A Strip Sensor Based on PbO2/Carbon Paste Electrode to Determine Sweetener Contents in Fruits

A strip sensor based on PbO2/carbon paste electrode was prepared by a screen-print- ing method, and employed to electrochemically determine the concentration of fruit sweeten- ers(i.e. glucose, sucrose, and fructose). The PbO2/carbon paste electrode could monitor electrocatalytic oxidation of organic compounds such as carbohydrates, and measure the levels of natural sweeteners without enzyme. Severe interference from ascorbic acid was effectively reduced by modifying the electrode surface with a Nafion membrane. The response level of the Nafion/PbO2/carbon paste electrode increased in the order of fructose, sucrose, and glucose, which corresponds to the order of sweetness perceived by humans.