using amphetamine (AMP) and methamphetamine (MET) as model molecules. As a result the electrochemical fingerprint is enriched and thereby the detectability enhanced. A combination of liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOFMS) and square-wave voltammetric (SWV) measurements is employed to identify reaction products and link them to the observed redox peaks. Although an alkaline environment (pH 12.0) proved to increase the reaction yield, a richer electrochemical fingerprint (EF) is obtained in neutral conditions (pH 7.0). Similarly, the addition of formate improved the reaction conversion but reduced the EF by eliminating a redox peak that is attributed to side products formed in the absence of formate. To illustrate the applicability, the derivatisation strategy is applied to several prominent illicit drugs containing primary and secondary amines to demonstrate its EF enriching capabilities. Finally, real street samples from forensic seizures are analysed. Overall, this strategy unlocks the detectability of the hitherto undetectable AMP and other drugs only containing primary amines, while strongly facilitating the identification of MET and analogues. These findings are not limited to illicit drugs, the insights can ultimately be applied to other target molecules containing similar functional groups. (C) 2020 Published by Elsevier Ltd.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000607620700010 Publication Date 2020-11-21  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0013-4686 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 4.798 Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 4.798  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:176083 Serial 8177  
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Author Truta, F.; Florea, A.; Cernat, A.; Tertis, M.; Hosu, O.; De Wael, K.; Cristea, C. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Tackling the problem of sensing commonly abused drugs through nanomaterials and (bio)recognition approaches Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2020 Publication Frontiers In Chemistry Abbreviated Journal Front Chem  
  Volume 8 Issue Pages 561638  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)  
  Abstract We summarize herein the literature in the last decade, involving the use of nanomaterials and various (bio)recognition elements, such as antibodies, aptamers and molecularly imprinted polymers, for the development of sensitive and selective (bio)sensors for illicit drugs with a focus on electrochemical transduction systems. The use and abuse of illicit drugs remains an increasing challenge for worldwide authorities and, therefore, it is important to have accurate methods to detect them in seized samples, biological fluids and wastewaters. They are recently classified as the latest group of “emerging pollutants,” as their consumption has increased tremendously in recent years. Nanomaterials, antibodies, aptamers and molecularly imprinted polymers have gained much attention over the last decade in the development of (bio)sensors for a myriad of applications. The applicability of these (nano)materials, functionalized or not, has significantly increased, and are therefore highly suitable for use in the detection of drugs. Lately, such functionalized nanoscale materials have assisted in the detection of illicit drugs fingerprints, providing large surface area, functional groups and unique properties that facilitate sensitive and selective sensing. The review discusses the types of commonly abused drugs and their toxicological implications, classification of functionalized nanomaterials (graphene, carbon nanotubes), their fabrication, and their application on real samples in different fields of forensic science. Biosensors for drugs of abuse from the last decade's literature are then exemplified. It also offers insights into the prospects and challenges of bringing the functionalized nanobased technology to the end user in the laboratories or in-field.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000589960100001 Publication Date 2020-11-04  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2296-2646 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 5.5 Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 5.5; 2020 IF: 3.994  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:174278 Serial 8639  
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Author de Jong, M.; Sleegers, N.; Schram, J.; Daems, D.; Florea, A.; De Wael, K. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title A Benzocaine‐Induced Local Near‐Surface pH Effect: Influence on the Accuracy of Voltammetric Cocaine Detection Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2020 Publication Analysis & Sensing Abbreviated Journal Anal. Sens.  
