A sub-nanomole level electrochemical method for determination of prochloraz and its metabolites based on medical stone doped disposable electrode

A ultrasensitive, simple and convenient electrochemical method was firstly developed for the determination of prochloraz and its metabolites as 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) using nano-aperture medical stone. Compared with the undoped disposable electrode (UDE), nano-aperture medical stone doped disposable electrode (MSDDE) not only significantly enhances the oxidation peak current of 2,4,6-TCP but also lowers the oxidation overpotential, suggesting that the nano-aperture MSDDE can remarkably improve the sensitivity of 2,4,6-TCP. The experimental conditions such as pH values of buffer solution, the content of nano-aperture medical stone, accumulation potential and time were optimized for the determination of 2,4,6-TCP. At optimal conditions, the oxidation peak current is proportional to the concentration of 2,4,6-TCP over the range from 6.0 × 10−9 to 8.0 × 10−5 mol L−1. Finally, this novel method was successfully employed to detect prochloraz and its metabolites in orange rind with the detection limit of 8.4 × 10−10 mol L−1 (0.3 ng g−1) and the method was validated by gas chromatography.