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ABSTRACT
Platforms using amperometric microsensors based on nanostructured materials, carbon nanotubes, and carbon nanoparticles modified with maltodextrin were designed for the determination of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and estradiol in children’s saliva. Response characteristics of the microsensors were determined using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). While the carbon nanotube based microsensor was able to only determine testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, the microsensor based on carbon nanoparticles modified with maltodextrin was able to determine testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and estradiol. The lowest detection limit for the assay of testosterone (0.427 p mol L−1) was achieved using the microsensor based on carbon nanoparticles modified with maltodextrin, while the lowest detection limit for dihydrotestosterone (0.442 p mol L−1) was achieved using the carbon nanotube based microsensor. Estradiol was determined with high sensitivity and a low limit of determination (0.555 p mol L−1) using the microsensor based on carbon nanoparticles and maltodextrin. The two microsensors were reliable for the determination of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and estradiol in children’s saliva. The new platforms overcome the problems of the standard enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method for these hormones; the limits of determination of the hormones by ELISA are too high compared with the levels in children’s saliva.