Intelligent electrochemical biosensor for identification of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors in foods, supplements, and pharmaceuticals

Overview

5-alpha reductase (5AR) is an enzyme targeted by well-known drugs such as finasteride and dutasteride, which are widely used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia and androgenic alopecia. Identifying compounds that inhibit 5AR is important for pharmaceutical quality control, dietary supplement screening, and food safety testing. This project introduces an intelligent electrochemical biosensor designed to detect and characterize 5AR inhibitors across diverse sample types.

The proposed biosensor leverages a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with multiwalled carbon nanotubes combined with an ionic liquid (MWCNTs-IL). This modification enhances the electrode's sensitivity, conductivity, and surface area, enabling reliable detection of inhibitor-enzyme interactions. By establishing calibration models using finasteride and dutasteride as reference inhibitors, the platform can be extended to screen unknown compounds in real-world samples.

Technical specifications

Core platform components:

• Electrode design: Glassy carbon electrode modified with multiwalled carbon nanotubes and ionic liquid (MWCNTs-IL/GCE) for enhanced electron transfer and improved sensitivity
• Measurement techniques: Second-order hydrodynamic differential pulse voltammetry (HDPV), hydrodynamic linear sweep voltammetry (HLSV), and hydrodynamic differential normal pulse voltammetry (HDNPV) to capture rich electrochemical response data
• Data analysis: Multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares (MCR-ALS) and EQUISPEC methods for extracting concentration profiles, voltammetric profiles, and inhibition constants (Ki)
• Model inhibitors: Finasteride and dutasteride used to develop two reference inhibition models for 5AR
• Validation parameters: Repeatability, reproducibility, and long-term stability of biosensor response assessed across multiple sample matrices including foods, dietary supplements, and pharmaceutical formulations

Technology readiness level

The project is at an early-to-mid research and development stage. The research plan outlines a structured validation pathway: first establishing voltammetric response models using known inhibitors, then applying multivariate analysis to calculate inhibition constants, followed by testing against real food, supplement, and pharmaceutical samples. Final validation steps include rigorous assessment of repeatability, reproducibility, and stability. The biosensor is currently in the method development and proof-of-concept phase, with future work needed to demonstrate performance across broader compound classes and to transition toward routine analytical use.