A Modulated Tyrosinase Enzyme‐Based Biosensor for Application to the Detection of Dichlorvos and Atrazine Pesticides

A study was been made of tyrosinase amperometric biosensors for the determination of organophosphorus (dichlorvos) and triazine (atrazine) pesticides. The biosensors are based on the competitive inhibition of tyrosinase (Tyr) by the pesticides. Tyr becomes active when the reduced form of the charge‐transfer mediator (1,2‐naphthoquinone‐4‐sulfonic acid (NQS), 1,2‐naphthoquinone (NQ) and 3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐1,2‐benzoquinone (t‐BQ) were tested) are electrochemically generated onto the working electrode surface, which permits modulation of the enzymatic activity. The inhibition is reversible as there is a complete recovery of the current due to enzyme activity without the studied pesticides. The charge‐transfer mediators (the quinonic molecules) and the enzyme were co‐immobilized on the working electrode to obtain reagentless biosensors. Kinetic studies in solution were carried out to compare the efficiency of the measurement mechanism.