A new Nbim/CNT-modified glassy carbon electrode, combining the selective adsorptive capability of nitrosubstituted 3,3'-bis(indolyl)methane (Nbim) to flavonoids with the unique properties of CNTs with enlarged active surface area and extraordinary electrical conductivity, was fabricated for the analysis of luteolin with high sensitivity and selectivity. Compared to bare GCE, the Nbim/CNT-based modified electrode could synergistically enhance accumulation of luteolin from the flavonoid sample solution to the electrode surface and result in an 18-fold increase of the oxidation current of luteolin in phosphate buffer solution at pH 6.0. Using differential pulse voltammetry method, the oxidation current increased linearly with luteolin concentration at the range of 5-320 nM, with a detection limit of 0.6 nM. The proposed electrode could also effectively avoid the interference of similar structural flavonoids (quercetin, myricetin, and apigenin), which made the proposed sensor suitable for the accurate determination of luteolin in the actual samples. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.