Development of an enzymeless biosensor for the determination of phenolic compounds

The construction of amperometric enzymeless biosensors for phenolic compounds determination, using carbon paste electrode modified with copper phtalocyanine (CuPc) and histidine (His), based on the chemistry of the dopamine β-monooxygenase (DβM) enzyme that catalyzes the hydroxylation of the dopamine and its analogs is shown. The modified carbon paste was evaluated on electrodes constructed in two ways: putting the paste into a cavity of a rotating disk electrode and a platinum slide electrode fixed into a glass tube. The sensor in hydrodynamic conditions presented a linear response range between 30 and 250 μmol l⁻¹, with a sensitivity of 4.6±0.1 nA l μmol⁻¹ cm⁻² for catechol, response time of 3 s and lifetime of about 50 days when stored at room temperature. The sensor in static conditions showed a linear response range from 40 to 250 μmol l⁻¹, with a sensitivity of 0.30±0.01 nA l μmol⁻¹ cm⁻² for catechol. The sensors presented the following relative response order for dopamine and some analog species: catechol>dopamine>guaiacol>serotonin>phenol.     

Development of an amperometric biosensor based on covalent immobilization of tyrosinase on a boron-doped diamond electrode

An amperometric enzyme electrode based on direct covalent immobilization of tyrosinase on a boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode has been developed for the detection of phenolic compounds. Combined chemical and electrochemical modifications of the BDD film with 4-nitrobenzenediazonium tetrafluoroborate, an aminophenyl-modified BDD (AP–BDD) surface was produced, and then the tyrosinase was covalently immobilized on the BDD surface via carbodiimide coupling. The response dependences of the enzyme electrode (Tyr–AP–BDD electrode) on pH of solution, applied potential, oxygen level and phenolic compounds diffusion were studied. The Tyr–AP–BDD electrode shows a linear response range of 1–200, 1–200 and 1–250 μM and sensitivity of 232.5, 636.7 and 385.8 mA M⁻¹ cm⁻² for phenol, p-cresol and 4-chlorophenol, respectively. 90 percent of the enzyme activity of the Tyr–AP–BDD electrode is retained for 5 weeks storing in 0.1 M PBS (pH 6.5) at 4 °C.     

Reagentless biosensor for phenolic compounds based on tyrosinase entrapped within gelatine film

A simple and new reagentless phenolic compound biosensor was constructed with tyrosinase immobilized in the gelatine matrix cross-linked with formaldehyde. The morphologies of gelatine and gelatine/tryosinase were characterized by SEM. The tyrosinase retains its bioactivity when being immobilized by the gelatine film. Phenolic compounds were determined by the direct reduction of biocatalytically liberated quinone at -0.1 V vs SCE. The process parameters for the fabrication of the enzyme electrode were studied. Optimization of the experimental parameters has been performed with regard to pH, operating potential, temperature and storage stability. This biosensor exhibits a fast amperometric response to phenolic compounds. The linear range for catechol, phenol, and p-Cresol determination was from 5×10⁻⁸ to 1.4×10⁻⁴ M, 5×10⁻⁸ to 7.1×10⁻⁵ M, and 1×10⁻⁷ to 3.6×10⁻⁵ M, with a detection limit of 2.1×10⁻⁸ M, 1.5×10⁻⁸ M, and 7.1×10⁻⁸ M, respectively. The enzyme electrode retained ca.77% of its activity after 7 days of storage at 4°C in a dry state. The proposed sensor presented good repeatability, evaluated in terms of relative standard deviation (R.S.D.=8.6%) for eight different biosensors and was applied for determination in water sample. The recovery for the sample was from 99.0% to 99.8%.     

Determination of phenolic acids using Trametes versicolor laccase

Two biosensors based on Trametes versicolor laccase (TvL) were developed for the determination of phenolic compounds. Commercial oxygen electrode and ferrocene-modified screen-printed graphite electrodes were used for preparation of laccase biosensors. The systems were calibrated for three phenolic acids. Linearity was obtained in the concentration range 0.1-1.0 μM caffeic acid, 0.05-0.2 μM ferulic acid, 2.0-14.0 μM syringic acid for laccase immobilised on a commercial oxygen electrode and 2.0-30.0 μM caffeic acid, 2.0-10.0 μM ferulic acid, 4.0-30.0 μM syringic acid for laccase immobilised on ferrocene-modified screen-printed electrodes. Furthermore, optimal pH, temperature and thermal stability studies were performed with the commercial oxygen electrode. Both electrodes were used for determination of a class of phenolic acids, achieving a cheap and fast tool and an easy to be used procedure for screening real samples of human plasma.     

