Abstract
Kasugamycin residues (KASU), a pest control antibiotic, was reported as an ecosystem threat owing to its over-application in plant protection to meet the growing global need for agronomic products. Therefore, we report herein the first electrochemical sensor for fast and sensitive analysis of KASU in vegetables based on the synergetic hybridization between conducting polyserine film (poly (SER)), and carbon nanomaterials including functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (fMWCNTs) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The sensor was characterized morphologically using Scanning electron (SEM) and atomic force Microscopy (AFM), while cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used for electrochemical characterization. Under the optimized conditions using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), the sensor exhibited an outstanding sensitivity and selectivity, with a good linear response of 3-106 µg/mL and an assessed limit of detection and quantification of 0.40 and 1.33 µg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the electrochemical sensor was effectively applied to quantify KASU in cucumber, zucchini, and carrots with a recovery range 95.5-100.1%, and RSD lower than 4.1% (n = 3), showing its applicability and efficiency for selective analysis of KASU in foodstuffs.