Enhanced electrochemical detection of barbiturates by on-line selectable-power photochemical reaction

Abstract

The applicability of an on-line laboratory-made selectable-power photochemical postcolumn reactor (which can operate between 8 and 40 W) to enhance the electrochemical detectability of several barbiturates (amobarbital, barbital, buthetal, secobarbital, pentobarbital, and thiopental) in biological fluids is presented. It has been shown that the electrochemical response of all the studied compounds increases on increasing the intensity of the irradiation. An average 1.6 peak area increase and threefold signal-to-noise ratios can be obtained by this procedure. Examples of real serum and blood samples containing some of the considered barbiturates are presented showing the advantages of the proposed instrumental device from the point of view of enhanced detectability and easy automation. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Lab Robotics and Automation 9: 185–189, 1997.