Amperometric detection of thiopurines in blood plasma with a cobalt-phthalocyanine chemically modified electrode after liquid chromatography

Cobalt phthalocyanine-containing carbon paste electrodes are used as electrocatalytic amperometric sensors for 6-mercaptopurine, 6-thioguanine, and several related thiopurines in blood plasma after separation by liquid chromatography. Required sample preparation is minimal, and total quantitation time is 8 min or less. Detection limits are 1.5–8 pmol, approximately an order of magnitude better than that obtained with ultraviolet or fluorescence detection.