Development of a new method based on nanocomposite hydrogels for the quantification of opioids in biological samples

Abstract

Introduction: Spectrofluorometric methods based on nanocomposite hydrogel using metal-organic framework (MOF) nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), and carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) were designed for the quantification of opioids in human blood plasma samples. In the design of these systems, nanomaterials were inserted into the hydrogel matrix by different ways and were used as sensors to determine the plasma concentration of morphine and pethidine. Objectives: For sensitive quantification of opioids, novel fluorescence nanocomposite hydrogels have been developed. For that, different nanomaterials were used for morphine and pethidine monitoring in human plasma samples.Materials and Methods: In the first part of the thesis, PVA-borax functionalized with AuNPs and UiO-66 was synthesized as a fluorescent sensing probe for selective detection of morphine. For investigating the effect of the synthesis procedure on its performance, AuNPs were incorporated inside the UiO-66 network via a double-solvent approach. In the second platform, a synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (SFS) sensor for pethidine detection is described based on UiO-66-modified N-CQDs embedded in hydrogel nanocomposites. Under optimum conditions, pethidine was detected in human plasma samples. Results: Different reaction parameters were optimized to acquire the efficient sensing performance of the nanoprobes. Under optimal conditions, the designed platforms offer a suitable sensing device with a low LOD of 0.017 µg. mL-1 and a linear range of 0.05 to 2.0 µg. mL-1 for morphine and a linear range of 0.01 to 1.0 µg. mL-1 and a low LOD of 0.002 µg. mL-1 for pethidine monitoring in human plasma samples. Discussion: Nanomaterials were employed as nanofillers and reinforcement of the host PVA hydrogel network. It can be deduced that these two novel biocompatible interfaces could offer reliable, rapid, and user-friendly sensing devices for the determination of morphine and pethidine in blood samples of recipient patients.