  Volume Issue Pages anse.202000012  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)  
  Abstract This work reports on a local induced near-surface pH effect (pHS), due to the presence of one analyte, leading to an influence or even suppression of redox signals of a second analyte present in solution. This concept and its impact on voltammetric sensing is illustrated by focusing on the detection of cocaine in the presence of the common adulterant benzocaine. An in-depth study on the occurring interference mechanism and why it occurs for benzocaine specifically and not for other adulterants was performed through the use of multiple electrochemical strategies. It was concluded that the potential shift and loss of intensity of the squarewave voltammetric cocaine signal in the presence of benzocaine was caused by a local pHS effect. A cathodic pretreatment strategy was developed to nonetheless allow accurate cocaine detection. The gathered insights are useful to explain unidentified phenomena involving compounds with properties similar to benzocaine in voltammetric electroanalysis.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos Publication Date 2020-10-20  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2629-2742 ISBN Additional Links UA library record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes The authors acknowledge financial support from IOF-SBO/POC (UAntwerp), the Fund for Scientific Research (FWO) Flanders, Grant 1S 37658 17N and Grant 1SB 8120N, and VLAIO IM [HBC.2019.2181]. Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number AXES @ axes @c:irua:173031 Serial 6427  
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Author de Jong, M.; Florea, A.; Daems, D.; Van Loon, J.; Samyn, N.; De Wael, K. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Electrochemical Analysis of Speedball-like Polydrug Samples Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2020 Publication Analyst Abbreviated Journal Analyst  
  Volume Issue Pages  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Pharmacology. Therapy; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Product development  
  Abstract Increasing global production, trafficking and consumption of drugs of abuse cause an emerging threat to people’s health and safety. Electrochemical approaches have proven to be useful for on-site analysis of drugs of abuse. However, few attention has been focused on the analysis of polydrug samples, despite these samples causing severe health concerns, certainly when stimulants and depressants are combined, as is the case for Speedball, a mixture of cocaine and heroin. In this work, we provide solutions for the selective detection of cocaine (stimulant) in polydrug samples adulterated with heroin and codeine (depressants). The presence of either one of these compounds in cocaine street samples leads to an overlap with the cocaine signal in square-wave voltammetry measurements at unmodified carbon screen-printed electrodes, leading to inconclusive screening results in the field. The provided solutions to this problem consist of two parallel approaches: (i) cathodic pretreatment of the carbon screen-printed electrode surface prior to measurement in both alkaline and neutral conditions; (ii) electropolymerization of orthophenylenediamine on graphene modified carbon screen-printed electrodes prior to measurement in neutral conditions. Both strategies allow simultaneous detection of cocaine and heroin in speedball samples as well as simultaneous detection of cocaine and codeine. Implementing these strategies in portable devices holds great potential for significantly improved accuracy of on-site cocaine screening in polydrug samples.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000568961600011 Publication Date 2020-07-28  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0003-2654 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 4.2 Times cited Open Access  
  Notes This work was supported by IOF-SBO and IOF-POC from University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; and VLAIO IM [HBC.2019.2181], Brussels, Belgium. Approved Most recent IF: 4.2; 2020 IF: 3.885  
  Call Number AXES @ axes @c:irua:170444 Serial 6395  
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Author De Jong, M.; Sleegers, N.; Florea, A.; Van Loon, J.; van Nuijs, A.L.N.; Samyn, N.; De Wael, K. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Unraveling the mechanisms behind the complete suppression of cocaine electrochemical signals by chlorpromazine, promethazine, procaine, and dextromethorphan Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2019 Publication Analytical chemistry Abbreviated Journal Anal Chem  
  Volume 91 Issue 24 Pages 15453-15460  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Toxicological Centre; Product development  
  Abstract The present work investigates the challenges accompanied by the electrochemical cocaine detection in physiological conditions (pH 7) in the presence of chlorpromazine, promethazine, procaine, and dextromethorphan, frequently used cutting agents in cocaine street samples. The problem translates into the absence of the cocaine oxidation signal (signal suppression) when in a mixture with one of these compounds, leading to false negative results. Although a solution to this problem was provided through earlier experiments of our group, the mechanisms behind the suppression are now fundamentally investigated via electrochemical and liquid chromatography quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS) strategies. The latter was used to confirm the passivation of the electrodes due to their interaction with promethazine and chlorpromazine. Electron transfer mechanisms were further identified via linear sweep voltammetry. Next, adsorption experiments were performed on the graphite screen printed electrodes both with and without potential assistance in order to confirm if the suppression of the cocaine signals is due to passivation induced by the cutting agents or their oxidized products. The proposed strategies allowed us to identify the mechanisms of cocaine suppression for each cutting agent mentioned. Suppression due to procaine and dextromethorphan is caused by fouling of the electrode surface by their oxidized forms, while for chlorpromazine and promethazine the suppression of the cocaine signal is related to the strong adsorption of these (nonoxidized) cutting agents onto the graphite electrode surface. These findings provide fundamental insights in possible suppression and other interfering mechanisms using electrochemistry in general not only in the drug detection sector.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000503910600018 Publication Date 2019-11-14  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0003-2700; 5206-882x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 6.32 Times cited Open Access  
