Nucleic acid biosensor for DNA hybridization detection using rutin-Cu as an electrochemical indicator

The complex of rutin-Cu (C₈₁H₈₆Cu₂O₄₈, abbreviated by Cu₂R₃, R = rutin) was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and IR spectra. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and fluorescence spectroscopy were used to investigate the interaction of Cu₂R₃ with salmon sperm DNA. It was revealed that Cu₂R₃ could interact with double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) by a major intercalation role. Using Cu₂R₃ as a novel electroactive indicator, an electrochemical DNA biosensor for the detection of specific DNA fragment was developed and its selectivity for the recognition with different target DNA was assessed by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The target DNA related to coliform virus gene could be quantified ranged from 1.62 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹ to 8.10 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹ with a good linearity (r = 0.9989) and a detection limit of 2.3 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹ (3σ, n = 7) was achieved by the constructed electrochemical DNA biosensor.     

A sensitive DNA biosensor fabricated from gold nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, and zinc oxide nanowires on a glassy carbon electrode

We outline here the fabrication of a sensitive electrochemical DNA biosensor for the detection of sequence-specific target DNA. Zinc oxide nanowires (ZnONWs) were first immobilized on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with carboxyl groups were then dropped onto the surface of the ZnONWs. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were subsequently introduced to the surface of the MWNTs/ZnONWs by electrochemical deposition. A single-stranded DNA probe with a thiol group at the end (HS-ssDNA) was covalently immobilized on the surface of the AuNPs by forming an Au-S bond. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) were used to investigate the film assembly process. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was used to monitor DNA hybridization by measuring the electrochemical signals of [Ru(NH₃)₆]³⁺ bounding to double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). The incorporation of ZnONWs and MWCNTs in this sensor design significantly enhances the sensitivity and the selectivity. This DNA biosensor can detect the target DNA quantitatively in the range of 1.0 × 10⁻¹³ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ M, with a detection limit of 3.5 × 10⁻¹⁴ M (S/N = 3). In addition, the DNA biosensor exhibits excellent selectivity, even for single-mismatched DNA detection.     

Electrochemical biosensor based on the interaction between copper(II) complex with 4,5-diazafluorene-9-one and bromine ligands and deoxyribonucleic acid

The copper complex of 4,5-diazafluorene-9-one (dafone) and bromine ligands ([Cu(dafone)₂]Br₂) was prepared and its interaction with double-stranded salmon sperm DNA (dsDNA) in pH 8.0 Britton-Robinson (B-R) buffer solution was studied by electrochemical experiments at the glassy carbon electrode (GCE). It was revealed that Cu(dafone)₂Br₂ could bind with salmon sperm DNA strands mainly by intercalation mode. The binding number of [Cu(dafone)₂]Br₂ for each salmon sperm dsDNA chain and equilibrium constant of the binding reaction were calculated to be 3 and 2.8 × 10¹² L³ mol⁻³, respectively. The Cu(dafone)₂Br₂ was further utilized as a new electrochemical DNA indicator for the detection of human hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA fragment by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The difference of its electrochemical responses occurred between hybridized dsDNA duplex and probe DNA was explored to assess the selectivity of the developed electrochemical DNA biosensor. The constructed electrochemical DNA biosensor achieved a detection limit of 3.18 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹ for complementary target DNA and also realized a robust stability and good reusability.     

