Direct electrochemistry of Phanerochaete chrysosporium cellobiose dehydrogenase covalently attached onto gold nanoparticle modified solid gold electrodes

Advanced Electroanalysis for Electrosynthesis

Electrosynthesis is a popular, environmentally friendly substitute for conventional organic methods. It involves using charge transfer to stimulate chemical reactions through the application of a potential or current between two electrodes. In addition to electrode materials and the type of reactor employed, the strategies for controlling potential and current have an impact on the yields, product distribution, and reaction mechanism. In this Review, recent advances related to electroanalysis applied in electrosynthesis were discussed. The first part of this study acts as a guide that emphasizes the foundations of electrosynthesis. These essentials include instrumentation, electrode selection, cell design, and electrosynthesis methodologies. Then, advances in electroanalytical techniques applied in organic, enzymatic, and microbial electrosynthesis are illustrated with specific cases studied in recent literature. To conclude, a discussion of future possibilities that intend to advance the academic and industrial areas is presented.

Reagentless D-Tagatose Biosensors Based on the Oriented Immobilization of Fructose Dehydrogenase onto Coated Gold Nanoparticles- or Reduced Graphene Oxide-Modified Surfaces: Application in a Prototype Bioreactor

As electrode nanomaterials, thermally reduced graphene oxide (TRGO) and modified gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were used to design bioelectrocatalytic systems for reliable D-tagatose monitoring in a long-acting bioreactor where the valuable sweetener D-tagatose was enzymatically produced from a dairy by-product D-galactose. For this goal D-fructose dehydrogenase (FDH) from Gluconobacter industrius immobilized on these electrode nanomaterials by forming three amperometric biosensors: AuNPs coated with 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (AuNP/4-MBA/FDH) or AuNPs coated with 4-aminothiophenol (AuNP/PATP/FDH) monolayer, and a layer of TRGO on graphite (TRGO/FDH) were created. The immobilized FDH due to changes in conformation and spatial orientation onto proposed electrode surfaces catalyzes a direct D-tagatose oxidation reaction. The highest sensitivity for D-tagatose of 0.03 ± 0.002 μA mM⁻¹cm⁻² was achieved using TRGO/FDH. The TRGO/FDH was applied in a prototype bioreactor for the quantitative evaluation of bioconversion of D-galactose into D-tagatose by L-arabinose isomerase. The correlation coefficient between two independent analyses of the bioconversion mixture: spectrophotometric and by the biosensor was 0.9974. The investigation of selectivity showed that the biosensor was not active towards D-galactose as a substrate. Operational stability of the biosensor indicated that detection of D-tagatose could be performed during six hours without loss of sensitivity.

Amperometric Biosensors Based on Direct Electron Transfer Enzymes

The accurate determination of analyte concentrations with selective, fast, and robust methods is the key for process control, product analysis, environmental compliance, and medical applications. Enzyme-based biosensors meet these requirements to a high degree and can be operated with simple, cost efficient, and easy to use devices. This review focuses on enzymes capable of direct electron transfer (DET) to electrodes and also the electrode materials which can enable or enhance the DET type bioelectrocatalysis. It presents amperometric biosensors for the quantification of important medical, technical, and environmental analytes and it carves out the requirements for enzymes and electrode materials in DET-based third generation biosensors. This review critically surveys enzymes and biosensors for which DET has been reported. Single- or multi-cofactor enzymes featuring copper centers, hemes, FAD, FMN, or PQQ as prosthetic groups as well as fusion enzymes are presented. Nanomaterials, nanostructured electrodes, chemical surface modifications, and protein immobilization strategies are reviewed for their ability to support direct electrochemistry of enzymes. The combination of both biosensor elements-enzymes and electrodes-is evaluated by comparison of substrate specificity, current density, sensitivity, and the range of detection.

Direct Electrochemical Enzyme Electron Transfer on Electrodes Modified by Self-Assembled Molecular Monolayers

Self-assembled molecular monolayers (SAMs) have long been recognized as crucial “bridges” between redox enzymes and solid electrode surfaces, on which the enzymes undergo direct electron transfer (DET)—for example, in enzymatic biofuel cells (EBFCs) and biosensors. SAMs possess a wide range of terminal groups that enable productive enzyme adsorption and fine-tuning in favorable orientations on the electrode. The tunneling distance and SAM chain length, and the contacting terminal SAM groups, are the most significant controlling factors in DET-type bioelectrocatalysis. In particular, SAM-modified nanostructured electrode materials have recently been extensively explored to improve the catalytic activity and stability of redox proteins immobilized on electrochemical surfaces. In this report, we present an overview of recent investigations of electrochemical enzyme DET processes on SAMs with a focus on single-crystal and nanoporous gold electrodes. Specifically, we consider the preparation and characterization methods of SAMs, as well as SAM applications in promoting interfacial electrochemical electron transfer of redox proteins and enzymes. The strategic selection of SAMs to accord with the properties of the core redox protein/enzymes is also highlighted.

