A glassy carbon electrode modified with poly(eriochrome black T) for sensitive determination of adenine and guanine

A thin film of poly(eriochrome black T) was deposited on the surface of glassy carbon electrode by cyclic voltammetry, and this system is shown to enable the sensitive determination of adenine (A) and guanine (G). Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were carried out to characterize the film which exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of A and G in 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution (pH 4.0). Square wave voltammetry reveals an oxidation peak at 1084 mV whose current is linearly related to the concentration of A in the range from 0.05 to 1.00 mu M. The oxidation peak for G occurs at 788 mV, and its current is linearly related to the concentration of G in the range from 0.025 to 1.00 mu M. The detection limits are 0.017 mu M for A and 0.008 mu M for G (at S/N = 3), respectively. The modified electrode displays good reproducibility and selectivity for the determination of A and G. The sensor was applied to quantify A and G in fish sperm DNA with satisfactory results.