Enzymatic biosensor for the electrochemical detection of 2,4-dinitrotoluene biodegradation derivatives

In this work, we demonstrate for the first time that 4-methyl-5-nitrocatechol (4M5NC) and 2,4,5-trihydroxytoluene (2,4,5-THT), two compounds obtained from the 2,4-DNT biodegradation are recognized by polyphenol oxidase as substrates. An amperometric biosensor is described for detecting these compounds and for evaluating the efficiency of the 2,4-DNT conversion into 4M5NC in the presence of bacteria able to produce the 2,4-DNT-biotransformation. The biosensor format involves the immobilization of polyphenol oxidase into a composite matrix made of glassy carbon microspheres and mineral oil. The biosensor demonstrated to be highly sensitive for the quantification of 4M5NC and 2,4,5-THT. The analytical parameters for 4M5NC are the following: sensitivity of (7.5+/-0.1)x10(5)nAM(-1), linear range between 1.0x10(-5) and 8.4x10(-5)M, and detection limit of 4.7x10(-6)M. The sensitivity for the determination of 2,4,5-THT is (6.2+/-0.6)x10(6)nAM(-1), with a linear range between 1.0x10(-6) and 5.8x10(-6)M, and a detection limit of 2.0x10(-7). Under the experimental conditions, it was possible to selectively quantify 4M5NC even in the presence of a large excess of 2,4-DNT. The suitability of the biosensor for detecting the efficiency of 2,4-DNT biotransformation into 4M5NC is demonstrated and compared with HPLC-spectrophotometric detection, with very good correlation. This biosensor holds great promise for decentralized environmental testing of 2,4-DNT.