Direct electron transfer-type bioelectrocatalysis of FAD-dependent glucose dehydrogenase using porous gold electrodes and enzymatically implanted platinum nanoclusters

The direct electron transfer (DET)-type bioelectrocatalysis of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)-dependent glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) from Aspergillus terreus (AtGDH) was carried out using porous gold (Au) electrodes and enzymatically implanted platinum nanoclusters (PtNCs). The porous Au electrodes were prepared by anodization of planar Au electrodes in a phosphate buffer containing glucose as a reductant. Moreover, PtNCs were generated into AtGDH by an enzymatic reduction of hexachloroplatinate (IV) ion. The modification was confirmed by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analyses. The AtGDH-adsorbed porous Au electrode showed a DET-type bioelectrocatalytic wave both in the presence and absence of PtNCs; however, the current density with PtNCs (~1 mA cm^-2 at 0 V vs. Ag|AgCl|sat. KCl) was considerably higher than that without PtNCs. The kinetic and thermodynamic analysis of the steady-state catalytic wave indicated that inner PtNCs shortened the distance between the catalytic center of AtGDH (=FAD) and the conductive material, and improved the heterogeneous electron transfer kinetics between them.

Discovery of a novel quinohemoprotein from a eukaryote and its application in electrochemical devices

Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ)-dependent glucose dehydrogenase is one of the extensively studied sugar-oxidizing enzymes used as a biocatalyst for biosensors and biofuel cells. A novel pyranose dehydrogenase (CcPDH) derived from the basidiomycete Coprinopsis cinerea is the first discovered eukaryotic PQQ-dependent enzyme. This enzyme carries a b-type cytochrome domain that is homologous to the cytochrome domain of cellobiose dehydrogenase (CDH); thus, CcPDH is a quinohemoprotein. CcPDH catalyzes the oxidation of various aldose sugars and shows significant activity toward the reverse-chair conformation of pyranoses. Interdomain electron transfer occurs in CcPDH similar to CDH, from the PQQ cofactor in the catalytic domain to the heme b in the cytochrome domain. This enzyme is able to direct electrical communication with electrodes, without artificial electron mediators, thus allowing direct electron transfer (DET)-type bioelectrocatalysis. In this review, we briefly describe recent progress in research on the biochemical discovery of CcPDH and the development of (bio)electrochemical applications (an amperometric biosensor) based on DET reactions.

Cellobiose dehydrogenase: Bioelectrochemical insights and applications

Cellobiose dehydrogenase (CDH) is a flavocytochrome with a history of bioelectrochemical research dating back to 1992. During the years, it has been shown to be capable of mediated electron transfer (MET) and direct electron transfer (DET) to a variety of electrodes. This versatility of CDH originates from the separation of the catalytic flavodehydrogenase domain and the electron transferring cytochrome domain. This uncoupling of the catalytic reaction from the electron transfer process allows the application of CDH on many different electrode materials and surfaces, where it shows robust DET. Recent X-ray diffraction and small angle scattering studies provided insights into the structure of CDH and its domain mobility, which can change between a closed-state and an open-state conformation. This structural information verifies the electron transfer mechanism of CDH that was initially established by bioelectrochemical methods. A combination of DET and MET experiments has been used to investigate the catalytic mechanism and the electron transfer process of CDH and to deduce a protein structure comprising of mobile domains. Even more, electrochemical methods have been used to study the redox potentials of the FAD and the haem b cofactors of CDH or the electron transfer rates. These electrochemical experiments, their results and the application of the characterised CDHs in biosensors, biofuel cells and biosupercapacitors are combined with biochemical and structural data to provide a thorough overview on CDH as versatile bioelectrocatalyst.

