Flow injection fluorometric determination of ascorbic acid using perylenebisimide-linked nitroxide

A simple and sensitive flow injection fluorometric method for the determination of ascorbic acid is described. Perylenebisimide-linked nitroxide (PBILN) is used as a fluorescent reagent, which permits the selective determination of ascorbic acid. The fluorescence of the perylenebisimide moiety in PBILN is quenched by the nitroxide moiety, which is linked to the perylenebisimide. When a stream of a solution of ascorbic acid is merged with a stream of PBILN, the ascorbic acid reacts with the nitroxide moiety of PBILN to form hydroxylamine, and the fluorescence properties of the perylenebisimide moiety are recovered. As a result, a peak-shaped fluorescence signal is produced, which can be observed by a fluorescence detector located downstream. Under optimized conditions, a good linear relationship between the concentration of ascorbic acid and peak height in the concentration range from 0.5 to 10 μmol L⁻¹ was found and the detection limit (S/N = 3) was 0.28 μmol L⁻¹. The relative standard deviation for the determination of 4.0 μmol L⁻¹ ascorbic acid samples was 1.0% (n = 5). The proposed method was applied to the determination of ascorbic acid in several soft drink beverages and the analytical results were in good agreement with those obtained using a conventional method.     

Flow injection determination methods of ascorbic acid

A review with 100 references is presented to show the advantages involved in the use of flow injection analysis (FIA) for the determination of ascorbic acid. The FI methods proposed for the determination of ascorbic acid are described and compared according to the used detection technique. Analytical figures of merit and interferences are also discussed.     

Flow injection kinetic spectrophotometric determination of ascorbic acid based on an inhibiting effect

A rapid and sensitive flow-injection kinetic spectrophotometric method is proposed for the determination of ascorbic acid. The procedure is based on the inhibiting effect of ascorbic acid on the enhancing effect of oxalate on the potassium dichromate-potassium iodide/rhodamine 6G system. The detection limit and linear ranges are 0.08 and 0.10-4.00 microg/ml, respectively. The relative standard deviation of 11 replicate measurements is less than 2.0%. This method has been successfully used to determine ascorbic acid in pharmaceuticals, tomatoes and oranges.     

Stepwise injection photometric determination of ascorbic acid in drugs

A procedure is developed for the photometric determination of ascorbic acid in drug preparations. It is based on the rapid and highly selective reaction of ascorbic acid with a novel reagent, the guanidinium salt of 1-bismuto-11-molybdophosphoric heteropolyacid. The detection limit for ascorbic acid in stepwise injection analysis makes 15 mg/L, and the duration of single analysis, 5 min.     

Kinetic spectrophotometric determination of ascorbic acid by reduction of toluidine blue

A simple kinetic method is described for the determination of ascorbic acid. The procedure is based on the reduction of toluidine blue with ascorbic acid. The rate of reaction is followed by measuring the decrease in absorbance of toluidine blue (lambda(max) = 600 nm) as a result of its decolorization upon reduction by ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid in the range of 3-35 microg/ml was determined using slope and fixed time methods of analysis, while the variable time method allowed the determination of 5-50 microg/ml of ascorbic acid. The percent relative standard deviation of the method varied from 0.78 to 1.32% depending on the kinetic method used. The high sensitivity of the method also allows determination of low levels of ascorbic acid in some fruits and vegetables such as dew melon, water melon, parsley and coriander.     

Simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid by HPLC with postcolumn derivatisation and fluorometric detection

Summary A reproducible method is described for the separation and simultaneous and specific quantitation of ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid by ion-pairing reversed-phase HPLC with fluorometric detection. Copper sulphate and copper acetate were compared as oxidizing reagents for ascorbic acid and 1,2-diaminobenzene dihydrochloride and 1,2-diamino-3,4-dimethylbenzene dihydrochloride as derivatising reagents. The HPLC-method was applied to human plasma. The detection limit reaches 16 ng for ascorbic acid and 3 ng for dehydroascorbic acid. Sample preparation is carried out by solid phase extraction with a recovery of 98%; it is compared with conventional precipitation of plasma proteins by metaphosphoric acid.     

