FAST SPECTROMETRIC METHOD FOR MERCURY(II) DETERMINATION BASED ON GLUCOSE-OXIDASE INHIBITION

A fast spectrometric kinetic method for mercury(II) ions determination based on their property to inhibit glucose-oxidase activity is presented. The measurement of enzyme activity was based on enzymatic reduction of benzoquinone to hydroquinone and on the measurements of the initial rate of hydroquinone absorbance increase at 290 nm. A calibration curve for Hg(II) concentrations was obtained in the 0.05-1.0 mu g/mL range, with a detection limit of 0.015 mu g/mL and a relative standard deviation RSD <= 2.7%. The analysis time was 2 min. Determination of mercury in a real sample was in good agreement with the declared mercury concentration.