Biosensor based on ds-DNA decorated chitosan modified multiwall carbon nanotubes for voltammetric biodetection of herbicide amitrole

The interaction of amitrole and salmon sperm ds-DNA was studied using UV–vis and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) at both bare and DNA-modified electrodes. Amitrole showed an oxidation peak at 0.445 V at a bare pencil graphite electrode (PGE). When ds-DNA was added into the amitrole solution, the peak current of amitrole decreased and the peak potential underwent a shift. UV–vis spectra showed that the absorption intensity of the ds-DNA at 260 nm decreased with increasing amitrole concentration, proving the interaction between amitrole and the ds-DNA. The results also showed that amitrole could interact with the ds-DNA molecules via the intercalative binding mode. Finally, a pretreated pencil graphite electrode (PGE) modified with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and chitosan (CHIT) decorated with the ds-DNA were tested in order to determine amitrole content in solution. Electrochemical oxidation of amitrole bonded on DNA/MWCNTs–CHIT/PGE was used to obtain an analytical signal. A linear dependence was observed to exist between the peak current and 0.025–2.4 ng mL−1 amitrole with a detection limit of 0.017 ng mL−1. The sensor showed a good selectivity and precision for the determination of amitrole. Finally, applicability of the biosensor was evaluated by measuring the analyte in soil and water samples with good selectivity.