A novel hydrogen peroxide biosensor based on Au-graphene-HRP-chitosan biocomposites

Graphene was prepared successfully by introducing -SO₃⁻ to separate the individual sheets. TEM, EDS and Raman spectroscopy were utilized to characterize the morphology and composition of graphene oxide and graphene. To construct the H₂O₂ biosensor, graphene and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were co-immobilized into biocompatible polymer chitosan (CS), then a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was modified by the biocomposite, followed by electrodeposition of Au nanoparticles on the surface to fabricate Au/graphene/HRP/CS/GCE. Cyclic voltammetry demonstrated that the direct electron transfer of HRP was realized, and the biosensor had an excellent performance in terms of electrocatalytic reduction towards H₂O₂. The biosensor showed high sensitivity and fast response upon the addition of H₂O₂, under the conditions of pH 6.5, potential −0.3 V. The time to reach the stable-state current was less than 3 s, and the linear range to H₂O₂ was from 5 × 10⁻⁶ M to 5.13 × 10⁻³ M with a detection limit of 1.7 × 10⁻⁶ M (S/N = 3). Moreover, the biosensor exhibited good reproducibility and long-term stability.     

A DNA electrochemical sensor with poly-l-lysine/single-walled carbon nanotubes films and its application for the highly sensitive EIS detection of PAT gene fragment and PCR amplification of NOS gene

A sensitive and novel DNA electrochemical biosensor for the detection of the transgenic plants gene fragment by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was presented. The well-dispersed carboxylic group-functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) were dripped onto the carbon paste electrode (CPE) surface firstly, and poly-l-lysine films (pLys) were subsequently electropolymerized by cyclic voltammetry (CV) to prepare pLys/SWNTs/CPE. The morphology of pLys/SWNTs films was examined using a field emission scanning electron microscope (SEM). The pLys/SWNTs films modified electrode exhibited very good conductivity. DNA probes were easily immobilized on the poly-l-lysine films via electrostatic adsorption. The hybridization events were monitored with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy using [Fe(CN)₆]^3−/4− as indicator. The PAT gene fragment from phosphinothricin acetyltransferase gene was detected by this DNA electrochemical sensor. The dynamic detection range of this sensor to the PAT gene fragment was from 1.0 × 10⁻¹² to 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ mol/L. A detection limit of 3.1 × 10⁻¹³ mol/L could be estimated. The PCR amplification of NOS gene from the sample of a kind of transgenic modified bean was also detected satisfactorily by EIS.     

DNA Langmuir-Blodgett modified glassy carbon electrode as voltammetric sensor for determinate of methotrexate

A highly sensitive electrochemical biosensor for the detection of trace amounts of methotrexate has been designed. Double stranded (ds)DNA molecules are immobilized onto a pretreated glassy carbon electrode (GCE(ox)) surface with Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique. The adsorptive voltammetric behaviors of methotrexate on DNA-modified electrode were explored by means of cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV). The oxidation mechanism was proposed and discussed in this work. In addition, the optimum experimental conditions for the detection of methotrexate were explored, and the currents measured by SWV presented a good linear property as a function of the concentrations of methotrexate in the range of 2.0 × 10⁻⁸ to 4.0 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹, with an LOD of 5.0 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹. The method proposed was applied for the determination of methotrexate in pharmaceutical dosage and diluted human urine with wonderful satisfactory successfully.     

Electrochemical study on cobalt film modified glassy carbon electrode and its application

A novel electroactive material for ascorbic acid (AA) determination was successfully prepared by plating/potential cycling method. The cobalt film was first deposited on the surface of glassy carbon electrode (GCE) in CoSO₄ solution by potential cycling, and then a cobalt film on the surface of GCE was activated by potential cycling in 0.1 mol L⁻¹ NaOH. The electrochemical performance of the resulted film (Co/GCE) and factors affecting its electrochemical activity were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and amperometry. This film electrode exhibited good electrocatalytic activity to the oxidation of AA. This biosensor had a fast response of AA less than 3 s and excellent linear relationships were obtained in the concentration range of 3 × 10⁻⁷ to 1 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ with a detection limit of 2 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹ (S/N = 3) under the optimum conditions. Moreover, the selectivity, stability and reproducibility of this biosensor were evaluated with satisfactory results.     