Amperometric phenol biosensor based on sol-gel silicate/Nafion composite film

An amperometric biosensor based on tyrosinase immobilized in silicate/Nafion composite film has been developed for the determination of phenolic compounds. The Nafion polymer in the composite was used not only to overcome the brittleness of the pure sol-gel-derived silicate film but also to increase the long-term stability of the biosensor. Tyrosinase was immobilized by a thin film of silicate/Nafion composite on a glassy carbon electrode. Phenolic compounds were determined by the direct reduction of biocatalytically-liberated quinone species at −200 mV versus Ag/AgCl (3 M NaCl). The process parameters for the fabrication of the enzyme electrode and various experimental variables such as pH and operating potential were explored for optimum analytical performance of the enzyme electrode. The biosensor can reach 95% of steady-state current in about 15 s. The sensitivities of the biosensor for catechol and phenol were 200 and 46 mA/M, respectively. A detection limit of 0.35 mM catechol was obtained with a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The enzyme electrode retained 74% of its initial activity after 2 weeks of storage in 50 mM phosphate buffer at pH 7.     

A novel tyrosinase biosensor based on hydroxyapatite-chitosan nanocomposite for the detection of phenolic compounds

A novel tyrosinase biosensor based on hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (nano-HA)-chitosan nanocomposite has been developed for the detection of phenolic compounds. The uniform and size controlled nano-HA was synthesized by hydrothermal method, and its morphological characterization was examined by transmission electron microscope (TEM). Tyrosinase was then immobilized on a nano-HA-chitosan nanocomposite-modified gold electrode. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry were used to characterize the sensing film. The prepared biosensor was applied to determine phenolic compounds by monitoring the reduction signal of the biocatalytically produced quinone species at −0.2 V (vs. saturated calomel electrode). The effects of the pH, temperature and applied potential on the biosensor performance were investigated, and experimental conditions were optimized. The biosensor exhibited a linear response to catechol over a wide concentration range from 10 nM to 7 μM, with a high sensitivity of 2.11 × 10³ μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻², and a limit of detection down to 5 nM (based on S/N = 3). The apparent Michaelis-Menten constants of the enzyme electrode were estimated to be 3.16, 1.31 and 3.52 μM for catechol, phenol and m-cresol, respectively. Moreover, the stability and reproducibility of this biosensor were evaluated with satisfactory results.     

基于ZnO溶胶-凝胶固定的酪氨酸酶传感器的研制

通过使用带正电荷的ZnO溶胶-凝胶在玻碳电极表面固定酶,研制了一种简单有效的酪氨酸酶传感器。结果表明,ZnO溶胶-凝胶的等电点为酪氨酸酶的固定提供了有利的微环境,酪氨酸酶能很好地保持其生物活性。所研制的传感器达到95%稳定状态电流的时间在10 s以内。酚类化合物可通过酶催化产生的醌在-200 mV(对饱和甘汞电极)直接还原而测定,传感器对苯酚测定的灵敏度为168μA.mmol-1.L-1,线性范围为1.5×10-7~4.0×10-5mol.L-1,检出限为8.0×10-8mol.L-1。该传感器使用二周后活性仍保持原有活性的75%。     

A bienzyme electrode for tyrosine-containing peptides determination

A bienzyme electrode for monitoring biologically important peptides containing tyrosine has been established on the basis of mushroom tyrosinase and quinoprotein glucose dehydrogenase (GDH). Tyrosine residues bound in the peptide chain are oxidized by tyrosinase resulting in consumption of oxygen. Subsequently, the dopaquinone residues are reduced in the GDH catalysed reaction which is driven by an excess of glucose. This reaction cycle leads to a considerable increase of sensitivity. Both enzymes were entraped in poly(vinyl)alcohol matrix and placed on the surface of a Clark-type oxygen electrode (the working platinum electrode was potentiostated at −600 mV) (vs. Ag/AgCl reference electrode) between a polypropylene and cellulose membrane. The bienzyme-modified Clark-type oxygen electrode has a lower detection limit of 0.2 μM for the opioid peptides Tyr-D-Ser-Gly-Phe-Leu-Thr, Leu-enkephalin, Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-Phe-D-Leu and morphiceptin. The dependence of response of the electrode on the length of peptide chain and position of tyrosine residue is discussed. The new electrode has been applied to the quality control of tyrosine containing peptides from pharmaceutical formulations and from peptide synthesis.     

