MIP-Based Electrochemical Sensors in the Detection of Opioids, Benzodiazepines and Psychoactive Compounds

The introduction of modern molecular imprinting technology into electrochemical sensors has resulted in a new era of smart diagnostic sensors. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are a specialized group of polymers engineered to contain precise “artificial receptors” or “artificial antibodies” capable of highly selective recognition of target analytes. Adding this unique molecular recognition property to the advantages of electrochemical sensors has paved the way for developing advanced sensing platforms to selectively interact with a diverse range of target analytes, spanning from small biomolecules to organic macromolecules, even within complicated environments. These electrochemical (bio)sensors have extraordinary sensitivity, allowing them to detect trace concentrations of target analytes, and establishing them as key players in advancing health assessment and ecological surveillance, among other applications. Furthermore, their potential for miniaturization paves the way for the design of lab-on-a-chip, biomedical assays, and wearable sensors.

As the advancements in this field continue to progress, the potential for these smart diagnostic assays to revolutionize various industrial sectors becomes increasingly evident. The MIP-based electrochemical sensors hold immense promise for the future, offering unprecedented opportunities for precise, rapid, and accessible diagnostics in diverse scientific domains. This chapter discusses the latest developments in the use of MIP-based electrochemical (bio)sensors for detecting and monitoring opioids and psychoactive compounds, with a focus on biofluids including saliva, urine, sweat and blood as well as synthetic samples and beyond.