Hybridization biosensor using sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate as electrochemical indicator for detection of short DNA species of chronic myelogenous leukemia

Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was used to investigate electrochemical behavior of sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS) and the interaction between STS and salmon sperm DNA. STS had excellent electrochemical activity on the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with a couple reversible redox peaks. In pH 4.0 phosphate buffer solution (PBS), the binding ratio between STS and salmon sperm DNA was calculated to be 1:1 and the binding constant was 1.67 × 10⁴ L/mol. A chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML, Type b3a2) DNA biosensor was developed by immobilizing covalently single-stranded CML DNA fragment to a modified GCE. The surface hybridization of the immobilized single-stranded CML DNA fragment with its complementary DNA fragment was evidenced by electrochemical methods using STS as a novel electrochemical indicator, with a detection limit of 6.7 × 10⁻⁹ M and a linear range from 2.0 × 10⁻⁸ M to 2.0 × 10⁻⁷ M. Selective determination of complementary ssDNA was achieved using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV).     

A novel DNA biosensor based on ssDNA/Cyt c/l-Cys/GNPs/Chits/GCE

A novel DNA biosensor was fabricated by modified multilayer of ssDNA, cytochrome c, l-cysteine, metal gold nanoparticles and Chitosan (denoted as ssDNA/Cyt c/l-Cys/GNPs/Chits/GCE). The behavior of the DNA biosensor was then investigated by voltammetry, impedance spectrum and atomic force microscope (AFM), and the morphologic differences among each layer of the DNA biosensor were also observed. Results revealed that two well-defined redox peaks exhibited at 0.120 V and 0.362 V, and the amount of adsorbed DNA was 1.672 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol cm⁻². We concluded that the modified electrode could be used to detect DNA with the indicator daunomycin.     

Voltammetric determination of paraquat at DNA-gold nanoparticle composite electrodes

A novel electroanalytical method for the detection of paraquat using DNA modified gold nanoparticles immobilized at a gold electrode is demonstrated. The electrode surface was first modified using the self-assembly of gold nanoparticles (NPs) followed by the simple adsorption of DNA onto the NPs, which was straightforward, fast and cost effective. The DNA-nanoparticle composite sensor was then characterized in terms of electrochemical responses both in the absence and in the presence of paraquat using cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry and square wave voltammetry. The DNA-NPs composite electrode proved to work adequately as a biosensor for the quantitative analysis of paraquat concentrations, taking advantage of utilizing both the modified gold nanoparticles and the interaction between DNA with paraquat molecules. In addition, the NPs modified electrode demonstrated good sensitivity and stability towards the first reversible reduction step of the double charged paraquat ion. Good linearity between paraquat concentration and peak current was observed for the concentration range of 5.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 1.0 × 10⁻³ M when using differential pulse voltammetry. The use of modified electrodes improves the performance of the biosensor in the presence of interfering species in particular when square wave voltammetry is used.     

Functionalized carbon nanotube-bienzyme biocomposite for amperometric sensing

An approach to design a biocomposite bienzyme biosensor with the aim of evaluating its suitability as an amperometric sensor using functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) is presented. The biosensor is based on a bienzyme-channelling configuration, employing the enzymes glucose oxidase (GOx) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP), which were immobilized with toluidine blue (TB) functionalized MWCNTs. The proposed method demonstrates an easy electron transfer between the immobilized enzymes and the electrode via functionalized MWCNTs in a Nafion matrix. Co-immobilization of GOx and HRP was employed to establish the feasibility of fabricating highly effective bienzyme-based biosensors for low-level glucose determination. Bienzyme immobilized TB functionalized MWCNTs were attached to a glassy carbon electrode, and the electrochemical behavior of the sensor was studied using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The excellent electrocatalytic activity of the biocomposite film resulted in the detection of glucose under reduced over potential with a wider range of determination from 1.5 × 10⁻⁸ M to 1.8 × 10⁻³ M and with a detection limit of 3 × 10⁻⁹ M. The sensor showed a short response time (within 2 s), good stability and anti-interferant ability. The proposed biosensor exhibits good analytical performance in terms of repeatability, reproducibility and shelf-life stability.     

