Determination of nicotinamide (NA) using its polarographic catalytic wave in the presence of KIO3

Nicotinamide (NA) yields a polarographic catalytic wave with a peak potenti al -1.38 V (vs. SCE) in 0.1 mol/L HAc-NaAc (pH 4.7)/4 x 10(-3) mol/L KIO3 b uffer solution. The sensitivity of the catalytic wave increased in one orde r of magnitude as compared to that of the responding reduction wave without KIO3. Based on this observation, a new method for the determination of NA was recommended. The second order derivative peak current was proportional to the NA concentration in the range of 5 x 10(-8)-6 x 10(-7) mol/L. 0.11-f old vitamin B-1, 0.13-fold B-2 0.14-fold B-6 and 8-fold nicotinic acid amou nts do not interfere the determination of 1 x 10(-6) mol/L NA. The proposed method was used to determine the NA content in multivitamin tablets, with good agreement to the declared amount.