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Published on: March 30, 2012
Simple laccase-based biosensor for formetanate hydrochloride quantification in fruits
Francisco Wirley Paulino Ribeiro1, Maria Fátima Barroso, Simone Morais
1REQUIMTE, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 431, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; GELCORR, Departamento de Química Analítica e Físico-Química, Centro de Ciências, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Bloco 940 Campus do Pici, 60455-970, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
This study presents a new electrochemical biosensor for detecting the pesticide formetanate hydrochloride (FMT) in fruits. The developed sensor utilizes gold nanoparticles and laccase, offering a sensitive method for FMT quantification.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Biosensor Technology
- Pesticide Analysis
Background:
- Formetanate hydrochloride (FMT) is a pesticide requiring sensitive detection methods.
- Existing analytical techniques for FMT may lack the speed or sensitivity needed for routine monitoring.
- Enzymatic biosensors offer a promising alternative for rapid and selective analyte quantification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and optimize an electrochemical enzymatic biosensor for the accurate quantification of formetanate hydrochloride (FMT).
- To evaluate the performance of the biosensor in determining FMT levels in real fruit samples (mango and grapes).
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a gold electrode modified with electrodeposited gold nanoparticles and immobilized laccase enzyme.
- Utilizing the inhibitory effect of FMT on laccase activity in the presence of aminophenol as a substrate.
- Optimization of experimental parameters including deposition potential, enzyme concentration, substrate concentration, pH, and voltammetric settings.
- Square-wave voltammetry was employed for signal detection.
Main Results:
- The optimized biosensor demonstrated high sensitivity (20.58±0.49 A/μM) and a low limit of detection (9.5×10⁻⁸ M).
- Linearity was observed in the range of 9.43×10⁻⁷ to 1.13×10⁻⁵ M.
- The biosensor showed excellent accuracy, repeatability (RSD 1.4%), reproducibility (RSD 1.8%), and stability (19 days).
- Successful application in determining FMT in mango and grapes with high recovery rates (95.5–108.6%).
Conclusions:
- The developed electrochemical enzymatic biosensor is a sensitive, accurate, and reliable tool for FMT quantification.
- The biosensor is suitable for monitoring FMT residues in fruits and ensuring compliance with maximum residue limits.
- This approach offers a viable method for pesticide residue analysis in food safety applications.
