Bismuth nanoparticles-carbon nanotubes modified sensor for sulfasalazine analysis.

Nanocomposite of bismuth nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes in Nafion matrix was used as modifier for glassy carbon electrode in analysis of anti-inflamatory drug sulfasalazine. The nanocomposite surface exhibited exceptional synergy and remarkable enhancement effect to the voltammetric response of drug. The surface morphology and structure characterization of the modified electrodes was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The sensor exhibited excellent electroanalytical performance for drug determination in comparison with bismuth film electrode. The adsorptive stripping square-wave voltammetric signal showed a good linear correlation to sulfasalazine concentration in a broad range from 5.0×10-8 to 1.0×10-5 M with low detection limit of 1.3×10-8 M.The method was successfully utilised for drug quantification in human serum samples and good recoveries were obtained without interference from endogenous substances, 5-aminosalycilic acid and sulfapyridine formed after biotransformation of drug and folic acid co-administered as the supplement during sulfasalazine therapy. Additionally, the proposed sensor was successfully applied to analysis of sulfasalazine content in gastro-resistant pharmaceutical dosage forms.