Design of a mediator-free, non-enzymatic electrochemical biosensor for glutamate detection

A mediator-free, non-enzymatic electrochemical biosensor was constructed by covalent immobilization of a genetically engineered periplasmic glutamate binding protein onto gold nanoparticle-modified, screen-printed carbon electrodes (GluBP/AuNP/SPCE) for the purpose of direct measurement of glutamate levels. Glutamate serves as the predominant excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. As high levels of glutamate are an indicator of many neurologic disorders, there is a need for advancements in glutamate detection technologies. The biosensor was evaluated for glutamate detection by cyclic voltammetry. Binding of glutamate to the immobilized glutamate binding protein results in a conformational change of the latter that alters the microenvironment on the surface of the sensor, which is manifested as a change in signal. Dose-response plots correlating the electrochemical signal to glutamate concentration revealed a detection limit of 0.15 μM with a linear range of 0.1-0.8 μM. Selectivity studies confirmed a strong preferential response of the biosensor for glutamate against common interfering compounds.