A flow injection analysis coupled dual electrochemical detector for selective and simultaneous detection of guanine and adenine

•First study for simultaneous determination of guanine (G) and adenine (A) using a dual electrode.•Separation-less flow-injection analysis technique was introduced for G and A.•This method is selective and no interference by the presence of other DNA bases (T and C).•DNA hybridization process and meat real sample analysis were demonstrated.

Adenine (A) and guanine (G), important bases of nucleic acids, are often analyzed by separation coupled spectroscopic detection methods. Herein, we are demonstrated a new flow-injection analysis (FIA) coupled dual electrochemical detector (DECD), where a chitosan-carbon nanofiber (Chit-CNF) modified glassy carbon electrode prepared by a simple technique and pH 7 phosphate buffer solution as a carrier system, for separation-less quantification of G and A. This method is highly selective and no interference by the presence of the other DNA bases (Thymine and Cytosine). The FIA-DECD was operated at two different operating potentials, E1 = 0.80 V and E2 = 0.95 V vs Ag/AgCl, where G and {G + A} get oxidized, respectively. Amount of A was calculated from the difference between the FIA current signals, measured at E20.95V and E10.80V. The GCE/Chit-CNF was characterized by cyclic voltammetry with potassium ferricyanide system and Raman spectroscopy. The modified electrode showed unique electron-transfer feature with metal like conductivity. Under an optimal condition, FIA-DECD showed linear calibration plots for G and A in a concentration range, 200 nM—50 μM with current sensitivity values 13.83 ± 0.48 and 4.84 ± 0.11 nA μM−1 respectively. Calculated detection limit (signal-to-noise ratio = 3) values were 46.8 nM and 73.8 nM for G and A respectively. Applicability of the present technique was further demonstrated by detecting G and A in beef kidney sample and DNA hybridization process.

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