A quercetin-modified biosensor for amperometric determination of uric acid in the presence of ascorbic acid

The present work reports a quercetin-modified wax-impregnated graphite electrode (Qu/WGE) prepared through an electrochemical oxidation procedure in quercetin-containing phosphate buffer solution (PBS), for the purpose of detecting uric acid (UA) in the presence of ascorbic acid (AA). During modification quercetin was oxidized to the corresponding quinonic structure, and in the blank buffer solution the electrodeposited film exhibits a voltammetric response anticipated for the surface-immobilized quercetin. Retarding effect of the film towards the reaction of anionic species was found; therefore the pH of sample solutions was selected to ensure the analyte in molecular form. At suitable pHs the Qu/WGE shows excellent electrocatalytic effect towards the oxidation of both AA and UA, and separates the voltammetric signal of UA from AA by about 280 mV, allowing simultaneous detection of these two species. A linear relation between the peak current and concentration was obtained for UA in the range of 1-50 μM in the presence of 0.5 mM AA, with a detection limit 1.0 μM (S/N = 3). This sensor was stable, reproducible and outstanding for long-term use.