Application of Prussian blue-based optical sensor in pharmaceutical analysis

Optical flow-through cell-detector with incorporated transparent chemosensitive layer of Prussian blue has been applied in simple, single-channel flow-injection system for pharmaceutical analysis. The reductant analyte converts the Prussian blue based sensing layer to Prussian white form, and the attendant color change is used for sensing. Discoloration of the film is spectrophotometrically detected at 720 nm wavelength. The flow injection system has been successfully used for selective determination of ascorbic acid in simple and complex pharmaceuticals. The method is free from interferences caused by various ions and active ingredients commonly found in pharmaceuticals. The flow-through sensor is useful for spectrophotometric flow-injection analysis of intensively colored and turbid samples. The results of medicine analysis are comparable to those obtained using reference pharmacopeal method. The analytical system could be also used for determination of cysteine and hydrogen peroxide in medicines.