PRACTICAL ASPECTS AND METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO ACHIEVE ELECTROCHEMICAL DETECTION OF SUBMICROMOLAR NO IN BIOLOGICAL-SYSTEMS

Amperometry is one of the electrochemical techniques which may be used for real-time detection of nitric oxide, NO, in biological systems. W e address here possible hazards that may be associated with some of th e various electrochemical sensors and techniques reported. Specificall y, it is not only important to consider the design of the microsensor for high performance NO detection, but one must also consider the para meters associated with the amperometric technique that is utilized in making the measurements. Thus, the conception of any efficient sensor should judiciously combine the optimum organized layer electrode desig n with the most appropriate amperometric technique, such as differenti al normal pulse amperometry and/or pulsed chronoamperometry. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.