Abstract:

The electrochemical behavior of rutin at activated electrode was examined using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and
differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was treated with CV and potentiostatic polarization
by 0.5 mol/L H2SO4 solution and 1 mol/L NaOH solution, respectively. Comparing the four types of activated glassy carbon
electrodes, it was found that potentiostatic polarization with 1 mol/L NaOH solution was a better method for GCE activation.
Then, the electrochemical behavior of rutin was investigated. It turned out that the electrochemical response of rutin at
activated GCE in the B-R buffer solution (pH 2) was sensitive, and exhibited a pair of main quasi reversible redox peaks,
involving two electrons and two protons. The peak current of DPV for rutin was increased at higher concentration, and good
linearity was observed over the range of 0.6–10 μmol/L with a limit of detection of 0.08 μmol/L. This method was simple
and sensitive with good repeatability and was successfully applied to the determination of rutin content in buckwheat tea.

Key words: rutin, activated glassy carbon electrode, electrochemical, differential pulse voltammetry, buckwheat tea