KINETIC–FLUORIMETRIC DETERMINATION OF ETHYLENETHIOUREA BY THE STOPPED–FLOW TECHNIQUE

Abstract

A simple, sensitive, and rapid kinetic-fluorimetric method based on the oxidation of ethylenethiourea with cerium (IV) is proposed for the determination of ethylenethiourea. The rate of formation of fluorescent cerium (III) is high, while the stped flow mixing technique allows this initial rate to be easily measured and facilitates the automation of the method. The calibration graph is linear over the range 0.1–2 μg mL⁻¹ and the precision (% RSD) is close to 1.1%. The usefulness of the method was tested for the determination of ethylenethiourea in water, milk, and fruit.

Keywords:

• Ethylenethiourea
• Stopped-flow mixing technique
• Water
• Fruit
• Milk

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors express their gratitude for the financial support from the Fundación Séneca de la Comunidad Autónoma de Murcia and from DGICYT.