CHEMICALLY AMPLIFIED VOLTAMMETRIC ENZYME ELECTRODES FOR OXIDIZABLE PHARMACEUTICALS

An electrocatalytic reaction occurring between several reduced flavin enzymes (glucose, lactate, and sarcosine oxidases) and the oxidized form of the analgesic acetaminophen is reported for the first time. Similar processes are characterized for reactions of glucose oxidase with norepinephrine and chlorpromazine. The utility of these reactions is demonstrated both in solution and for an enzyme immobilized on electrode surfaces. Sensitivities and limits of detection for determinations of acetaminophen and norepinephrine at electrodes modified with polymer-bound glucose oxidase are each improved by an order of magnitude over determinations performed at bare electrodes. Detection limits for acetaminophen and norepinephrine at modified electrodes of 100 and 300 nM, respectively, are demonstrated.