Gas sensor for 4-ethylguaiacol detection based on tyrosinase enzymatic activity in a deep eutectic solvent

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Biosensors
• Green Chemistry

Background:

• Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are emerging as eco-friendly alternatives in electrochemical applications.
• Enzymatic sensors offer high specificity but often face limitations in stability and operational range.
• Extending enzymatic sensors to gas-phase analysis requires robust and adaptable immobilization techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a portable and disposable gas enzymatic sensor using DESs for phenol detection.
• To investigate the feasibility of immobilizing DESs onto paper-based platforms for electrochemical sensing.
• To evaluate the analytical performance of the proposed sensor for phenolic compounds in real samples.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a disposable electrochemical platform using a screen-printed carbon electrode and a tyrosinase-modified paper crown.
• Immobilization of DESs onto the paper crown for enzyme stabilization and gas-phase interaction.
• Electrochemical analysis (voltammetry and amperometry) for the detection of phenols.

Main Results:

• The developed sensor demonstrated high sensitivity, rapid response, and a wide linear range for phenol detection.
• The DES-modified paper crown enabled a membrane-free, portable, and disposable sensor configuration.
• The sensor exhibited excellent analytical performance with good repeatability in both synthetic and real wine samples.

Conclusions:

• The proposed gas enzymatic sensor utilizing DESs offers a promising, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly approach for phenol detection.
• This platform showcases the potential of DESs in enhancing the performance and applicability of enzymatic sensors, particularly in gas-phase analysis.
• The simplicity and portability of the sensor make it suitable for on-site monitoring applications.