Voltammetric determination of L-dopa using an electrode modified with trinuclear ruthenium ammine complex (Ru-red) supported on Y-type zeolite

The L-dopa is the immediate precursor of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Unlike dopamine, L-dopa easily enters the central nervous system and is used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. A sensitive and selective method is presented for the voltammetric determination of L-dopa in pharmaceutical formulations using a carbon paste electrode modified with trinuclear ruthenium ammine complex (NH₃)₅Ru^IIIORu^IV(NH₃)₄ORu^III(NH₃)₅]⁶⁺ (Ru-red) incorporated in NaY zeolite. The parameters which influence on the electrode response (paste composition, potential scan rate, pH and interference) were also investigated. The optimum conditions were found to an electrode composition (m/m) of 25% zeolite containing 6.7% Ru, 50% graphite and 25% mineral oil in acetate buffer at pH 4.8. Voltammetric peak currents showed a linear response for L-dopa concentration in the range between 1.2×10⁻⁴ and 1.0×10⁻² mol l⁻¹ (r=0.9988) with a detection limit of 8.5×10⁻⁵ mol l⁻¹. The variation coefficient for a 1.0×10⁻³ mol l⁻¹ L-dopa (n=10) was 5.5%. The results obtained for L-dopa in pharmaceutical formulations (tablet) was in agreement with compared official method. In conclusion, this study has illustrated that the proposed electrode modified with Ru-red incorporated zeolite is suitable valuable for selective measurements of L-dopa.