Kinetic determination of ascorbic acid by the BZ oscillating chemical system

A new analytical method for the determination of ascorbic acid by the perturbation caused by different amounts of ascorbic acid on the BZ oscillating chemical system involving the Ce(IV)-catalyzed reaction between potassium bromate and malonic acid in a acidic medium is proposed. The method relies on the linear relationship between the change in the oscillation amplitude of the chemical system and the concentration of ascorbic acid, which is in this work exposed for the first time. The calibration curve is linearly proportional to the concentration of ascorbic acid over the range 3.5x10(-6)-4.7x10(-4) M, with the regression coefficient is 0.9975. Two different methodologies were used to address the determination. Some aspects of the potential mechanism of action of ascorbic acid on the BZ oscillating chemical system are discussed in detail.     

Kinetic spectrofluorimetric determination of trace ascorbic acid based on its inhibition on the oxidation of pyronine Y by nitrite

A highly sensitive spectrofluorimetric method is proposed for the determination of trace amount of ascorbic acid using a new indication. The method is based on the inhibition of ascorbic acid on the oxidation of pyronine Y (PRY) by nitrite. The detection limit for ascorbic acid is 0.012 microg ml(-1), the linear range of the determination is 0.02-0.36 microg ml(-1). Analytical parameters, such as reagent concentration, pH, reaction temperature and time, were optimized. The relative standard deviations of eleven replication determinations of 0.12 and 0.24 microg ml(-1) ascorbic acid were 1.4 and 0.72%, respectively. This method has been used to determine ascorbic acid in pharmaceuticals, vegetables, fruits and soft drink with satisfactory results.     

Simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid,dopamine and uric acid based on tryptophan functionalized graphene

A new type of tryptophan-functionalized graphene nanocomposite (Trp-GR) was synthesized by utilizing a facile ultrasonic method via π–π conjugate action between graphene (GR) and tryptophan (Trp) molecule. The material as prepared had well dispersivity in water and better conductivity than pure GR. The surface morphology of Trp-GR was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman spectroscopy. The electrochemical behaviors of ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine (DA), and uric acid (UA) were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) on the surface of Trp-GR. The separation of the oxidation peak potentials for AA–DA, DA–UA and UA–AA was about 182 mV, 125 mV and 307 mV, which allowed simultaneously determining AA, DA, and UA. Differential pulse voltammetery (DPV) was used for the determination of AA, DA, and UA in their mixture. Under optimum conditions, the linear response ranges for the determination of AA, DA, and UA were 0.2–12.9 mM, 0.5–110 μM, and 10–1000 μM, with the detection limits (S/N = 3) of 10.09 μM, 0.29 μM and 1.24 μM, respectively. Furthermore, the modified electrode was investigated for real sample analysis.     

A sequential injection fluorometric procedure for rapid determination of total protein in human serum

A sensitive procedure for the quantification of total protein bovine serum albumen (BSA) in human serum was presented with sequential injection sampling and fluorometric detection. A few microliters of sample and fluorescamine solutions were aspirated into the holding coil to facilitate the reaction of protein with fluorescamine by giving rise to a blue-green-fluorescent derivative. The derivative was afterwards excited by a 400 nm radiation from a UV radiator, and the emitted fluorescence was monitored at the wavelength of 470 nm. By loading 5.0 μl of sample and 4.0 μl of fluorescamine solution 0.075% (m/v), a linear calibration graph was obtained within 0.3-12.5 μg ml⁻¹, and a detection limit (3σ) of 0.1 μg ml⁻¹ was achieved, along with a sampling frequency of 40 h⁻¹ and a R.S.D. value of 2.1% at the 5.0 μg ml⁻¹ levels. Protein contents in human serums were analyzed by using the present procedure, and reasonable agreements were obtained with those obtained by a documented spectrophotometric (Biuret) method.     

