[Enzymatic method for formaldehyde assay based on formaldehyde dehydrogenase from the recombinant yeast Hansenula...

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Analytical Chemistry

Context:

• Formaldehyde is a common industrial chemical with significant health implications.
• Existing formaldehyde assay methods can be time-consuming, complex, and involve hazardous reagents.
• There is a need for a more efficient and safer formaldehyde detection method.

Purpose:

• To develop and validate a novel enzymatic assay for formaldehyde detection.
• To utilize formaldehyde dehydrogenase from *Hansenula polymorpha* for enhanced assay performance.
• To compare the developed enzymatic method with existing chemical assays.

Summary:

• A new enzymatic formaldehyde assay was developed using formaldehyde dehydrogenase from recombinant *Hansenula polymorpha*.
• The assay exhibits a linear detection range of 0.01–0.05 mM and a sensitivity of 0.007 mM.
• This method simplifies formaldehyde analysis by eliminating the need for chemical adduct formation and avoids hazardous procedures like heating in strong acid.

Impact:

• The developed enzymatic assay is simpler and faster than traditional chemical methods.
• It reduces the risks associated with hazardous chemical procedures.
• The method's reliability is confirmed through validation with real samples, showing good correlation with established chemical methods.