Desenvolvimento de método eletroanalítico para identificação e quantificação de sibutramina utilizando folhas de grafite pirolítico como eletrodo

Abstract

In the present work, we present the proposal of an electroanalytical method for the identification and quantification of sibutramine for forensic purposes based on the previously carried out literature review. Sibutramine is a medicine classified as an anorectic weight loss agent that was recently restricted by ANVISA due to its side effects aggravating cardiovascular problems. The presence of sibutramine in counterfeit or adulterated products represents a high risk to consumers, making it imperative to develop sensitive and reliable analytical methods for its identification and quantification. In this sense, electroanalytical methods have stood out due to characteristics such as simplicity, high sensitivity, low cost, easy miniaturization and portability that allows analysis in the field. The present study aims to contribute significantly to the analysis and quality control of pharmaceutical products and provide rapid and in situ analysis techniques for professionals from public security agencies to detect adulterated or counterfeit products, thus protecting public health and ensuring consumer safety, by developing a robust and reliable method for the identification and quantification of sibutramine in various samples. In context, some carbon materials are widely used in the production of disposable electrodes. The diversity of carbon materials used as electrodes is due to their capacity for structural polymorphism, chemical stability, and strong carbon-carbon bonds present internally and also due to the possibilities of modifying their surface (by physical or chemical means) using a range of compounds . Pyrolytic graphite sheet (PGS) is an artificially produced material, which is composed of parallel-stacked oriented layers of graphene, which has been presented as a good material for energy storage in electrochemistry. Based on previously carried out studies, targeting electroanalytical methods involving carbon-based electrodes and surface modifications, a method was proposed for the analysis of sibutramine. Typically, plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) is used to produce materials or to treat surfaces, and in this case, it was used to treat the surface of graphite sheets that will be used as electrochemical sensors. Although the results already obtained are preliminary and due to the complexities of the sibutramine oxidation mechanisms, it is possible to state that the graphite sheet proved to be a good alternative as a disposable electrode for the analysis of sibutramine. It is of interest to continue with the studies, and for further analyzes we will continue with BR10 support electrolyte in PGS / O2, however, as can be seen from the experiments and studies carried out, the electrochemical behavior of sibutramine can vary depending on the surface, not ruling out yet the other leaves. And finally, we will continue identifying the analytical parameters to obtain validation of the method by carrying out tests with commercial samples or obtained through partnerships with police institutions.