Impact of molecular linker size on physicochemical properties of assembled gold nanoparticle mono-/multi-layers and their applicability for functional binding of biomolecules

In this work the impact of molecular inter-linker size on gold nanoparticle (AuNP) mono-/multilayer structural properties, density and homogeneity has been investigated. These characteristics are of great importance for functional binding of biomolecules. Positively charged high or low molecular weight inter-linkers, poly-L-lysine (PLL) or N-(6-mercapto)hexylpyridinium (MHP), were used to attach negatively charged AuNPs on a planar gold surface as well as to further interlink into a multilayer structure via layer-by-layer deposition. The inter-particle interaction within the assembled AuNP films was adjusted by the ionic strength in the AuNPs dispersions. The AuNP layer density and structural/viscoelastic properties were evaluated by the quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) technique. The validity of the commercial Voigt model, specifically developed for quantitative QCM-D data analysis of homogeneous viscoelastic films, was evaluated by a model independent analysis when comparing the assembled AuNP films with a homogeneous layer of a mucin from bovine submaxillary glands. Both AuNP mono- and multilayers, attached/interlinked via long flexible PLL molecules assembled to denser and more soft/viscous structures compared to those interlinked by short MHP compounds. Thus, PLL-interlinked AuNP mono-/multilayer structures were further investigated as a platform for laccase enzyme functional adsorption via qualitative assessment of bioelectrochemical characteristics of the enzyme.

Direct Electron Transfer of Enzymes Facilitated by Cytochromes

The direct electron transfer (DET) of enzymes has been utilized to develop biosensors and enzymatic biofuel cells on micro- and nanostructured electrodes. Whereas some enzymes exhibit direct electron transfer between their active-site cofactor and an electrode, other oxidoreductases depend on acquired cytochrome domains or cytochrome subunits as built-in redox mediators. The physiological function of these cytochromes is to transfer electrons between the active-site cofactor and a redox partner protein. The exchange of the natural electron acceptor/donor by an electrode has been demonstrated for several cytochrome carrying oxidoreductases. These multi-cofactor enzymes have been applied in third generation biosensors to detect glucose, lactate, and other analytes. This review investigates and classifies oxidoreductases with a cytochrome domain, enzyme complexes with a cytochrome subunit, and covers designed cytochrome fusion enzymes. The structurally and electrochemically best characterized proponents from each enzyme class carrying a cytochrome, that is, flavoenzymes, quinoenzymes, molybdenum-cofactor enzymes, iron-sulfur cluster enzymes, and multi-haem enzymes, are featured, and their biochemical, kinetic, and electrochemical properties are compared. The cytochromes molecular and functional properties as well as their contribution to the interdomain electron transfer (IET, between active-site and cytochrome) and DET (between cytochrome and electrode) with regard to the achieved current density is discussed. Protein design strategies for cytochrome-fused enzymes are reviewed and the limiting factors as well as strategies to overcome them are outlined.

Studying direct electron transfer by site-directed immobilization of cellobiose dehydrogenase

Covalent coupling between a surface exposed cysteine residue and maleimide groups was used to immobilize variants of Myriococcum thermophilum cellobiose dehydrogenase (MtCDH) at multiwall carbon nanotube electrodes. By introducing individual cysteine residues at particular places on the surface of the flavodehydrogenase domain of the flavocytochrome we are able to immobilize the different variants in different orientations. Our results show that direct electron transfer (DET) occurs exclusively through the haem b cofactor and that the redox potential of the haem is unaffected by the orientation of the enzyme. Electron transfer between the haem and the electrode is fast in all cases and at high glucose concentrations the catalytic currents are limited by the rate of inter-domain electron transfer (IET) between the FAD and the haem. Using ferrocene carboxylic acid as a mediator we find that the total amount of immobilized enzyme is 4 to 5 times greater than the amount of enzyme that participates in DET. The role of IET in the overall DET catalysed oxidation was also demonstrated by the effects of changing Ca2+ concentration and by proteolytic cleavage of the cytochrome domain on the DET and MET currents.

Highly Sensitive Membraneless Fructose Biosensor Based on Fructose Dehydrogenase Immobilized onto Aryl Thiol Modified Highly Porous Gold Electrode: Characterization and Application in Food Samples

