Electrochemical detection of illicit sibutramine adulteration in herbal weight-loss products using an AgNPs-ErGO modified electrode: Original scientific paper

Nguyen Dang Thuy Anh; Vo Thi Cam Le; Huynh Van Chung; Ngo Thi Thanh Xuan; Hoang Thi Minh Nguyet; Pham Thi Thanh Ha; Ha Thuy Trang; Le Hoang Hao; Dao Thi Cam Minh; Nguyen Hai Phong; Dinh Quang Khieu

doi:10.5599/admet.3433

Authors

Nguyen Dang Thuy Anh University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Vietnam and Hanoi University of Pharmacy, Vietnam https://orcid.org/0009-0004-4844-0117
Vo Thi Cam Le University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Vietnam https://orcid.org/0009-0002-5743-8487
Huynh Van Chung Buon Ma Thuot Medical University, Vietnam https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7519-1196
Ngo Thi Thanh Xuan Drug, cosmetic and food quality control center of Hue city, Vietnam https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9270-5056
Hoang Thi Minh Nguyet Hue Central Hospital, Vietnam https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2332-0214
Pham Thi Thanh Ha Hanoi University of Pharmacy, Vietnam https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2644-7620
Ha Thuy Trang University of Education, Hue University, Vietnam https://orcid.org/0009-0004-5354-3954
Le Hoang Hao University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Vietnam https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7946-8698
Dao Thi Cam Minh University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Vietnam https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0786-3178
Nguyen Hai Phong University of Science, Hue University, Vietnam https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5354-1052
Dinh Quang Khieu University of Science, Hue University, Vietnam https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3473-6377

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5599/admet.3433

Keywords:

AgNPs–ErGO nanocomposite , Electrochemical sensor, Sibutramine detection, Linear sweep voltammetry, One-step electrochemical synthesis, Herbal product adulteration

Abstract

Background and purpose: Sibutramine is a synthetic anti-obesity drug that has been banned or restricted in many countries due to serious cardiovascular risks. However, its illegal adulteration in herbal weight-loss products remains a public health concern. This study aimed to develop a simple, sensitive, and reliable electrochemical method for the determination of sibutramine in herbal weight-loss products using a silver-nanoparticle-electrochemically reduced graphene oxide modified glassy carbon electrode. Experimental approach: Graphene oxide, electrochemically reduced graphene oxide, silver nanoparticles and
AgNPs-ErGO nanocomposite were synthesized and characterized using X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The AgNPs-ErGO-modified glassy carbon electrode was fabricated and used for sibutramine detection by linear sweep voltammetry. Experimental parameters affecting the analytical signal were optimized. The method was validated according to AOAC guidelines and compared with an HPLC-DAD reference method. Key results: The AgNPs-ErGO/GCE exhibited improved electrochemical response toward sibutramine compared with bare and other modified electrodes. The developed method showed good selectivity, linearity, precision, accuracy, and sensitivity for sibutramine determination. Application to commercial herbal weight-loss samples demonstrated the suitability of the proposed method for real sample analysis, with results comparable to those obtained by HPLC-DAD. Conclusion: The AgNPs-ErGO/ /GCE-based electrochemical method provides a rapid, cost-effective, and reliable approach for detecting sibutramine adulteration in herbal weight-loss products. This work contributes to the development of practical analytical tools for quality control and consumer safety monitoring.

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Electrochemical detection of illicit sibutramine adulteration in herbal weight-loss products using an AgNPs-ErGO modified electrode

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