Fluorimetric determination of total ascorbic acid by a stopped-flow mixing technique

A simple, rapid and automatic fluorimetric method for the determination of total ascorbic acid is described. The method makes use of the stopped-flow mixing technique in order to achieve the rapid oxidation of ascorbic acid by dissolved oxygen to dehydroascorbic acid, which then reacts with o-phenylenediamine to form a fluorescent quinoxaline. The initial rate and fluorescence signal of this system are directly proportional to the ascorbic acid concentration. The calibration graph was linear over the range 0.1-30 microg ml(-1) (kinetic method) and 0.25-34 microg ml(-1) (equilibrium method). The precision (% RSD) was close to 0.5%. The method has been used for the determination of ascorbic acid in pharmaceutical formulations, fruit juices, soft drinks and blood serum.     

Sequential injection redox or acid-base titration for determination of ascorbic acid or acetic acid

Two sequential injection titration systems with spectrophotometric detection have been developed. The first system for determination of ascorbic acid was based on redox reaction between ascorbic acid and permanganate in an acidic medium and lead to a decrease in color intensity of permanganate, monitored at 525 nm. A linear dependence of peak area obtained with ascorbic acid concentration up to 1200 mg l⁻¹ was achieved. The relative standard deviation for 11 replicate determinations of 400 mg l⁻¹ ascorbic acid was 2.9%. The second system, for acetic acid determination, was based on acid–base titration of acetic acid with sodium hydroxide using phenolphthalein as an indicator. The decrease in color intensity of the indicator was proportional to the acid content. A linear calibration graph in the range of 2–8% w v⁻¹ of acetic acid with a relative standard deviation of 4.8% (5.0% w v⁻¹ acetic acid, n=11) was obtained. Sample throughputs of 60 h⁻¹ were achieved for both systems. The systems were successfully applied for the assays of ascorbic acid in vitamin C tablets and acetic acid content in vinegars, respectively.     

Individual and simultaneous determination of uric acid and ascorbic acid by flow injection analysis

Flow injection methods for the individual and simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid and uric acid are proposed. A spectrophotometer and a miniamperometric detector are connected in sequence. The calibration graphs for uric acid obtained by measuring its absorbance at 293 nm and its current at +0.6 V are linear up to at least 80 and 70 mug/ml, respectively, with an rsd (n = 10) of 1 % for both methods at mid-range concentrations. The calibration graph for ascorbic acid with amperometric detection is linear up to 80 mg/l. with an rsd (n = 10) of 0.8% at 30 mg/l. The simultaneous determination of uric acid and ascorbic acid is based on measurement of the absorbance of uric acid at 393 nm and amperometric determination of both analytes at +0.6 V. The average relative errors of the analysis of binary mixtures of uric acid and ascorbic acid are 2.2 and 4.2%, respectively.     

Flow injection spectrophotometric determination of ascorbic acid in soft drinks and beer

Two spectrophotometric methods, a photochemical and a non-photochemical, for the determination of ascorbic acid in soft drinks and beer using a flow-injection system are proposed. The non-photochemical method is based on the redox reaction that takes place between ascorbic acid and Fe(III), yielding dehydroascorbic acid and Fe(II). Fe(II) reacts with 1,10-phenantroline, originating the reddish orange Fe(phen)3(2+) complex (ferroin). This complex is spectrophotometrically monitored at 512 nm, and the signal is directly related to the concentration of ascorbic acid in the sample. The photochemical method has the same basis, nevertheless, uses the irradiation with visible light to enhance the redox reaction and so achieve higher sensitivities in the analysis. The non-photochemical method shows a linear range between 5 and 80 microg mL(-1), with a relative standard deviation of 1.6% (n = 11), a detection limit of 2.7 microg mL(-1) and a sample throughput of 60 samples h(-1). The photochemical method shows a linear range between 1 and 80 microg mL(-1), with a relative standard deviation of 1.0% (n = 11 ), a detection limit of 0.5 microg mL(-1) and a sample throughput of 40 samples h(-1).     

