Résumé : The present thesis work is dedicated to the implementation of novel electrochemical methods for the assay of drug compounds such as paracetamol and ascorbic acid and biologically relevant biothiols such as cysteine and glutathione. Particular attention has been paid to the development and application of amperometric detectors allowing for a readily surface renewing and for highly selective and sensitive assays.

Coupling of a screen printed electrochemical detector with a monolithic chromatographic column was performed for high-throughput analysis along with selectivity, sensitivity and good precision. The modification of a glassy carbon electrode with a perm-selective membrane was investigated in order to provide an electrochemical sensor for on-site analysis. Acetaminophen was investigated as a model drug compound because of its extensive use in drug “pain killer” medication.

Along with the aims of this thesis, a silver polycrystalline electrode was investigated as a sensitive and class selective electrode for the assay of small thiol-based molecules. The silver electrode was implemented for the first time as an amperometric detector coupled to liquid chromatography for the assay of thiols. Application to the study of thiol species present in white wines was realized in order to illustrate the potential of the silver working electrode as amperometric detector.