Application of differential pulse polarography for trace determination of polycytidylic acid in absence and presence of some metal ions

Summary A differential pulse polarographic method has been applied to the determination of trace concentrations of polycytidylic acid (Poly-C) in absence and presence of metal ions. The applicability of differential pulse polarography for the trace determination of the investigated biological compound was examined with regard to the dependence of differential pulse current on various parameters such as pH, pulse amplitude, scan rate and drop time. The selectivity of this technique for the determination of binary and a ternary mixtures of poly-C and some metal ions has been also reported. Limits of detection and quantitation have been calculated for the differential pulse polarographic determination of the poly-C and various metal ions. The validity of this method is supported by the constancy of the i_p/C values and a statistical analysis is included on calibration curve parameters and observed concentration.