Determination of nifuroxazide with polarography and adsorptive stripping voltammetry at mercury and carbon paste electrodes

A simple method for the determination of the urinary tract antibiotic nifuroxazide has been developed. The electrochemical reduction of the nitro group at mercury and carbon paste electrodes can be used for the determination with and without adsorptive preconcentration. The influence of parameters like pH of the background electrolyte, preconcentration potential and preconcentration time on the sensitivity of the method has been studied. Modification of the carbon paste by addition of nonpolar polystyrene/divinylbenzene particles has been investigated to enhance the adsorption properties of the surface. Concentrations as low as 10 ng/mL could be determined in urine without interferences.