Immobilization of glucose oxidase on reagentless ferrocene-containing polythiophene derivative and its glucose sensing application

Redox Mediators in Homogeneous Co-electrocatalysis

Homogeneous electrocatalysis has been well studied over the past several decades for the conversion of small molecules to useful products for green energy applications or as chemical feedstocks. However, in order for these catalyst systems to be used in industrial applications, their activity and stability must be improved. In naturally occurring enzymes, redox equivalents (electrons, often in a concerted manner with protons) are delivered to enzyme active sites by small molecules known as redox mediators (RMs). Inspired by this, co-electrocatalytic systems with homogeneous catalysts and RMs have been developed for the conversion of alcohols, nitrogen, unsaturated organic substrates, oxygen, and carbon dioxide. In these systems, the RMs have been shown to both increase the activity of the catalyst and shift selectivity to more desired products by altering catalytic cycles and/or avoiding high-energy intermediates. However, the area is currently underdeveloped and requires additional fundamental advancements in order to become a more general strategy. Here, we summarize the recent examples of homogeneous co-electrocatalysis and discuss possible future directions for the field.

Controlled growth of redox polymer network on single enzyme molecule for stable and sensitive enzyme electrode

The electrochemical applications of enzymes are often hampered by poor enzyme stability and low electron conductivity. In this work, a novel enzyme nanogel based on atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) has been developed for highly sensitive detection of glucose based on ferrocene (Fc) embedded in crosslinked polymer network nanogel. Enzyme surfaces are successively modified with Br initiator, and then in situ atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) was performed to build up crosslinked polyacrylamide network. The resulting single enzyme nanogel (ATRP-SEG) is uniform in size fairly. ATRP-SEG reveals bi-phasic inactivation, and the half-life of stable ATRP-SEG after 18-day incubation at 50 °C is 47 days, which is 197 times longer than that of free Gox (5.7 h). By introducing a ferrocene (Fc) containing redox polymer, poly(acrylamide-co-vinylferrocene), the half-life of Fc-ATRP-SEG after 18-day incubation at 50 °C is 49 days. Fc-ATRP-SEG is used for preparation of glucose-sensing electrode, and the sensitivity of Fc-ATRP-SEG electrode is 111 μA cm^-2 mM^-1, which is 366 and 1270 times higher than those of free GOx (0.303 μA cm^-2 mM^-1) and ATRP-SEG (0.0874 μA cm^-2 mM^-1), respectively. Fc-ATRP-SEG electrode maintained 90% of initial current density under 4 °C storage condition and repetitive usages every day for 7 days. Even the electrode repeatedly used in continuous harsh condition (250 rpm, room temperature), the current density maintained 96% after 12 h incubation at operational condition.

Functionalization of Glucose Oxidase in Organic Solvent: Towards Direct Electrical Communication across Enzyme-Electrode Interface

Enzymatic biosensors based on glucose oxidase has been proven to be one of the effective strategies for the detection of glucose and contributed to health improvements. Therefore, research and debates to date are ongoing in an attempt to find the most effective way to detect this analyte using this enzyme as the recognition center. The 3rd generation biosensors using direct electron transfer (DET) type enzymes are a great way towards practical devices. In this work, we developed a simple method for the functionalization of glucose oxidase with redoxable ferrocene groups in chloroform. The enzyme retained its activity after storage in this organic solvent and after the functionalization procedures. This enzyme functionalization strategy was employed to develop the biosensing monolayer-based platforms for the detection of glucose utilizing the quasi-DET mechanism. As a result of an electrochemical regeneration of the catalytic center, the formation of harmful H₂O₂ is minimized during enzymatic electrocatalysis.

