A SENSITIVE CHEMILUMINESCENCE METHOD FOR CINCHONA ALKALOIDS

Chemiluminescence (CL) was achieved by oxidation of sulphide with ceri um(IV) in the presence of cinchona alkaloids (quinine, quinidine or ci nchonine). The CL intensity was correlated with the concentration of e ach cinchona alkaloid. Based on this phenomenon, sensitive CL methods for these alkaloids were described. Quinine (4 x 10(-8) similar to 1 x 10(-4) g/ml), quinidine (1 x 10(-7) similar to 1 x 10(-3) g/ml) and c inchonine (1 x 10(-6) similar to 8 x 10(-4) g/ml) could be determined with detection limits of 1 x 10(-8) g/ml, 4 x 10(-8) g/ml and 6 x 10(- 7) g/ml, respectively.