Analysis of phenolic xenoestrogens by pressurized CEC with amperometric detection

A new method, pressurized CEC with end‐column amperometric detection using carbon paste electrode, has been developed for the separation and determination of five phenolic xenoestrogens in chicken eggs and milk powder samples. Efficient separation of five analytes was performed by pressurized CEC using a mobile phase consisting of 60% v/v ACN and 40% v/v Tris buffer (5 mmol/L, pH 8.0), +6 kV of applied voltage and 7.0 MPa of supplementary pressure. Detection limits of 50, 5, 2, 10 and 20 ng/mL for pentachlorophenol, bisphenol‐A, 2,4‐dichlorophenol, 4‐tert‐octylphenol and 4‐nonylphenol, respectively, were achieved using carbon paste electrode as working electrode and +0.8 V as detection potential. Matrix solid phase dispersion extraction method had been employed during sample preparation procedure, and mean recoveries ranged from 79.2 to 102.6% at different concentrations of phenolic xenoestrogens for spiked egg and milk powder samples were obtained.     

Electrochemical detection of phenolic estrogenic compounds at carbon nanotube-modified electrodes

The use of a carbon nanotube-modified glassy carbon electrode (CNT-GCE) for the LC-EC detection of phenolic compounds with estrogenic activity is reported. Cyclic voltammograms for phenolic endocrine disruptors and estrogenic hormones showed, in general, an enhancement of their electrochemical oxidation responses at CNT-GCE attributable to the electrocatalytic effect caused by CNTs. Hydrodynamic voltammograms obtained under flow injection conditions lead to the selection of +700 mV as the potential value to be applied for the amperometric detection of the phenolic estrogenic compounds, this value being remarkably less positive than those reported in the literature using other electrode materials. Successive injections of these compounds demonstrated that no electrode surface fouling occurred. A mobile phase consisting of a 50:50 (v/v) acetonitrile:0.05 mol l⁻¹ phosphate buffer of pH 7.0 was selected for the chromatographic separation of mixtures of these compounds, with detection limits ranging between 98 and 340 nmol l⁻¹. Good recoveries were obtained in the analysis of underground well water and tap water samples spiked with some phenolic estrogenic compounds at a 14 nmol l⁻¹ concentration level.     

Amperometric detection of mono- and diphenols at Cerrena unicolor laccase-modified graphite electrode: correlation between sensitivity and substrate structure

Graphite electrode modified with laccase from Cerrena unicolor served as a biosensor for detection of 30 phenolic compounds with different structures. Some correlations of the sensor response to the structures of substrates are discussed. This biosensor responded to: (i) nanomolar concentrations of some of the selected phenolic compounds, e.g., 2,6-dimethoxyphenol, coniferyl alcohol, caffeic acid, DOPAC and hydroquinone, (ii) micromolar concentrations, e.g., ferulic acid, syringic acid, dopamine, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid and dl-noradrenaline, and (iii) millimolar concentrations in the case of phenol and 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde. Among the ortho- or para-substituted phenols, the sensitivity of the C. unicolor laccase-modified electrode increased in the following order H, CH(3), OH, OCH(3) and NH(3)(+) but in the case of para-substituted phenols, the K(m)(app) values were lower. The sensitivity of the laccase electrode increased with an additional OH group in para-substituted phenols. In the case of the selected compounds, kinetic data from electrochemical flow injection system were compared with those obtained from experiments in solution.     

Dual amperometric biosensor device for analysis of binary mixtures of phenols by multivariate calibration using partial least squares

A simple and reliable method for rapid evaluation of mixtures of phenolic compounds (phenol/chlorophenol, cathecol/phenol, cresol/chlorocresol and phenol/cresol) using a dual amperometric device is described. This new approach is based on the difference between the sensitivity of laccase and tyrosinase for different phenolic compounds. A multichannel potentiostat was used to monitor simultaneously laccase- and tyrosinase-based biosensors, and the data were treated using the partial least squares (PLS) chemometric algorithm. This system showed an excellent efficiency for the resolution of the phenolic mixtures. For example, in the phenol/chlorophenol mixture it was studied the determination of individual species in a concentration range from 1.0×10⁻⁶ to 10.0×10⁻⁶ mol l⁻¹ obtaining relative standard deviations of 3.5 and 3.1% for phenol and chlorophenol, respectively. The excellent correlation between the estimated and the real concentrations can also be observed by the correlation coefficients (0.9958 and 0.9981 for phenol and chlorophenol, respectively). These results show that proposed methodology can be successfully employed to the simultaneous determination of phenolic compounds in mixtures, even in more diluted solutions.     