Total volatile basic nitrogen and trimethylamine in muscle foods: Potential formation pathways and effects on human health

The use of total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) as a quality parameter for fish is rapidly growing to include other types of meat. Investigations of meat quality have recently focused on TVB-N as an index of freshness, but little is known on the biochemical pathways involved in its generation. Furthermore, TVB-N and methylated amines have been reported to exert deterimental health effects, but the relationship between these compounds and human health has not been critically reviewed. Here, literature on the formative pathways of TVB-N has been reviewed in depth. The association of methylated amines and human health has been critically evaluated. Interventions to mitigate the effects of TVB-N on human health are discussed. TVB-N levels in meat can be influenced by the diet of an animal, which calls for careful consideration when using TVB-N thresholds for regulatory purposes. Bacterial contamination and temperature abuse contribute to significant levels of post-mortem TVB-N increases. Therefore, controlling spoilage factors through a good level of hygiene during processing and preservation techniques may contribute to a substantial reduction of TVB-N. Trimethylamine (TMA) constitutes a significant part of TVB-N. TMA and trimethylamine oxide (TMA-N-O) have been related to the pathogenesis of noncommunicable diseases, including atherosclerosis, cancers, and diabetes. Proposed methods for mitigation of TMA and TMA-N-O accumulation are discussed, which include a reduction in their daily dietary intake, control of internal production pathways by targeting gut microbiota, and inhibition of flavin monooxygenase 3 enzymes. The levels of TMA and TMA-N-O have significant health effects, and this should, therefore, be considered when evaluating meat quality and acceptability. Agreed international values for TVB-N and TMA in meat products are required. The role of feed, gut microbiota, and translocation of methylated amines to muscles in farmed animals requires further investigation.

Reduced graphene oxide doping with nanometer-sized ferrocene moieties - New active material for glucose redox sensors

Herein, we present that the reduced graphene oxide (rGO) doped with nanometer-sized ferrocene moieties is a new, excellent active material for redox sensors. Two distinct approaches were utilized for the modification of rGO. The first method was based on the covalent decoration of rGO via the addition of azomethine ylide generated from the ferrocenecarboxaldehyde oxime. The second approach utilized the adsorption of 1,1'-ferrocenedicarboxylic acid on the graphene sheet via the π-π stacking. The morphology of the synthesized graphene materials was studied by application of microscopic techniques, whereas the Raman data allowed the characteristics of the tested materials in terms of their structural properties. The tested graphene materials doped with ferrocene moieties were used as a bioactive platform for glucose oxidase (GOx) immobilization. The enzyme was immobilized onto the rGO materials in two ways: (i) using a crosslinking agent - glutaraldehyde (GA) and (ii) by formation of the amide bonds between carboxylic groups of rGO-Fc(COOH)₂ and amine groups from enzyme. Ferrocene moieties present at the graphene surface play the role of mediator in the electron transfer between the redox center of GOx and the electrode surface. The functionality of the constructed biosensors has been tested on real samples. The results of the recovery rates showed a satisfying degree of accuracy toward determination of glucose concentration. Examination of the potential interfering species has demonstrated favorable sensitivity and selectivity of the designed biosensor for the detection of glucose.

A Urea Potentiometric Biosensor Based on a Thiophene Copolymer

A potentiometric enzyme biosensor is a convenient detector for quantification of urea concentrations in industrial processes, or for monitoring patients with diabetes, kidney damage or liver malfunction. In this work, poly(3-hexylthiophene-co-3-thiopheneacetic acid) (P(3HT-co-3TAA)) was chemically synthesized, characterized and spin-coated onto conductive indium tin oxide (ITO) glass electrodes. Urease (Urs) was covalently attached to the smooth surface of this copolymer via carbodiimide coupling. The electrochemical behavior and stability of the modified Urs/P(3HT-co-3TAA)/ITO glass electrode were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, and the bound enzyme activity was confirmed by spectrophotometry. Potentiometric response studies indicated that this electrode could determine the concentration of urea in aqueous solutions, with a quasi-Nernstian response up to about 5 mM. No attempt was made to optimize the response speed; full equilibration occurred after 10 min, but the half-time for response was typically <1 min.

