Disodium Edetate

EDTA protects against neurotoxicity using various pathways. One is through chelation of toxic metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury itself, allowing them to be excreted through the urine. Second, EDTA has antioxidant capabilities that decrease reactive oxygen species (ROS) production while simultaneously increasing total antioxidant capacity. This decreased ROS production results in reduced plasma peroxides as well as DNA damage. EDTA can also preserve endothelial function through maintaining nitric oxide availability, decreasing adhesion molecule expression, and inhibiting TNFα-mediated vascular activation. Finally, EDTA may have antimicrobial activity against several pathogens such as Staph aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in biofilms.

Fig. 1 The proposed mechanisms underlying the efficacy of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) chelation therapy against neurotoxicity. (Fulgenzi A, Ferrero M E. 2019)

Copper ion (Cu²⁺) is essential for biological processes; however, it becomes highly toxic if its concentration exceeds its permissible limit. Therefore, Cu²⁺ determination from food samples and water resources plays a crucial role in environmental and food safety management. Researchers developed a novel electrochemical sensor for Cu²⁺ detection using EDTA-capped ZnO nanoparticles and silver nanoparticles composite (ZnO@EDTA-Ag). Structure and morphology analysis was performed using SEM, EDX, TEM, FTIR and XRD techniques, which show improved morphology and structure leading to efficient electron transfer for Cu²⁺ detection. Electrochemical analysis demonstrated that ZnO@EDTA-Ag is an effective catalytic material for cost-effective detection of Cu²⁺. The proposed sensor displayed enhanced electrocatalytic behaviour towards Cu²⁺ detection with a wide linear range of detection from 0.007 μM to 10 μM and a low detection limit of 7 nM with high sensitivity. Excellent stability, reproducibility, and recoveries from real samples such as avocado juice, apple juice, lemon juice and pond water analysis also confirmed the applicability of the sensor for Cu²⁺ detection.

Fig. 2 ZnO nanoparticles coated with EDTA and Ag nanoparticles (ZnO@EDTA-Ag NPs) for enhanced electrochemical detection of Cu²⁺ ions in food and environmental samples. (Mabrouk C, et al. 2025)