  Notes ; The authors acknowledge financial support from IOF-SBO/POC (UAntwerp) and the Fund for Scientific Research (FWO) Flanders, Grant 1S 37658 17N. ; Approved Most recent IF: 6.32  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:165727 Serial 5887  
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Author Bottari, F.; Moro, G.; Sleegers, N.; Florea, A.; Cowen, T.; Piletsky, S.; van Nuijs, A.L.N.; De Wael, K. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Electropolymerized o-phenylenediamine on graphite promoting the electrochemical detection of nafcillin Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2019 Publication Electroanalysis Abbreviated Journal Electroanal  
  Volume 32 Issue 32 Pages 135-141  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Toxicological Centre  
  Abstract By combining molecular modelling and electrochemistry we envision the creation of modified electrodes tailored for a more sensitive and selective detection of a single analyte. In this study we report on a graphite screen printed electrode modified with electropolymerized o-phenylenediamine, selected by rational design, which promotes the detection of nafcillin (NAF), an antibiotic. Parameters such as monomer concentration, pH and number of electropolymerization cycles were optimized to obtain the highest current signal for the target upon amperometric detection. NAF identification was based on the redox process at +1.1 V (vs pseudo Ag), ascribed to the oxidation of the C-7 side chain. With the optimized modification protocol, a two-fold increase in nafcillin signal could be obtained: the calibration plot in 0.1 M Britton-Robinson buffer pH 4 showed a limit of detection of 80 nM with improved sensitivity and reproducibility (RSD<5 %) compared to the detection at non-modified electrodes.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000482596300001 Publication Date 2019-08-26  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1040-0397 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.851 Times cited 1 Open Access  
  Notes ; FB and GM devised the study and performed the experiments, FB wrote the original draft of the paper and analysed the data, NS and AvN performed the MS experiments, AF helped with the optimization of the protocol and correction of the first draft, TC and SP performed the rational monomer design, KdW supervised the work and corrected the final draft. All authors gave their suggestions and corrections to the final version of the paper. This work was financially supported by the University of Antwerp (BOF) and the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO). ; Approved Most recent IF: 2.851  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:162870 Serial 5601  
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Author Moro, G.; Bottari, F.; Sleegers, N.; Florea, A.; Cowen, T.; Moretto, L.M.; Piletsky, S.; De Wael, K. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Conductive imprinted polymers for the direct electrochemical detection of beta-lactam antibiotics: The case of cefquinome Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2019 Publication Sensors and actuators : B : chemical Abbreviated Journal Sensor Actuat B-Chem  
  Volume 297 Issue 297 Pages 126786  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)  
  Abstract A biomimetic sensor for cefquinome (CFQ) was designed at multi-walled carbon nanotubes modified graphite screen-printed electrodes (MWCNTs-G-SPEs) as a proof-of-concept for the creation of a sensors array for beta-lactam antibiotics detection in milk. The sensitive and selective detection of antibiotic residues in food and environment is a fundamental step in the elaboration of prevention strategies to fight the insurgence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as recommended by authorities around the world (EU, WHO, FDA). The detection strategy is based on the characteristic electrochemical fingerprint of the target antibiotic cefquinome. A conducive electropolymerized molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) coupled with MWCNTs was found to be the optimal electrode modifier, able to provide an increased selectivity and sensitivity for CFQ detection. The design of CFQ-MIP was facilitated by the rational selection of the monomer, 4-aminobenzoic acid (4-ABA). The electropolymerization process of 4-ABA have not been fully elucidated yet; for this reason a thorough study and optimization of electropolymerization conditions was performed to obtain a conducive and stable poly(4-ABA) film. The modified electrodes were characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). CFQ-MIP were synthesized at MWCNT-G-SPEs by electropolyrnerization in pH approximate to 1 (0.1 M sulphuric acid) with a monomer:template ratio of 5:1. Two different analytical protocols were tested (single and double step detection) to minimize unspecific adsorptions and improve the sensitivity. Under optimal conditions, the lowest CFQ concentration detectable by square wave voltammetry (SWV) at the modified sensor was 50 nM in 0.1 M phosphate buffer pH 2.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000478562700020 Publication Date 2019-07-08  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0925-4005 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 5.401 Times cited 4 Open Access  
  Notes ; This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Grant Agreement No. 753223. This work was also supported by FWO. ; Approved Most recent IF: 5.401  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:161777 Serial 5549  
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Author Florea, A.; Cowen, T.; Piletsky, S.; De Wael, K. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Electrochemical analysis of cocaine in real samples based on electrodeposited biomimetic affinity ligands Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2019 Publication The analyst Abbreviated Journal Analyst  
  Volume 144 Issue 15 Pages 4639-4646  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)  
