Direct chronopotentiometric analysis of riboflavin using a glassy carbon vessel as the working electrode

Abstract

A new method for the determination of riboflavin (vitamin B2) was developed based on chronopotentiometry with a glassy carbon process vessel macroelectrode. The method optimisation included investigation of the most important experimental parameters: type and concentration of the supporting electrolyte, initial potential, reduction current, and the working electrode surface area. The reduction signal of riboflavin appeared at about -0.12 V vs. Ag/AgCl (3.5 mol/dm3 KCl) electrode in 0.025 mol/dm3 HCl as the supporting electrolyte. A linear response was obtained in the the range of 0.05-4 mg/dm3. The limit of detection and limit of quantitation were 0.018 mg/dm3 and 0.054 mg/dm3, respectively. Due to the use of specific working electrode, a significant enhancement of the method relative sensitivity of about 10 times was achieved. The accuracy of the defined method was confirmed by HPLC analyses. The developed method was successfully applied for the quantitation of riboflavin in various pharmaceutical multivitamin preparations.