Abstract
A new arginine selective membrane optical sensor was developed by immobilisation of an azobenzothiazole polyene dye in a plasticised poly(vinyl chloride) membrane, wherein benzothiazole moieties of the dye act as dipolar molecule receptors for arginine. It measures arginine with a high specificity, reproducibility and accuracy over a dynamic linear range between 2.2×10−2 and 8.8×10−5M. Reproducibility of the assays was proved by calculation of intra- and interassay variations for the emission of optode and showed 5.3 and 7.6% respectively. Its selectivity was proved by ruling out of other amino acids interferences. The response time of the sensor was less than 10 min. Finally, the accurate measurement of arginine in real sample was carried out. In conclusion, it is an easy to prepare sensor with good response time, long life span, excellent arginine selectivity among a wide variety of other amino acids, and long-term response stability.