Optimisation and validation of an automated solid phase extraction technique coupled on-line to enzyme-based biosensor detection for the determination of phenolic compounds in surface water samples

Summary A fully integrated screening system for phenolic compounds was developed incorporating on-line solid phase extraction, fractionation and biosensor detection. Two different types of biosensors, solid graphite and carbon paste electrodes incorporating the enzyme tyrosinase, were compared and used in the screening system. Interfacing of the solid phase extraction and fractionation with the biosensor detection was given special attention since the biosensors were not compatible with the organic modifier used for desorption of phenols from the solid phase extraction step. The system was validated with conventional analytical techniques. Surface water samples from the Ebro river were spiked with 1,10, and 25 μg L⁻¹ of catechol, phenol,p-cresol, respectively. Three out of seven samples were spiked and the correct samples were identified, containing phenols equivalent to the spiked concentrations.     

Optimisation and validation of an automated solid phase extraction technique coupled on-line to enzyme-based biosensor detection for the determination of phenolic compounds in surface water samples

Summary A fully integrated screening system for phenolic compounds was developed incorporating on-line solid phase extraction, fractionation and biosensor detection. Two different types of biosensors, solid graphite and carbon paste electrodes incorporating the enzyme tyrosinase, were compared and used in the screening system. Interfacing of the solid phase extraction and fractionation with the biosensor detection was given special attention since the biosensors were not compatible with the organic modifier used for desorption of phenols from the solid phase extraction step. The system was validated with conventional analytical techniques. Surface water samples from the Ebro river were spiked with 1,10, and 25g L^–1 of catechol, phenol,p-cresol, respectively. Three out of seven samples were spiked and the correct samples were identified, containing phenols equivalent to the spiked concentrations.     

A new amperometric bienzymatic biosensor based on biocomposites for the determination of gluconic acid in wines

A new amperometric bienzymatic biosensor for gluconic acid based on the coimmobilization of gluconokinase (EC 2.7.1.12) and phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.44) by polysulfone membrane entrapment onto the surface of a graphite-epoxy composite is reported. This biosensor represents an alternative to gluconate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.99.3) based methods, which is no longer commercially available. Measurements were done at an applied potential of +0.800 V, room temperature and phosphate buffer pH 7.50; obtaining a linear response range for gluconic acid extended from 7.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 2.5 × 10⁻⁴ M. Constructed biosensors showed good reproducibility for calibrations using different electrodes (RSD of 1.74%). Finally, biosensor was applied to real wine samples, and the results obtained were validated by comparison with those provided by a reference laboratory. Good correlation was found when the biosensor results were plotted vs. the reference values (slope = 1.03 ± 0.04, intercept = 0.01 ± 0.02, r² = 0.995).     

Mucin/carbopol matrix to immobilize oxalate oxidase in a urine oxalate amperometric biosensor

An enzymatic amperometric electrode with extended analytical range and improved stability for oxalate determination has been developed. Glutarlaldehyde/mucin/carbopol matrix was used for the crosslinking of the enzyme between polymeric membranes to form a classical laminate construction (sandwich) and compared with the glutaraldehyde/mucin/enzyme and glutaraldehyde/albumin/enzyme.The use of a sulphonated membrane as internal membrane allowed rejection of the most important electrooxidable urine interferents. The recovery assays were highly satisfactory. The wide linear response in the range 2-400 μM after 1/10 urine dilution (corresponding to 20-4000 μM) made it suitable for clinical range. High correlation with the standard spectrophotometric method was obtained (r² = 0.98, y = 0.89x, n = 25).     

