Catalytic determination of traces of oxalic acid in vegetables and water samples using a novel optode

A new optode has been introduced for determination of oxalic acid. The optode sensing reagent is Victoria blue 4R which is immobilized on triacetylcellulose membrane. This reagent could be oxidized by dichromate in acidic media resulting in decoloration of the membrane. Oxalic acid has a strong catalytic effect on this reaction. The difference in absorbance of the immobilized form of Victoria blue 4R at 615 nm between uncatalyzed and catalyzed reactions (ΔA) is directly proportional to the concentration of oxalic acid. Oxalic acid can be determined in the concentration range of 2–180 μg ml⁻¹. The effect of different possible interfering species has been examined and was shown that the optode has a very good selectivity. The optode has been applied for the determination of oxalic acid in different real samples such as spinach, beet root, mushroom and river water with excellent recoveries.