Disposable biosensor based on cathodic electrochemiluminescence of tris(2,2-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) for uric acid determination

A new method for uric acid (UA) determination based on the quenching of the cathodic ECL of the tris(2,2-bipyridine)ruthenium(II)–uricase system is described. The biosensor is based on a double-layer design containing first tris(2,2-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)32+) electrochemically immobilized on graphite screen-printed cells and uricase in chitosan as a second layer. The uric acid biosensing is based on the ECL quenching produced by uric acid over the cathodic ECL caused by immobilized Ru(bpy)32+ in the presence of uricase. The use of a −1.1 V pulse for 1 s with a dwelling time of 10 s makes it possible to estimate the initial enzymatic rate, which is used as the analytical signal. The Stern–Volmer type calibration function shows a dynamic range from 1.0 × 10−5 to 1.0 × 10−3 M with a limit of detection of 3.1 × 10−6 M and an accuracy of 13.6% (1.0 × 10−4 M, n = 5) as relative standard deviation. Satisfactory results were obtained for urine samples, creating an affordable alternative for uric acid determination.

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► Cathodic ECL offers conventional and non-aggressive analysis conditions.
► The ECL hydrogen peroxide/ruthenium complex system for uric acid determination is novel.
► The ruthenium complex is electrochemically immobilized on graphite screen-printed electrodes.
► The quantification of the uric acid is based on a Stern–Volmer type equation.
► The use of the cathodic ECL working methodology reduces interferences during analysis.