Electrochemically fabricated polyaniline nanowire-modified electrode for voltammetric detection of DNA hybridization

A novel and sensitive electrochemical DNA biosensor based on electrochemically fabricated polyaniline nanowire and methylene blue for DNA hybridization detection is presented. Nanowires of conducting polymers were directly synthesized through a three-step electrochemical deposition procedure in an aniline-containing electrolyte solution, by using the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) as the working electrode. The morphology of the polyaniline films was examined using a field emission scanning electron microscope (SEM). The diameters of the nanowires range from 80 to 100 nm. The polyaniline nanowires-coated electrode exhibited very good electrochemical conductivity. Oligonucleotides with phosphate groups at the 5′ end were covalently linked onto the amino groups of polyaniline nanowires on the electrode. The hybridization events were monitored with differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) measurement using methylene blue (MB) as an indicator. The approach described here can effectively discriminate complementary from non-complementary DNA sequence, with a detection limit of 1.0 × 10⁻¹² mol l⁻¹ of complementary target, suggesting that the polyaniline nanowires hold great promises for sensitive electrochemical biosensor applications.     

Amperometric tyrosinase biosensor based on Fe3O4 nanoparticles-coated carbon nanotubes nanocomposite for rapid detection of coliforms

A tyrosinase (Tyr) biosensor was developed based on Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs)-coated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) nanocomposite and further applied to detect the concentration of coliforms with flow injection assay (FIA) system. Negatively charged MNPs were absorbed onto the surface of CNTs which were wrapped with cationic polyelectrolyte poly(dimethyldiallylammonium chloride) (PDDA). The Fe₃O₄ MNPs-coated CNTs nanocomposite was modified on the surface of the glassy carbon electrode (GCE), and Tyr was loaded on the modified electrode by glutaraldehyde. The immobilization matrix provided a good microenvironment for retaining the bioactivity of Tyr, and CNTs incorporated into the nanocomposite led to the improved electrochemical detection of phenol. The Tyr biosensor showed broad linear response of 1.0 × 10⁻⁸-3.9 × 10⁻⁵ M, low detection limit of 5.0 × 10⁻⁹ M and high sensitivity of 516 mA/M for the determination of phenol. Moreover, the biosensor integrated with a FIA system was used to monitor coliforms, represented by Escherichia coli (E. coli). The detection principle was based on determination of phenol which was produced by enzymatic reaction in the E. coli solution. Under the optimal conditions, the current responses obtained in the FIA system were proportional to the concentration of bacteria ranging from 20 to 1 × 10⁵ cfu/mL with detection limit of 10 cfu/mL and the overall assay time of about 4 h. The developed biosensor with the FIA system was well suited for quick and automatic clinical diagnostics and water quality analysis.     

An electrochemical DNA biosensor developed on novel multinuclear nickel(II) salicylaldimine metallodendrimer platform

An electrochemical DNA biosensor (EDB) was prepared using an oligonucleotide of 21 bases with sequence NH₂-5′-GAGGAGTTGGGGGAGCACATT-3′ (probe DNA) immobilized on a novel multinuclear nickel(II) salicylaldimine metallodendrimer on glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The metallodendrimer was synthesized from amino functionalized polypropylene imine dendrimer, DAB-(NH₂)₈. The EDB was prepared by depositing probe DNA on a dendrimer-modified GCE surface and left to immobilize for 1 h. Voltammetric and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS) studies were carried out to characterize the novel metallodendrimer, the EDB and its hybridization response in PBS using [Fe(CN)₆]^3−/4− as a redox probe at pH 7.2. The metallodendrimer was electroactive in PBS with two reversible redox couples at E°′ = +200 mV and E°′ = +434 mV; catalytic by reducing the E_pa of [Fe(CN)₆]^3−/4− by 22 mV; conducting and has diffusion coefficient of 8.597 × 10⁻⁸ cm² s⁻¹. From the EIS circuit fitting results, the EDB responded to 5 nM target DNA by exhibiting a decrease in charge transfer resistance (R_ct) in PBS and increase in R_ct in [Fe(CN)₆]^3−/4− redox probe; while in voltammetry, increase in peak anodic current was observed in PBS after hybridization, thus giving the EDB a dual probe advantage.     

