Direct analysis of ascorbic acid in food beverage samples by flow injection analysis using reduced graphene oxide sensor

In this paper, a simple, sensitive and precise electroanalytical method was developed using flow injection analysis (FIA) with amperometric detection and reduced graphene oxide sensor for ascorbic acid determination in samples of multivitamin beverages, milk, fermented milk, and milk chocolate. The advantages of this sensor include a potential displacement of 450 mV and a 2-fold peak current increase for electrochemical oxidation of ascorbic acid, which resulted in a highly sensitive method. No interference of sample matrix was observed, avoiding solvent extraction procedures (samples were only diluted). The FIA allowed a high analytical frequency, approximately 96 injections per hour, together with adequate detection limit of 4.7 mu mol L-1. Good precision (RSD < 7%) and accuracy (recoveries between 91 and 108%) evidenced the robustness of the method. The method was compared with ultra-fast liquid chromatography (UFLC) obtaining statistically similar results (95% confidence level). The ascorbic acid content in samples varied from 0.065 to 2.53 mmol L-1.