Potentiometric membrane sensor for determination of saccharin

A potentiometric poly(vinyl chloride) membrane sensor for determination of saccharin is described. It is based on the use of Aliquat 336S-saccharinateion-pair as an electroactive material in plasticized PVC membranes with o-nitrophenyloctylether or dioctylphthalate. The sensor is conditioned for at least two days in 0.1molL sodium saccharinate before use. It exhibits fast, stable and Nernstian response for saccharinate ions over the concentration range of 1.0 X 10-5.0 X 10molL and pH range of 4.5-11. The sensor is used for determination of saccharin in some dosage forms. Results with an average recovery of 101% and a mean standard deviation of 0.2% are obtained which is compared favourably with data obtained using the British pharmacopoeia method. The sensor shows reasonable selectivity towards saccharin in presence of many anions and natural sweeteners.