A composite amperometric tyrosinase biosensor for the determination of the additive propyl gallate in foodstuffs

The performance of a graphite-Teflon composite amperometric tyrosinase biosensor for the determination of the food additive propyl gallate (PG) in different types of foodstuffs is reported. The enzyme reaction involves the catalytic oxidation of PG to the corresponding o-quinone, and the electrochemical reduction of this o-quinone was employed to monitor the enzyme reaction. Depending on the nature of the food sample analysed and on the presence of other phenolic antioxidants in these samples, aqueous buffer solutions or predominantly nonaqueous acetonitrile-Tris buffer mixtures were employed as working media. Experimental conditions such as the aqueous solution percentage in the predominantly nonaqueous medium, pH, and the potential to be applied were optimised. Control charts constructed showed a useful lifetime for the biosensor of 40 days when working in phosphate buffer of pH 6.5, and of 50 days in 80:20 acetonitrile-Tris buffer (pH 7.4) mixture. The limits of detection obtained for PG in these media were 9.0×10⁻⁷ and 1.1×10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹, respectively. The composite bioelectrode also performed well in the flow-injection mode. PG was determined in dehydrated broth bars using the phosphate buffer solution of pH 6.5 as working medium. However, PG was determined in spiked olive oil in the working medium formed by the 80:20 acetonitrile-Tris buffer mixture, because a liquid-liquid extraction step was carried out. Comparison of the results with those obtained by applying reference methods showed that no significant differences existed at a significance level of 0.05.     

Stacked films immobilization of MBTH in nafion/sol-gel silicate and horseradish peroxidase in chitosan for the determination of phenolic compounds

The stacked-film immobilization of 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone (MBTH) in hybrid nafion/sol-gel silicate film and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in chitosan, performed in order to allow the determination of phenolic compounds, was investigated via an optical method. The stacked films were deposited onto a microscope glass slide by a spin-coating technique. The quinone or free radical product formed by the enzymatic reactions of phenolic compounds interacts with MBTH to form azo-dye products, which can be measured spectrophotometrically at a wavelength of 500 nm. The color intensity of the product was found to increase in proportion to the phenolic concentration after 5 min of exposure. The response of the biosensor was linear over concentration ranges of 0.025–0.500, 0.010–0.070 and 0.050–0.300 mM for guaiacol, resorcinol and o-cresol, respectively, and gave detection limits of 0.010, 0.005 and 0.012 mM. The sensor exhibited good sensitivity and stability for at least two months.     

Determination of phenolic whitening agents in cosmetics by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography with amperometric detection

A sensitive method for simultaneous determination of six phenolic whitening agents,including arbutin, phenol,resorcinol,hydroquinone,kojic acid,and salicylic acid in cosmetics has been developed using micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography with amperometric detection（MECC-AD）.Effects of several factors,such as the pH value and concentration of running buffer,potential applied to the working electrode,separation voltage,and injection time were investigated to obtain optimum conditions for separation and detection.With a 75 cm long fused-silica capillary tube,well-defined separation of six phenolic compounds was achieved in 10mmol/L SDS/40 mmol/L H₃BO₃-Na₂B₄O₇ running buffer（pH 9.0）.Good linear relationship was obtained for each analyte over three orders of magnitude with correlation coefficients（r2） between 0.9985 and 0.9994,and the detection limit（S/N=3） ranged from 0.04μg/mL to 0.45μg/mL The proposed method has been successfully applied for the determination of phenolic whitening agents in real cosmetic samples with satisfactory results,providing an alternative monitoring method for cosmetics safety regulation.     

A Reagentless Tyrosinase Biosensor Based on 1,6‐Hexanedithiol and Nano‐Au Self‐Assembled Monolayers

An amperometric tyrosinase biosensor was developed via a simple and effective immobilization method using the self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) technique. The organic monolayer film was first formed by the spontaneous assembly of thiolor sulfur compound (1,6‐hexanedithiol, HDT) from solution onto gold electrode. When these thiol‐rich surfaces were exposed to Au colloid, the sulfurs form strong bonds to gold nanoparticles, anchoring the clusters to the electrode substrate. After the assembly of gold nanoparticles layer, a new nano‐Au surface was obtained. Thus, the tyrosinase could be immobilized onto the electrode. The tyrosinase retained its activity well in such an immobilization matrix. The various experimental variables for the enzyme electrode were optimized. The resulting biosensor can reach 95% of steady‐state current within 10 s, and the trend in the sensitivity of different phenolic compounds was as follows: catechol>phenol>p‐cresol. In addition, the apparent Michaelis–Menten constant (K and the stability of the enzyme electrode were estimated.