Advancement in electrochemical sensing of chloramphenicol in varying matrixes: A review

• CAP is a broad-spectrum antibiotic with high toxicity and environmental persistence. • Traditional methods (HPLC, GC, LC-MS, ELISA) are costly and slow for routine use. • Electrochemical sensing is rapid, portable, low-cost, and ideal for limited settings. • Nanomaterials and polymers boost conductivity, catalysis, and sensor selectivity. Chloramphenicol (CAP) have demonstrated its broad effectiveness against bacterial infections. However, its persistence in the environment and potential toxicity led to strict global regulations limiting its use. As a result, rapid and accurate detection methods for CAP are being developed to protect public health and maintain regulatory compliance regarding its presence in the environment. Conventional analytical methods such as High-Performance Liquid Chromatography, Gas Chromatography, and Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry were commonly used for CAP detection. However, these conventional methods suffer challenges such as time-consumption, fabrication complexity, reproducibility, and cost. With electrochemical sensing techniques presenting varying valuable benefits, such as instant detection, low power consumption, simultaneous analysis, and portability, making them essential for timely monitoring of various analytes. The performance of electrochemical sensor is further boosted by integrating materials such as spinels, metal oxides, and metallic nanoparticles. These materials are broadly investigated as electrode interface components thanks to their features that collectively boost electrochemical sensor such as providing excellent electrical conductivity, distinct catalytic behavior, and larger surface areas. Furthermore, this paper reviews the impact of traditional and standards analytical methods, as well as their recent advancement based on the detection of CAP in aqueous media.