Voltammetric Investigation of Ferulic Acid at Disposable Pencil Graphite Electrode

Ferulic acid (FA), a monohydroxycinnamic acid, is an antioxidant with multiple beneficial effects on human health, presenting also importance in the food and cosmetics industry. Its electrochemical behavior was investigated at the disposable and cost-effective pencil graphite electrode (PGE). Cyclic voltammetry emphasized its pH-dependent, diffusion-controlled oxidation. Using the optimized conditions (HB type PGE, Britton Robinson buffer pH 4.56) differential pulse and square-wave voltammetric techniques were applied for its quantitative determination in the range 4.00 x 10-7-1.00 x 10-3 mol/L FA. The developed methods were employed for the rapid and simple assessment of the FA content from a commercially available powder designed for cosmetic use.

Automated summary

Ferulic acid, an antioxidant with multiple beneficial effects on human health, is of great importance in the food and cosmetics industry. In this study, its electrochemical behavior was investigated using a disposable and cost-effective electrode, and a method for its quantitative determination was developed.