Ultra-facile and stable electrochemical sensor for rapid detection of arecoline in areca nut and simulated saliva samples

Areca nut (AN) is widely popular in Asian countries due to its medicinal and edible values. Arecoline is the major toxic component in AN product and has been classified as “possibly carcinogenic to humans”. Owing to its oral carcinogenicity and addictive harm, a rapid screening method for estimating arecoline at risk levels is important for consumer and clinical research. In this study, a facile and ultra-stable chemical sensor was investigated and dedicated to monitoring arecoline in AN and saliva samples. The superiority in stability, sensitivity and selectivity was thoroughly explained through theoretical calculations, physicochemical and electrochemical properties. The sensitivity and stability were at least twice as good even after 10 uses or among different sensor batches, while its recoveries remained within 83.23 %-124.30 %. In conclusion, this work provides a new insight into the fabrication, mechanism analysis, and application of rapid analysis systems for reliable sensing toxic substances in human consumption safety.