Voltammetric detection of magnolol in Chinese medicine based on the enhancement effect of mesoporous Al/SiO2-modified electrode

The enhancement effect of mesoporous Al-doped silica (Al/SiO2)-modified electrode was investigated. Due to the properties such as large surface area, strong adsorptive ability and numerous active sites, mesoporous Al/SiO2 alters the structure and property of electrode/solution interface, then greatly improves the electrochemical response of magnolol. The electrochemical behavior of magnolol was examined in detail. It is found that the oxidation peak current of magnolol remarkably increases at the mesoporous Al/SiO2-modified electrode. Based on this, a sensitive and convenient electrochemical method was developed for the determination of magnolol. The linear range is over the range from 7.5 × 10−8 to 2.0 × 10−5 mol L−1. The limit of detection (S/N = 3) is as low as 2.5 × 10−8 mol L−1. Finally, this novel method was successfully used to determine the magnolol in Chinese traditional medicines.