In this paper we present a new method to electrodeposit highly porous gold (h-PG) onto a polycrystalline solid gold electrode without any template. The electrodeposition is carried out by first cycling the electrode potential between +0.8 and 0 V in 10 mM HAuCl₄ with 2.5 M NH₄Cl and then applying a negative potential for the production of hydrogen bubbles at the electrode surface. After that the modified electrode was characterized in sulfuric acid to estimate the real surface area ( A_real) to be close to 24 cm², which is roughly 300 times higher compared to the bare gold electrodes (0.08 cm²). The electrode was further incubated overnight with three different thiols (4-mercaptobenzoic acid (4-MBA), 4-mercaptophenol (4-MPh), and 4-aminothiophenol (4-APh)) in order to produce differently charged self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on the electrode surface. Finally a fructose dehydrogenase (FDH) solution was drop-cast onto the electrodes. All the modified electrodes were investigated by cyclic voltammetry both under nonturnover and turnover conditions. The FDH/4-MPh/h-PG exhibited two couples of redox peaks for the heme c₁ and heme c₂ of the cytochrome domain of FDH and as well as a well pronounced catalytic current density (about 1000 μA cm^-2 in the presence of 10 mM fructose) due to the presence of -OH groups on the electrode surface, which stabilize and orientate the enzyme layer on the electrode surface. The FDH/4-MPh/h-PG based electrode showed the best analytical performance with an excellent stability (90% retained activity over 90 days), a detection limit of 0.3 μM fructose, a linear range between 0.05 and 5 mM, and a sensitivity of 175 ± 15 μA cm^-2 mM^-1. These properties were favorably compared with other fructose biosensors reported in the literature. The biosensor was successively tested to quantify the fructose content in food and beverage samples. No significant interference present in the sample matrixes was observed.

Nanostructured Porous Electrodes by the Anodization of Gold for an Application as Scaffolds in Direct-electron-transfer-type Bioelectrocatalysis

In this study, nanostructured porous gold electrodes were prepared by the anodization of gold in the presence of oxalic acid or glucose as a reductant, and applied as scaffolds for direct electron transfer (DET)-type bioelectrocatalysis. Gold cations generated in the anodization seem to be reduced by the reductant to construct a porous gold structure. The DET-type performance of the electrode was examined using two DET-type model enzymes, bilirubin oxidase (BOD) and peroxidase (POD), for the four-electron reduction of dioxygen and the two-electron reduction of peroxide, respectively. BOD and POD on the anodized porous gold electrodes exhibited well-defined sigmoidal steady-state waves corresponding to DET-type bioelectrocatalysis. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed sponge-like pores on the electrodes. The anodized porous gold electrodes demonstrate promise as scaffolds for DET-type bioelectrocatalysis.

A Third Generation Glucose Biosensor Based on Cellobiose Dehydrogenase Immobilized on a Glassy Carbon Electrode Decorated with Electrodeposited Gold Nanoparticles: Characterization and Application in Human Saliva

Efficient direct electron transfer (DET) between a cellobiose dehydrogenase mutant from Corynascus thermophilus (CtCDH C291Y) and a novel glassy carbon (GC)-modified electrode, obtained by direct electrodeposition of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) was realized. The electrode was further modified with a mixed self-assembled monolayer of 4-aminothiophenol (4-APh) and 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (4-MBA), by using glutaraldehyde (GA) as cross-linking agent. The CtCDH C291Y/GA/4-APh,4-MBA/AuNPs/GC platform showed an apparent heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant (ks) of 19.4 ± 0.6 s-1, with an enhanced theoretical and real enzyme surface coverage (Γtheor and Γreal) of 5287 ± 152 pmol cm-2 and 27 ± 2 pmol cm-2, respectively. The modified electrode was successively used as glucose biosensor exhibiting a detection limit of 6.2 μM, an extended linear range from 0.02 to 30 mM, a sensitivity of 3.1 ± 0.1 μA mM-1 cm-2 (R2 = 0.995), excellent stability and good selectivity. These performances compared favourably with other glucose biosensors reported in the literature. Finally, the biosensor was tested to quantify the glucose content in human saliva samples with successful results in terms of both recovery and correlation with glucose blood levels, allowing further considerations on the development of non-invasive glucose monitoring devices.

Direct Electron Transfer of Cellobiose Dehydrogenase on Positively Charged Polyethyleneimine Gold Nanoparticles

Efficient conjugation between biomolecules and electrode materials is one of the main challenges in the field of biosensors. Cellobiose dehydrogenase (CDH) is a monomeric enzyme, which consists of two separate domains: one catalytic dehydrogenase domain (DH_CDH ) carrying strongly bound flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) in the active site and a cytochrome domain (CYT_CDH ) carrying a b-type heme connected by a flexible linker region. Herein, we report on the development of a lactose biosensor, based on direct electron transfer (DET) from CDH from Phanerochaete sordida (PsCDH) electrostatically attached onto polyethyleneimine-stabilized gold nanoparticles (PEI@AuNPs) used to cover a conventional polycrystalline solid gold disk electrode. PEI@AuNPs were synthesized in aqueous solution using PEI as reducing agent for Au^III and as stabilizer for the nanoparticles. The heterogeneous electron-transfer (ET) rate (k_s ) for the redox reaction of immobilized PsCDH at the modified electrodes was calculated based on the Laviron theory and was found to be (39.6±2.5) s^-1 . The proposed lactose biosensor exhibits good long term stability as well as high and reproducible sensitivity to lactose with a response time less than 5 s and a linear range from 1 to 100 μm.