Synthesis of redox polymer nanobeads and nanocomposites for glucose biosensors

Redox polymer nanobeads of branched polyethylenimine binding with ferrocene (BPEI-Fc) were synthesized using a simple chemical process. The functionality and morphology of the redox polymer nanobeads were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). This hydrophilic redox nanomaterial could be mixed with glucose oxidase (GOx) for drop-coating on a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) for glucose sensing application. Electrochemical properties of the BPEI-Fc/GOx/SPCE prepared under different conditions were studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV). On the basis of these CV results, the synthetic condition of the BPEI-Fc/GOx/SPCE could be optimized. By incorporating conductive poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), the performance of a redox polymer nanobead–based enzyme electrode could be further improved. The influence of PEDOT:PSS on the nanocomposite enzyme electrode was discussed from the aspects of the apparent electron diffusion coefficient (D(app)) and the charge transfer resistance (R(ct)). The glucose-sensing sensitivity of the BPEI-Fc/PEDOT:PSS/GOx/SPCE is calculated to be 66 μA mM(–1) cm(–2), which is 2.5 times higher than that without PEDOT:PSS. The apparent Michaelis constant (K(M)(app)) of the BPEI-Fc/PEDOT:PSS/GOx/SPCE estimated by the Lineweaver–Burk plot is 2.4 mM, which is much lower than that of BPEI-Fc/GOx/SPCE (11.2 mM). This implies that the BPEI-Fc/PEDOT:PSS/GOx/SPCE can catalytically oxidize glucose in a more efficient way. The interference test was carried out by injection of glucose and three common interferences: ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine (DA), and uric acid (UA) at physiological levels. The interferences of DA (4.2%) and AA (7.8%) are acceptable and the current response to UA (1.6%) is negligible, compared to the current response to glucose.

Development of an avidin sensor based on the poly(methoxy amino-β-styryl terthiophene)-coated glassy carbon electrode

In this study, a simple and direct biosensor was proposed, which was based on biotin immobilized onto a conducting polymer-coated electrode, for the determination of avidin, a highly stable glycoprotein found in egg whites. Biotin was immobilized onto the electrode by covalent coupling to the primary amine group on poly-3′-(2-methoxy-5-amino-β-styryl)-(2,2′:5′,2″-terthiophene) (PMAST), and the biotin–avidin interaction was monitored by square-wave voltammetry. Incubation of the PMAST/biotin-modified coated electrode with avidin in a phosphate-buffered saline solution caused a significant change to its square-wave voltammogram, which was explained by the binding of avidin by biotin, and resulted in restricted ion transfer to and from the conducting polymer. This change was then utilized to determine avidin. Importantly, we found a linear relationship for the avidin sensor in the range of 4 × 10−14 to 3 × 10−4 mol/L, and the detection limit was determined to be approximately 10−14 mol/L.

Direct electron transfer from glucose oxidase immobilized on polyphenanthroline-modified glassy carbon electrode

This study reports direct electron transfer (DET) from immobilized glucose oxidase (GOx) via grafted and electropolymerized 1,10-phenanthroline monohydrate (PMH). The layer of poly-1,10-phenanthroline (PPMH) was gained via electrochemical deposition, which was used to create the PPMH-modified GC-electrode (PPMH/GC-electrode). Further, the GOx was immobilized on the PPMH/GC-electrode. The effect of surface-modification by the PPMH on the electron-transfer between enzyme and electrode-surface and some other electrochemical/analytical-parameters of newly designed enzymatic-electrode were evaluated. The PPMH/GC-electrode showed superior DET to/from flavine adenine dinucleotide cofactor of GOx, while some redox-compounds including ferrocene and K(3)[Fe(CN)(6)] were completely electrochemically inactive on the PPMH/GC-electrode. It was also found that the resulting GOx/PPMH/GC-electrode functioned as a "direct response type" glucose-biosensor. The biosensor showed excellent selectivity towards glucose and demonstrated good operational-stability. According to our best knowledge, this study is the first scientific report on electrochemical-polymerization of PMH on the GC-electrode in non-aqueous media followed by its application in the design of glucose-biosensor.

Virus-PEDOT nanowires for biosensing

The separate fields of conducting polymer-based electrochemical sensors and virus-based molecular recognition offer numerous advantages for biosensing. Grafting M13 bacteriophage into an array of poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) nanowires generated hybrids of conducting polymers and viruses. The virus incorporation into the polymeric backbone of PEDOT occurs during electropolymerization via lithographically patterned nanowire electrodeposition. The resultant arrays of virus-PEDOT nanowires enable real-time, reagent-free electrochemical biosensing of analytes in physiologically relevant buffers.