A novel modified electrode based on polypyrrole (ppy) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (swcnts) was developed for the detection of quinoline yellow. It is prepared via a simple and convenient method. Cyclic voltammetiy (CV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV) were used to confirm the successful stepwise assembly procedure of the sensor. Under the optimal conditions, the fabricated electrode exhibits excellent electrochemical activity toward the oxidation of quinoline yellow. The liner range is from 0.8 to 100 mu M, and the detection limit is down to 0.08 mu M. The modified electrode also showed good accuracy, stability and reproducibility, which might be attributed to particular properties of polypyrrole, single-walled carbon nanotubes and synergic interaction between them. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.