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REVIEW PAPER
Trends in developing nanoparticle-enhanced electrochemical sensors for neurotransmitter detection: a review
1
Doctoral Program, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia
2
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Pancasakti University, Makassar, Indonesia
3
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia
4
Research and Development Center for Biopolymers and Bioproducts, Institute for Research and Community Service, Hasanuddin University, Tamalanrea, Makassar, Indonesia
5
Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia
6
Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Yamasi, Makassar, Indonesia
Submission date: 2024-11-05
Final revision date: 2025-12-18
Acceptance date: 2026-05-06
Publication date: 2026-06-27
BioTechnologia 2026;107(2):181-204
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Nano-biosensors represent innovative analytical devices that couple nanotechnology with biomolecular recognition elements to detect specific targets with high sensitivity and selectivity. By incorporating nanomaterials such as gold, carbon, or metal oxides, these devices exhibit enhanced conductivity, larger surface areas, and improved electron transfer, thereby enabling rapid and accurate detection even at ultralow concentrations. Electrochemical nano-biosensors are particularly advantageous for medical diagnostics, health monitoring, and environmental applications because they convert bioreceptor–analyte interactions into measurable real-time electrical signals. Due to their ability to monitor key biomarkers, including neurotransmitters, these sensors hold immense promise for early disease diagnosis, therapeutic monitoring, and neurological research. This review highlights current trends in the development of nanomaterial-enhanced electrochemical sensors for neurotransmitter detection, focuses on their performance and clinical translation potential, and outlines future directions to address challenges in selectivity, stability, and large-scale manufacturing.
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