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Updated: Aug 11, 2026
08:51
Quantification of Coenzyme A in Cells and Tissues
Published on: September 27, 2019
Volatile fatty acid-sensing system involving coenzyme-A transferase
Eranna Rajashekhara1, Akihumi Hosoda, Koji Sode
1Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Marine Biotechnology Institute, Heita, Kamaishi, Iwate 026-0001, Japan.
Biotechnology Progress
|February 4, 2006
Summary
A new biosensing system detects volatile fatty acids (VFAs) like propionate with high sensitivity. This enzyme-based system offers accurate on-site monitoring for medical and industrial applications.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Enzyme Engineering
- Biosensor Development
Background:
- On-site monitoring of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) is crucial for industrial and medical fields.
- Existing biosensors often lack the required sensitivity or suffer from background interference.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a highly sensitive and reliable biosensing system for VFA detection.
- To overcome limitations of previous biosensor designs, specifically background reactions.
Main Methods:
- Constructed a biosensing system using propionate CoA-transferase (PCT) and acyl-CoA oxidase.
- Utilized acetyl-CoA as a substrate to produce hydrogen peroxide.
- Quantified hydrogen peroxide via colorimetric methods with peroxidase and dye reagents.
Main Results:
- Achieved high sensitivity, detecting propionate down to 1 microM.
- Demonstrated over 100-fold improvement in sensitivity compared to acyl-CoA synthetase (ACS) biosensors.
- Successfully measured propionate in serum and fermentation samples.
Conclusions:
- The developed VFA biosensing system offers a sensitive and specific method for on-site VFA detection.
- The system shows significant potential for applications in medical diagnostics and industrial fermentation monitoring.
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