  Abstract A selective electrochemical sensor for direct detection of cocaine was developed based on molecularly imprinted polymers electropolymerized onto graphene-modified electrodes. Palladium nanoparticles were integrated in the sensing layer for the benefit of enhancing the communication between imprinted sites and electrode and improving their homogenous distribution. The molecularly imprinted polymer was synthesized by cyclic voltammetry using p-aminobenzoic acid as high affinity monomer selected by computational modeling, and cocaine as template molecule. Experimental parameters related to the electrochemical deposition of palladium nanoparticles, pH, composition of electropolymerization mixture, extraction and rebinding condition were studied and optimized. Under optimized conditions the oxidation peak current varied linearly with cocaine concentration in the range of 100-500 µM, with a detection limit of 50 µM (RSD 0.71%, n=3). The molecularly imprinted sensor was able to detect cocaine in saliva and river water with good recoveries after sample pretreatment and was successfully applied for screening real street samples for cocaine.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000476812000021 Publication Date 2019-06-10  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0003-2654 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 3.885 Times cited 3 Open Access  
  Notes ; This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Grant Agreement No. 753223 Narcoreader. ; Approved Most recent IF: 3.885  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:160062 Serial 5586  
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Author Florea, A.; Schram, J.; De Jong, M.; Eliaerts, J.; Van Durme, F.; Kaur, B.; Samyn, N.; De Wael, K. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Electrochemical strategies for adulterated heroin samples Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2019 Publication Analytical chemistry Abbreviated Journal Anal Chem  
  Volume 91 Issue 12 Pages 7920-7928  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)  
  Abstract Electrochemical strategies to selectively detect heroin in street samples without the use of complicated electrode modifications were developed for the first time. For this purpose, heroin, mixing agents (adulterants, cutting agent, and impurities), and their binary mixtures were subjected to square wave voltammetry measurements at bare graphite electrodes at pH 7.0 and pH 12.0, in order to elucidate the unique electrochemical fingerprint of heroin and mixing agents as well as possible interferences or reciprocal influences. Adjusting the pH from pH 7.0 to pH 12.0 allowed a more accurate detection of heroin in the presence of most common mixing agents. Furthermore, the benefit of introducing a preconditioning step prior to running square wave voltammetry on the electrochemical fingerprint enrichment was explored. Mixtures of heroin with other drugs (cocaine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, and morphine) were also tested to explore the possibility of their discrimination and simultaneous detection. The feasibility of the proposed electrochemical strategies was tested on realistic heroin street samples from forensic cases, showing promising results for fast, on-site detection tools of drugs of abuse.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000472682000056 Publication Date 2019-05-30  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0003-2700; 5206-882x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 6.32 Times cited 2 Open Access  
  Notes ; This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Grant Agreement No. 753223 Narcoreader. The authors also acknowledge IOF (UAntwerp) and Belspo for financial support. ; Approved Most recent IF: 6.32  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:160061 Serial 5596  
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Author Florea, A.; De Jong, M.; De Wael, K. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Electrochemical strategies for the detection of forensic drugs Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2018 Publication Current opinion in electrochemistry Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 11 Issue 11 Pages 34-40  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)  
  Abstract Illicit drugs consumption and trafficking is spread worldwide and remains an increasing challenge for local authorities. Forensic drugs and their metabolites are released into wastewaters due to human excretion after illegal consumption of drugs and occasionally due to disposal of clandestine laboratory wastes into sewage systems, being recently classified as the latest group of emerging pollutants. Hence, it is essential to have efficient and accurate methods to detect these type of compounds in seized street samples, biological fluids and wastewaters in order to reduce and prevent trafficking and consumption and negative effects on aquatic systems. Electrochemical strategies offer a fast, portable, low-cost and accurate alternative to chromatographic and spectrometric methods, for the analysis of forensic drugs and metabolites in different matrices. Recent electrochemical strategies applied to the detection of illicit drugs in wastewaters, biological fluids and street samples are presented in this review, together with the impact of drug consumption on the environment.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000453710900007 Publication Date 2018-07-21  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2451-9103; 2451-9111 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited 7 Open Access  
  Notes ; This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Grant Agreement No. 753223 Narcoreader. The authors also acknowledge financial support from BELSPO, IOF-SBO and UAntwerp. ; Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:152366 Serial 5597  
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Author De Jong, M.; Florea, A.; Eliaerts, J.; Van Durme, F.; Samyn, N.; De Wael, K. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Tackling poor specificity of cocaine color tests by electrochemical strategies Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2018 Publication Analytical chemistry Abbreviated Journal Anal Chem  
  Volume 90 Issue 11 Pages 6811-6819  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)  
