Selective voltammetric detection of chlorophylls using a semi-circular potential wave

A simple electrochemical method employing a novel semi-circular potential sweep voltammetry on a glassy carbon (GC) electrode was developed to distinguish and quantify two main chlorophyll components (chlorophyll a and b) present in their mixtures. The semi-circular potential sweep generates large, transient scan rates, enabling the selective detection of species with closely similar oxidative potentials. The proposed method shows good applicability in mixtures of chlorophyll a (Chl a) and chlorophyll b (Chl b) with concentrations ranging from 46.2 to 110.8 mu M and 46.2 to 92.4 mu M respectively, which were prepared to mimic varying compositions of chlorophyll a and b in nature for the application in food quality control. The method was successfully applied to real sample of spinach.