An enzymic method for the determination of bilirubin is described, based on
the indirect electrochemical monitoring of bilirubin via its reaction with
oxygen to biliverdin in the presence of bilirubin oxidase. Amperometric si
gnals due to oxygen depletion were taken by means of an oxygen electrode in
corporating an immobilized bilirubin oxidase membrane. The calibration plot
shows linearity up to 2.0 x 10(-4) M. This concentration range corresponds
to elevated bilirubin concentrations in adults and in newborn infants. The
RSD of the method is 3.1 % (1.0 x 10(-4) M bilirubin, n = 6). The method i
s interference free, fast ( < 3min) and easy to perform. The membrane retai
ns almost 80 % of its initial activity after 30 successive measurements.