Amperometric biosensor for phenols based on a tyrosinase-graphite-epoxy biocomposite

Area of Science:

• Biocomposite materials
• Biosensor technology
• Enzyme immobilization

Background:

• Phenolic compounds are widespread environmental pollutants and biologically active molecules.
• Development of sensitive and selective biosensors is crucial for detecting phenolic compounds.
• Tyrosinase enzyme exhibits potential for phenolic compound detection due to its catalytic activity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel biocomposite biosensor for effective detection of phenolic compounds.
• To investigate the stability and bioactivity of tyrosinase within a graphite-epoxy resin matrix.
• To optimize biosensing performance for phenolic compound quantification.

Main Methods:

• Incorporation of tyrosinase enzyme into a graphite-epoxy resin matrix to create a biocomposite.
• Characterization of the biocomposite's properties and enzyme bioactivity.
• Optimization of experimental variables for biosensing performance.
• Flow-injection analysis for the quantification of phenolic compounds.

Main Results:

• The biocomposite biosensor demonstrated effective detection of phenolic compounds.
• Tyrosinase retained its bioactivity within the epoxy resin environment.
• The biosensor exhibited a fast response time (25 s) and high stability.
• Flow-injection monitoring achieved a detection limit of 1 x 10(-6) mol L-1 with a relative standard deviation of 1.4%.

Conclusions:

• The developed tyrosinase-based biocomposite is a promising platform for phenolic compound biosensing.
• The renewable and rigid nature of the bioprobe facilitates convenient and reliable quantification.
• This biosensor offers a sensitive, rapid, and reproducible method for environmental and biological monitoring.