  Abstract This paper presents electrochemical strategies for the fast screening of cocaine and most common cutting agents found in seized drug samples. First, a study on the performance of Scott color tests on cocaine and a wide range of cutting agents is described. The cutting agents causing false positive or false negative results when in mixture with cocaine are identified. To overcome the lack of specificity of color tests, we further propose a fast screening strategy by means of square wave voltammetry on disposable graphite screen printed electrodes, which reveals the unique fingerprint of cocaine and cutting agents. By employing a forward and backward scan and by a dual pH strategy, we enrich the electrochemical fingerprint and enable the simultaneous detection of cocaine and cutting agents. The effectiveness of the developed strategies was tested for the detection of cocaine in seized cocaine samples and compared with the color tests. Moreover, we prove the usefulness of square wave voltammetry for predicting possible interfering agents in color tests, based on the reduction peak of cobalt thiocyanate. The developed electrochemical strategies allow for a quick screening of seized cocaine samples resulting in a selective identification of drugs and cutting agents.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000434893200066 Publication Date 2018-05-09  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0003-2700; 5206-882x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 6.32 Times cited 7 Open Access  
  Notes ; This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Grant Agreement No. 753223 Narcoreader. This work was also supported by Grants BR/314 /PI/APTADRU and IOF-SBO. ; Approved Most recent IF: 6.32  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:151316 Serial 5867  
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Author Florea, A.; Cowen, T.; Piletsky, S.; De Wael, K. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Polymer platforms for selective detection of cocaine in street samples adulterated with levamisole Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2018 Publication Talanta : the international journal of pure and applied analytical chemistry Abbreviated Journal Talanta  
  Volume 186 Issue 186 Pages 362-367  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)  
  Abstract Accurate drug detection is of utmost importance for fighting against drug abuse. With a high number of cutting agents and adulterants being added to cut or mask drugs in street powders the number of false results is increasing. We demonstrate for the first time the usefulness of employing polymers readily synthesized by electrodeposition to selectively detect cocaine in the presence of the commonly used adulterant levamisole. The polymers were selected by computational modelling to exhibit high binding affinity towards cocaine and deposited directly on the surface of graphene-modified electrodes via electropolymerization. The resulting platforms allowed a distinct electrochemical signal for cocaine, which is otherwise suppressed by levamisole. Square wave voltammetry was used to quantify cocaine alone and in the presence of levamisole. The usefulness of the platforms was demonstrated in the screening of real street samples.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000435048800049 Publication Date 2018-04-25  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0039-9140; 1873-3573 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 4.162 Times cited 9 Open Access  
  Notes ; This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Grant Agreement no. 753223 Narcoreader. This work was also supported by IOF-SBO (UAntwerp). The authors thank Gert Nuyts for the help with SEM analyses. ; Approved Most recent IF: 4.162  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:151250 Serial 5777  
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Author De Jong, M.; Florea, A.; de Vries, A.-M.; van Nuijs, A.L.N.; Covaci, A.; Van Durme, F.; Martins, J.C.; Samyn, N.; De Wael, K. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Levamisole : a common adulterant in cocaine street samples hindering electrochemical detection of cocaine Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2018 Publication Analytical chemistry Abbreviated Journal Anal Chem  
  Volume 90 Issue 8 Pages 5290-5297  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Toxicological Centre  
  Abstract The present work investigates the electrochemical determination of cocaine in the presence of levamisole, one of the most common adulterants found in cocaine street samples. Levamisole misleads cocaine color tests, giving a blue color (positive test) even in the absence of cocaine. Moreover, the electrochemical detection of cocaine is also affected by the presence of levamisole, with a suppression of the oxidation signal of cocaine. When levamisole is present in the sample in ratios higher than 1:1, the cocaine signal is no longer detected, thus leading to false negative results. Mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance were used to investigate if the signal suppression is due to the formation of a complex between cocaine and levamisole in bulk solution. Strategies to eliminate this suppressing effect are further suggested in this manuscript. In a first approach, the increase of the pH of the sample solution from pH 7 to pH 12 allowed the voltammetric determination of cocaine in the presence of levamisole in a concentration range from 10 to 5000 μM at nonmodified graphite disposable electrodes with a detection limit of 5 μM. In a second approach, the graphite electrode was cathodically pretreated, resulting in the presence of oxidation peaks of both cocaine and levamisole, with a detection limit for cocaine of 3 μM over the linear range of concentrations from 10 to 2500 μM. Both these strategies have been successfully applied for the simultaneous detection of cocaine and levamisole in three street samples on unmodified graphite disposable electrodes.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000430512200049 Publication Date 2018-02-23  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0003-2700; 5206-882x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 6.32 Times cited 8 Open Access  
  Notes ; This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Grant Agreement No. 753223 Narcoreader. This work was also supported by BR/314/PI/ APTADRU Project and IOF-SBO (UAntwerp). Alexander van Nuijs acknowledges the Research Foundation-Flanders (FWO) for his postdoctoral fellowship. ; Approved Most recent IF: 6.32  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:149528 Serial 5693  
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