Amperometric tyrosinase based biosensor using an electrogenerated polythiophene film as an entrapment support

An amperometric enzyme sensor using tyrosinase, also called polyphenol oxidase (PPO), was constructed for determination of phenolic compounds and herbicides. The enzyme was entrapped in a conducting polymer, poly 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDT), electrochemically generated on a glassy carbon electrode. Several experimental parameters in the electropolymerisation process and working conditions were determined to optimise biosensor performances. Mono-phenol and di-phenol were tested in oxygenated solutions, by amperometric measurements at −200 mV (vs. SCE) in a batch system. The limit of detection of these molecules ranges from 5 to 500 nM. Detection of herbicides was obtained from the inhibition of tyrosinase electrode responses. The limit of detection for atrazine and diuron was 1 and 0.5 mg l⁻¹ respectively. These data suggest that PEDT film is a promising PPO immobilisation method.