Sensitive detection of triclosan in environmental samples and personal care products using fish scale-derived activated carbon modified electrode

Triclosan (TCS), a compound used for its antibacterial properties, has recently been recognized as an environmental contaminant that can disrupt endocrine function. Currently, research into the presence of TCS in biological and environmental samples is a significant concern. This research aims to build a novel sensor to detect and quantitatively analyze TCS with carbon paste modified with activated carbon (AC) based on fish scales (FS) in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The investigation included the assessment of TCS contaminated fruits, vegetables, soil, water, and hygiene products using a phosphate buffer saline (PBS) solution with a pH of 9.0. The proposed sensor resulted in higher oxidation currents response of TCS compared to a carbon paste electrode (CPE). The electrochemical properties of TCS were investigated cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry. The fabricated bare and FSAC/CTAB/CPE was characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The structural characteristics, crystallinity, and morphology of the synthesized FSAC were analyzed. In the optimum conditions, a linear relationship was obtained in the range of 5 μM–20 μM TCS, and the detection limit was 4.8 nM. The recovery results obtained with 5, 7, and 9 μM of spiked concentrations of TCS in fruit juice, vegetables, water, and hygiene products ranged from 93.9 % to 108.0 %. With the integration of CTAB, the FSAC/CPE system showed good sensitivity and selectivity. This work demonstrates the possibility of exploiting FSAC for developing electrochemical sensing platforms, which have great potential in food safety and environmental monitoring.