An on-line galvanic cell-generated electrochemiluminescence and flow injection determination of calcium in milk and vegetables.

An on-line Ag/Al galvanic cell was studied and employed to generate electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of calcein blue. The potential of the galvanic cell could be adjusted by varying the components of flow reagent or by using different metals to substitute for Ag or Al. The reported cell exhibited perfect capability of supplying a stable potential for ECL generation. Because the weak ECL of calcein blue could be greatly sensitized in the presence of calcium in alkaline solution, calcium contents in milk and vegetable samples were assayed; the results were validated with ICP-AES method. The method gave linear results in 1.0 x 10(-4) mol L(-1) to 8.0 x 10(-6) mol L(-1) calcium concentration range and the 3(sigma)limit of detection was to be 2.0 x 10(-6) mol L(-1). Experiment results imply that this model of ECL detection could be applied for instrument miniaturization with easy fabrication.