Carbohydrates are detected by constant potential amperometric detection at a modi®ed electrode consisting of poly-1-naphthylamine coated glassy carbon with copper ions incorporated into the polymeric matrix. The polymer is electrodeposited onto the glassy carbon surface by cyclic voltammetric experiments, and copper ions incorporated by immersion of the modi®ed electrode in a 0.10 M cupric ions solution. The amount of copper incorporated into the polymeric matrix is regulated by controlling the immersion time. Cyclic voltammetric experiments showed that glucose was oxidized at the modi®ed electrode surface. The catalytic current for glucose oxidation was dependent on the amount of copper incorporated. Flow injection experiments allowed the determination of the working electrode potential at which maximum signal-to-noise ratios were obtained. The electrode was successfully used in the high performance liquid chromatographic analysis of various carbohydrates.