Flow-injection determination of catechol with a new tyrosinase/DNA biosensor1Presented in part at the VII International Conference on Flow Analysis, Piracicaba, Brazil, 1997.1

Electrochemical Sensing Systems for the Analysis of Catechol and Hydroquinone in the Aquatic Environments: A Critical Review

Because of their unique physical, chemical, and biological characteristics, conductive nanomaterials have a lot of potential for applications in materials science, energy storage, environmental science, biomedicine, sensors/biosensors, and other fields. Recent breakthroughs in the manufacture of carbon materials, conductive polymers, metals, and metal oxide nanoparticles based electrochemical sensors and biosensors for applications in environmental monitoring by detection of catechol (CC) and hydroquinone (HQ) are presented in this review. To achieve this goal, we first introduced recent works that discuss the effects of phenolic compounds and the need for accurate, inexpensive, and quick monitoring, and then we focused on the use of the most important applications of nanomaterials, such as carbon-based materials, metals, and metal oxides nanoparticles, and conductive polymers, to develop sensors to monitor catechol and hydroquinone. Finally, we identified challenges and limits in the field of sensors and biosensors, as well as possibilities and recommendations for developing the field for better future applications. Meanwhile, electrochemical sensors and biosensors for catechol and hydroquinone measurement and monitoring were highlighted and discussed particularly. This review, we feel, will aid in the promotion of nanomaterials for the development of innovative electrical sensors and nanodevices for environmental monitoring.

A biosensor based on gold nanoparticles, dihexadecylphosphate, and tyrosinase for the determination of catechol in natural water

In this work, a biosensor using a glassy carbon electrode modified with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and tyrosinase (Tyr) within a dihexadecylphosphate film is proposed. Cystamine and glutaraldehyde crosslinking agents were used as a support for Tyr immobilization. The proposed biosensor was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and cyclic voltammetry in the presence of catechol. The determination of catechol was carried out by amperometry and presented a linear concentration range from 2.5×10(-6) to 9.5×10(-5)molL(-1) with a detection limit of 1.7×10(-7)molL(-1). The developed biosensor showed good repeatability and stability. Moreover, this novel amperometric method was successfully applied in the determination of catechol in natural water samples. The results were in agreement with a 95% confidence level for those obtained using the official spectrophotometric method.

Flow analysis in Brazil: contributions over the last four decades

Timeline with the main contributions of Brazilian researchers to flow analysis.

Development of amperometric biosensors based on nanostructured tyrosinase-conducting polymer composite electrodes

Bio-composite coatings consisting of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and tyrosinase (Ty) were successfully electrodeposited on conventional size gold (Au) disk electrodes and microelectrode arrays using sinusoidal voltages. Electrochemical polymerization of the corresponding monomer was carried out in the presence of various Ty amounts in aqueous buffered solutions. The bio-composite coatings prepared using sinusoidal voltages and potentiostatic electrodeposition methods were compared in terms of morphology, electrochemical properties, and biocatalytic activity towards various analytes. The amperometric biosensors were tested in dopamine (DA) and catechol (CT) electroanalysis in aqueous buffered solutions. The analytical performance of the developed biosensors was investigated in terms of linear response range, detection limit, sensitivity, and repeatability. A semi-quantitative multi-analyte procedure for simultaneous determination of DA and CT was developed. The amperometric biosensor prepared using sinusoidal voltages showed much better analytical performance. The Au disk biosensor obtained by 50 mV alternating voltage amplitude displayed a linear response for DA concentrations ranging from 10 to 300 μM, with a detection limit of 4.18 μM.

Flow injection spectrofluorimetric study of the supramolecular interaction between beta-cyclodextrin and dequalinium chloride and its analytical application

The supramolecular interaction of dequalinium chloride (DQC) and beta-cyclodextrin has been studied by flow injection spectrofluorimetry. The results showed that beta-CD reacted with DQC to form a 1:1 host:guest complex with an apparent association constant of 4.99 x 10(2) L mol(-1). Based on the enhancement of the fluorescence intensity of DQC, a flow injection spectrofluorometric method for the determination of DQC in bulk aqueous solution in the presence of beta-CD was developed. The linear range was 0.0412-30.00 microg mL(-1). The detection limit was 12.3 ng mL(-1) with a sampling rate of 80 h(-1). There was no interference from the excipients normally used in tablets and serum compositions. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of DQC in tablets and serum.

Evaluation of a new biosensor-based mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) tissue homogenate: investigation of certain phenolic compounds and some inhibitor effects

A biosensor based on mushroom tissue homogenate for detecting some phenolic compounds (PCs) and usage of the biosensor for quantifying certain substances that inhibit the polyphenol oxidase activity in mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) tissue homogenate is described. The mushroom tissue homogenate was immobilized to the top of a Clark-type oxygen electrode with gelatin and glutaraldehyde. Optimization of the experimental parameters was done by buffer system, pH, buffer concentration, and temperature. Besides, the detection range of eight phenolic compounds were obtained with the help of the calibration graphs. Thermal stability, storage stability, and repeatability of the biosensor were also investigated. A linear response was observed from 20 x 10(-3) to 200 x 10(-3) mM phenol. The biosensor retained approximately 74% of its original activity after 25 days of storage at 4 degrees C. In repeatability studies, variation coefficient (C.V.) and standard deviation (S.D.) were calculated as 2.44% and +/-0.002, respectively. Inhibition studies revealed that the proposed biosensor was applicable for monitoring benzoic acid and thiourea in soft drinks and fruit juices.

Electrochemical oxidation of biological molecules at carbon paste electrodes pre-treated in guanine solutions

Carbon paste electrodes were modified in guanine solutions under an applied potential of 1.1 V and used for electrochemical detection of NADH, NADPH, uric acid and 8-oxoguanine. Detection limits were 3.3, 3.7, 6.6 and 2.0 x 10(-6) M, respectively, with sensitivity of 0.13, 0.10, 0.26 and 0.40 A mol(-1) l cm(-2), respectively. The electrodes showed high reproducibility and absence of surface poisoning effects. Good analytical performance was attributed to the formation of superficial dimer or trimers species of guanine during the modification process.

Electrochemical properties of Doyle catalyst immobilized on carbon paste in the presence of DNA

The electrochemical behaviour of Doyle catalyst, dirhodium(II) tetrakis [methyl-2-oxopyrrolidine-5(S)-carboxylate] (Rh2(5S-MEPY)4), immobilised in graphite powder was evaluated preparing the carbon paste electrode, as well as its electrochemical properties in the presence (DCDE) and absence (DCE) of DNA. In both cases, one redox couple at 0.35 V vs. SCE in 0.5 mol l(-1) KCl solution at pH 7 and 10 mV s(-1) was observed. The resolution of the peak current in the voltammetric studies and other electrochemical properties were improved when the Doyle catalyst was immobilised in the presence of DNA. The estimated rate constants were of 17 and 26 s(-1) for a scan rate of 1 V s(-1) for DCE and DCDE, respectively. Furthermore, the interaction between rhodium carboxylates and electrolytes become more evident, suggesting a good hydrophilic and conductor character of this biopolymer.