Various methods, compounds and apparatus for the detection of analytes are provided. In one aspect, the direct oxidation of an alcohol is detected electrochemically. In another aspect, a reaction of an analyte is detected, wherein the reaction is catalysed by an enzyme and a cofactor, and wherein the cofactor comprises a moiety which is capable of acting as an electron mediator. In a further aspect, a chiral analyte is detected by resolving a enantiomeric mixture of the analyte and subsequently detecting at least one of the resolved enantiomers electrochemically. The invention is particularly relevant to the detection of alcohols, especially chiral alcohols.