Fluorimetric determination of ascorbic acid with o-phenylenediamine

A simple and sensitive fluorimetric method for the determination of ascorbic acid (AA) is described. The method is based on the condensation reaction between AA and o-phenylenediamine,(OPDA) in the absence of the oxidant. The fluorescence intensity is measured at excitation and emission wavelengths of 360 and 430 nm, respectively. Under optimum condition, a linear relationship is obtained between the fluorescence intensity and the concentration of AA in the range of 0.05-40 mug ml(-1). The detection limit is 0.006 mug ml(-1), which is obviously lower than that of other fluorimetric methods reported. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.