Development of an electroanalytical methodology for the determination of dexamethasone using pencil graphite electrodes
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The increasing occurrence of pharmaceutical compounds in aquatic environments has raised concerns about potential impacts on ecosystem integrity and public health. Among these compounds, dexamethasone (DEX), a synthetic glucocorticoid widely used for its anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, and immunosuppressive properties, has attracted attention because of its potential endocrine-disrupting effects and its presence in water bodies. In this work, an electroanalytical method was developed for determining DEX in natural waters using a pencil graphite electrode (PGE). Cyclic voltammetry studies revealed a reduction peak at − 0.93 V vs. Ag/AgCl (3.0 mol L⁻¹ KCl), characteristic of an adsorption-controlled irreversible process, and an oxidation peak at + 0.83 V vs. Ag/AgCl (3.0 mol L⁻¹ KCl), corresponding to a process controlled by diffusion with an adsorption contribution and dependent on the preceding reduction step, possibly referring to the substance generated after the reduction process. Using square-wave voltammetry, linear analytical curves were obtained over the concentration range of 2.00–7.40 µmol L⁻¹. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 0.20 and 0.67 µmol L⁻¹ in ultrapure water (78.5 and 263.0 µg L − 1 ), 0.20 and 0.68 µmol L⁻¹ in tap water (78.5 and 266 µg L − 1 ), and 0.52 and 1.70 µmol L⁻¹ in Billings dam water (204 and 667 µg L − 1 ), respectively. Recovery experiments in dam water yielded 83.7%. These results demonstrate that the proposed method is a simple, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly alternative as a preliminary screening tool for DEX quantification in fortified aqueous matrices, including natural water samples from the Billings Dam.
Language: English
Subfield: Electrochemistry
Field: Chemistry
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,790
OpenAlex ID: W7225770844