DNA determination; determination of purine bases; linear sweep voltammetry; electrochemical transfer technique; hanging mercury electrode; copper

A cathodic stripping transfer voltammetric procedure for trace determination of DNA and its components is described. The method is based on the DNA acid hydrolysis with subsequent electrochemical determination of released purine bases. In the first step, DNA is hydrolyzed for 30 min in 0.5 M perchloric acid at 75 degreesC. The electrochemical step involves generation of Cu(I)-purine base complex on a mercury electrode surface, transfer of electrode with accumulated complex into supporting electrolyte where voltammetric measurement is performed. Analysis is carried out in 14-mul drop volume (two-electrode connection) or in 30-mul drop (three-electrode connection) on a platinum plate, which is used as a counter electrode. Blank electrolyte contains 0.05 M borate buffer, pH 9.2 with 6.3 muM Cu(II). We could observe voltammetric signal at hydrolyzed nucleosides, nucleotides, ODN, and DNA containing purine bases.