Flow injection spectrophotometric determination of ascorbic acid in soft drinks and beer

Two spectrophotometric methods, a photochemical and a non-photochemical, for the determination of ascorbic acid in soft drinks and beer using a flow-injection system are proposed. The non-photochemical method is based on the redox reaction that takes place between ascorbic acid and Fe(III), yielding dehydroascorbic acid and Fe(II). Fe(II) reacts with 1,10-phenantroline, originating the reddish orange Fe(phen)₃ ²⁺ complex (ferroin). This complex is spectrophotometrically monitored at 512 nm, and the signal is directly related to the concentration of ascorbic acid in the sample. The photochemical method has the same basis, nevertheless, uses the irradiation with visible light to enhance the redox reaction and so achieve higher sensitivities in the analysis. The non-photochemical method shows a linear range between 5 and 80 μg mL^?1, with a relative standard deviation of 1.6% (n = 11), a detection limit of 2.7 μg mL^?1 and a sample throughput of ¶60 samples h^?1. The photochemical method shows a linear range between 1 and 80 μg mL^?1, with a relative standard deviation of 1.0% (n = 11), a detection limit of 0.5 μg mL^?1 and a sample throughput of 40 samples h^?1.     

Hydroxyapatite nanoparticle based fluorometric turn-on determination of dipicolinic acid,a biomarker of bacterial spores

Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HAP-NPs) were rendered fluorescence by doping with Eu(III) ion. The resulting fluorescent NPs are shown to be viable probes for sensitive and selective determination of dipicolinic acid (DPA), a major constituent of bacterial spores as used in bioterrorism. It is found that the addition of DPA to solutions of such HAP-NPs result in an enhancement of fluorescence due to the coordination of DPA with the Eu(III) dopant. The assay allows DPA to be detected in the 0.1 to 40 μM concentration range and with a 77 nM detection limit. The assay was applied to the detection of spores of Bacillus subtilis. The attractive properties of the probe make it a promising candidate for used in rapid detection of pathogenic bacterial spores.

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Graphical abstract Fluorescent hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HAP-NPs) are shown to be a viable probe for detection of dipicolinic acid, a major constituent of bacterial spores. The red asterisks represent the fluorescence intensity of the HAP-NPs.

     

Rapid determination of ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbic acid, and total vitamin C by electrochemiluminescence with a thin-layer electrochemical cell

This paper reports on a rapid and sensitive method for the simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid (H₂A), dehydroascorbic acid (DHA), and total vitamin C by electrochemiluminescence (ECL) using a thin-layer electrochemical cell. Significant ECL signals can be generated by the anodic oxidation of Ru(bpy)₃ ²⁺ in the presence of H₂A or DHA in pH 8.8 phosphate buffer solution. Because of the extremely small dead volume of the thin-layer cell (approximately 1.5 μL), almost all amount of H₂A is assumed to be completely oxidized to DHA with a short pre-electrolysis step. As a result, it is possible to determine the reductive vitamin C (H₂A) by square wave voltammetry before the pre-electrolysis step, while total vitamin C (sum of H₂A and DHA) is able to be determined at a subsequent ECL step. The method was employed for the determination of vitamin C in commercial beverages with the analytical results in good agreement with the certified values.

Spectrophotometric determination of ascorbic acid in pharmaceuticals by background correction and flow injection

Background correction has been shown to be an effective and indispensable modification in the spectrophotometric determination of ascorbic acid. The decomposition of ascorbic acid in pharmaceutical samples was carried out by incubation with sodium hydroxide to give products that were insensitive to ultraviolet light. The rapid oxidation in air of ascorbic acid, especially in dilute solutions, was avoided by the use of the flow injection principle for spectrophotometric determination and by employing a carrier stream of an anti-oxidizing nature consisting of 6 micrograms ml(-1) of 2-mercaptoethanol in 0.25% sulphuric acid. The optimized method with a single channel manifold made use of a carrier stream flow rate of 1.1 ml min(-1), an injection volume of 50 microl, a delay coil of 50 cm (0.5 mm i.d.) and detection at 245 nm. The throughput was at least 180 injections h(-1). The proposed flow injection method yielded results for the analysis of 0-20 micrograms ml(-1) of ascorbic acid that were 99-102% (relative standard deviation 0.6% or better) in agreement with those produced by comparable methods involving titration with iodine, chloranil or 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol [4-(2,6-dichloro-4-hydroxyphenylimino)cyclohexa-2,5-dieno ne], and high-performance liquid chromatography. When the agreement was not good (as low as 14% with respect to the method being compared), this was traced to the presence of substances which are known to interfere in one or other of the methods of comparison.