Cyclic voltammetry is used to study the charge transfer reaction of the biopolymer heparin at the PVC plasticized 1,6-dichlorohexane membrane-solution interface. Several unique feature of the reaction are demonstrated including the apparent diffusion control and the specific interaction of heparin with the cation of the membrane phase, which probably acts as the heparin carrier (ionophore).
Voltammetric behaviour corresponds to the interfacial transfer of a mixture of polyanions with a relatively hogh content of polyanions carrying a low charge. Amperometry appears to be a suitable method for the quantification of heparin in various preparations with the sensitivity of ca. 1 U mL-1 (S/N = 3).