Interaction between promethazine hydrochloride and DNA and its application in electrochemical detection of DNA hybridization

The interactions of promethazine hydrochloride (PZH) with thiolated single-stranded DNA (HS-ssDNA) and double-stranded DNA (HS-dsDNA) self-assembled on gold electrodes have been studied electrochemically. The binding of PZH with ssDNA shows a mechanism containing an electrostatic interaction, while the mode of PZH interaction with dsDNA contains both electrostatic and intercalative bindings. The redox system belongs to the category of diffusion control approved by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The diffusion coefficients of PZH at the bare, HS-dsDNA and HS-ssDNA modified gold electrodes decrease regularly as 1.34 × 10⁻³ cm² s⁻¹, 1.04 × 10⁻³ cm² s⁻¹, 7.47 × 10⁻⁴ cm² s⁻¹, respectively. The electron transfer standard rate constant k_s of PZH at bare gold, HS-ssDNA and HS-dsDNA modified electrodes are 0.419 s⁻¹, 0.131 s⁻¹, and 0.154 s⁻¹, respectively. The presence of adsorbed dsDNA results in a great increase in the peak currents of PZH in comparison with those obtained at a bare or ssDNA adsorbed gold electrode. The difference between interactions of PZH with HS-ssDNA and HS-dsDNA has been used for hybridization recognition of 14-mer DNA oligonucleotide. The peak current (i_pa) of PZH is linearly proportional to the logarithmic concentration of complementary target DNA in the range from 2.0 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹ to 5.0 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹ with the detection limit of 3.8 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol L⁻¹.     

Direct electrochemistry of guanosine on multi-walled carbon nanotubes modified carbon ionic liquid electrode

A multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) modified carbon ionic liquid electrode (CILE) was fabricated and used to investigate the electrochemical behavior of guanosine. CILE was prepared by mixing hydrophilic ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (EMIMBF₄), graphite powder and liquid paraffin together. The fabricated MWCNTs/CILE showed great electrocatalytic ability to the oxidation of guanosine and an irreversible oxidation peak appeared at 1.067 V (vs. SCE) with improved peak current. The electrochemical behavior of guanosine on the MWCNTs/CILE was carefully studied by cyclic voltammetry and the electrochemical parameters such as the charge transfer coefficient (α) and the electrode reaction standard rate constant (k_s) were calculated with the result as 0.66 and 2.94 × 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹, respectively. By using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) as the detection method, a linear relationship was obtained between the oxidation peak current and the guanosine concentration in the range from 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 4.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol/L with the detection limit as 7.8 × 10⁻⁸ mol/L (3σ). The common coexisting substances showed no interferences to the guanosine detection and the modified electrode showed good ability to distinguish the electrochemical response of guanosine and adenosine.     

Electrochemical detection of DNA hybridization using a water-soluble branched polyethyleneimine-cobalt(III)-phenanthroline indicator and PNA probe on Au electrodes

