Challenges in the enantioanalysis of fucose using stochastic and potentiometric microsensors

Fucose gained significant interest in the medical field since a large number of studies have been reported on the role of fucose – as tumor marker. Electrochemical enantioselective sensors based on monocrystalline diamond paste and carbon paste working on stochastic and potentiometric modes were proposed for the enantioanalysis of fucose in biological fluids. Porphyrins and polymeric surfactants were used as modifiers for the diamond and carbon pastes in the design of sensors. Stochastic sensors were able to determine simultaneously l- and d-fucose in whole blood samples (qualitative and quantitative), and potentiometric sensors were used for quantitative determination of fucose in the biological fluids. The main advantages of the utilization of the proposed sensors were: real time enantioanalysis of fucose, no sample preparation for the biological fluid, and high reliability of the determinations.