Electrochemical Determination of the Antioxidant Capacity, Total Phenolics, and Ascorbic Acid in Fruit and Vegetables by Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV) with a p-Toluene Sulfonic Acid Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode (TSA/GCE)

The determination of antioxidant capacity, total phenolics, and ascorbic acid using accurate, efficient, low cost, and rapid methods has great analytical importance. The antioxidant capacity, total phenolics, and ascorbic acid content of apricots, arugula, banana, cranberries, spinach, and strawberries were investigated with an electrochemical approach and examined for compatibility with conventional methods. The antioxidant activity was determined by ABTS and DPPH assays. The total phenolic content was determined by the Folin Ciocalteu method and ascorbic acid was quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In order to perform sensitive and simultaneous electrochemical measurements, the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was modified by electropolymerization with p-toluene sulfonic acid (TSA). The TSA/GCE modified sensor was used for the first time for the determination of antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content. The surface of the modified sensor was characterized by cyclic voltammetry and scanning electron microscopy. The TSA/GCE was linearly correlated with the differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) for Trolox and gallic acid in 0.1M NaNO3 and ascorbic acid in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer. Electrochemical methods offer a promising alternative for the determination of antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content due to their simplicity, rapid response, low cost, sensitivity, and reproducibility.