An electrochemical method for the detection of DNA hybridization using a novel electroactive, cationic, and water-soluble branched polyethyleneimine (BPEI)-cobalt(III)-phenanthroline(phen) polymeric indicator and single-stranded neutral peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probe on the Au electrode was developed. The indicator possesses some free amine groups, as well as cationic cobalt complexes in the polymer chain. It does not bind to neutral PNA capture probe alone. However, the indicator strongly interacts with the negatively charged backbone of the complementary oligonucleotide bound to the PNA probe through electrostatic interactions. The coordination spherical moieties also interact with the probe by embedding into the double-helix structure of PNA-DNA. These two interactions enable transduction of hybridization, producing a clear electrical signal in differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The correlation against non-complementary DNA, three-base and one-base mismatch DNA was sharp, and the signal of indicator for the target DNA demonstrated a linear relationship within the concentration range of 5.0 × 10⁻⁹ to 2.5 × 10⁻⁷ M (R = 0.9940) with a detection limit of 5.6 × 10⁻¹⁰ M. These studies showed that the novel polymeric indicator and single-stranded PNA probe could be used to fabricate an electrochemical biosensor for DNA detection. This technique can provide an alternative route for expanding the range of detection methods available for DNA hybridization.     

Voltammetric determination of ascorbic acid and dopamine in the same sample at the surface of a carbon paste electrode modified with polypyrrole/ferrocyanide films

Functionalized polypyrrole film were prepared by incorporation of [Fe(CN)₆]⁴⁻ as a doping anion, during the electropolymerization of pyrrole onto a carbon paste electrode in an aqueous solution by potentiostatic method. The electrochemical behavior of dopamine (DA) and ascorbic acid (AA) in one solution was studied at the surface of bare and modified carbon paste electrodes using cyclic voltammetry (CV), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and differntial pulse voltammetry (DPV) methods. The well separated anodic peaks for oxidation of DA and AA were observed at the surface of the modified carbon paste electrode under optimum condition (pH 6.00), which can be used for determination of these species simultaneously in mixture by LSV and DPV methods. The linear analytical curves were obtained in the ranges of 0.10-1.00 mM and 0.10-0.95 mM for ascorbic acid and 0.10-1.20 mM and 0.20-0.95 mM for dopamine concentrations using LSV and DPV methods, respectively. The detection limits (2σ) were determined as 3.38 × 10⁻⁵ M and 1.34 × 10⁻⁵ M of ascorbic acid and 3.86 × 10⁻⁵ M and 1.51 × 10⁻⁵ M of dopamine by CV and DPV methods.     

Direct electron transfer of horseradish peroxidase on Nafion-cysteine modified gold electrode

Direct electron transfer of horseradish peroxidase, immobilized on a functional membrane-modified gold electrode, was studied. The electrode showed a quasi-reversible electrochemical redox behavior with a formal potential of 60 mV (versus Ag/AgCl) in 20 mM potassium phosphate buffer solution at pH 7.0 and temperature 25 °C. The cathodic transfer coefficient was 0.42 and electron transfer rate constant was evaluated to be 1.6 s⁻¹. Furthermore, the modified electrode was used as a biosensor and exhibited a satisfactory stability and sensitivity to H₂O₂. The linear range of this biosensor for H₂O₂ determination was from 5.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 1.5 × 10⁻⁴ M while its detection limit, based on a signal-to-noise ratio of 3, was 1.3 × 10⁻⁶ M. The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant () for immobilized HRP was calculated to be 1.6 × 10⁻⁴ M.     

Synthesis, characterization and electroanalytical application of a new SiO2/SnO2 carbon ceramic electrode

A new SiO₂/SnO₂ carbon ceramic composite was prepared by the sol-gel method, and its potential application in electrochemistry as a novel electrode material has been studied. The prepared xerogel was structurally and electrochemically characterized by scanning electron microscopy coupled to energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and cyclic voltammetry. The composite was pressed in a rigid disk-shape and used as a conductive substrate to immobilize a water-soluble organic-inorganic hybrid polymer, 3-n-propyl-4-picolinium chloride silsesquioxane. The oxidation of nitrite was studied on this polymer film coated electrode in aqueous solution using cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. This modified electrode exhibited a better defined voltammetric peak shifted negatively about 60 mV. The linear detection limit found for nitrite was from 1.3 × 10⁻⁵ to 1.3 × 10⁻³ mol l⁻¹ and the detection limit was 3.3 × 10⁻⁶ mol l⁻¹.