Direct electron transfer of Phanerochaete chrysosporium cellobiose dehydrogenase at platinum and palladium nanoparticles decorated carbon nanotubes modified electrodes

In the present work, platinum and palladium nanoparticles (PtNPs and PdNPs) were decorated on the surface of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by a simple thermal decomposition method. The prepared nanohybrids, PtNPs-MWCNTs and PdNPs-MWCNTs, were cast on the surface of spectrographic graphite electrodes and then Phanerochaete chrysosporium cellobiose dehydrogenase (PcCDH) was adsorbed on the modified layer. Direct electron transfer between PcCDH and the nanostructured modified electrodes was studied using flow injection amperometry and cyclic voltammetry. The maximum current responses (Imax) and the apparent Michaelis-Menten constants (K) for the different PcCDH modified electrodes were calculated by fitting the data to the Michaelis-Menten equation and compared. The sensitivity towards lactose was 3.07 and 3.28 μA mM(-1) at the PcCDH/PtNPs-MWCNTs/SPGE and PcCDH/PdNPs-MWCNTs/SPGE electrodes, respectively, which were higher than those measured at the PcCDH/MWCNTs/SPGE (2.60 μA mM(-1)) and PcCDH/SPGE (0.92 μA mM(-1)). The modified electrodes were additionally tested as bioanodes for biofuel cell applications.

Spectroscopic Observation of Calcium-Induced Reorientation of Cellobiose Dehydrogenase Immobilized on Electrodes and its Effect on Electrocatalytic Activity

Cellobiose dehydrogenase catalyzes the oxidation of various carbohydrates and is considered as a possible anode catalyst in biofuel cells. It has been shown that the catalytic performance of this enzyme immobilized on electrodes can be increased by presence of calcium ions. To get insight into the Ca(2+) -induced changes in the immobilized enzyme we employ surface-enhanced vibrational (SERR and SEIRA) spectroscopy together with electrochemistry. Upon addition of Ca(2+) ions electrochemical measurements show a shift of the catalytic turnover signal to more negative potentials while SERR measurements reveal an offset between the potential of heme reduction and catalytic current. Comparing SERR and SEIRA data we propose that binding of Ca(2+) to the heme induces protein reorientation in a way that the electron transfer pathway of the catalytic FAD center to the electrode can bypass the heme cofactor, resulting in catalytic activity at more negative potentials.

Characterization of a novel PQQ-dependent quinohemoprotein pyranose dehydrogenase from Coprinopsis cinerea classified into auxiliary activities family 12 in carbohydrate-active enzymes

The basidiomycete Coprinopsis cinerea contains a quinohemoprotein (CcPDH named as CcSDH in our previous paper), which is a new type of pyrroloquinoline-quinone (PQQ)-dependent pyranose dehydrogenase and is the first found among all eukaryotes. This enzyme has a three-domain structure consisting of an N-terminal heme b containing a cytochrome domain that is homologous to the cytochrome domain of cellobiose dehydrogenase (CDH; EC 1.1.99.18) from the wood-rotting basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium, a C-terminal family 1-type carbohydrate-binding module, and a novel central catalytic domain containing PQQ as a cofactor. Here, we describe the biochemical and electrochemical characterization of recombinant CcPDH. UV-vis and resonance Raman spectroscopic studies clearly reveal characteristics of a 6-coordinated low-spin heme b in both the ferric and ferrous states, as well as intramolecular electron transfer from the PQQ to heme b. Moreover, the formal potential of the heme was evaluated to be 130 mV vs. NHE by cyclic voltammetry. These results indicate that the cytochrome domain of CcPDH possesses similar biophysical properties to that in CDH. A comparison of the conformations of monosaccharides as substrates and the associated catalytic efficiency (k_cat/K_m) of CcPDH indicates that the enzyme prefers monosaccharides with equatorial C-2, C-3 hydroxyl groups and an axial C-4 hydroxyl group in the ¹C₄ chair conformation. Furthermore, a binding study shows a high binding affinity of CcPDH for cellulose, suggesting that CcPDH function is related to the enzymatic degradation of plant cell wall.

Carboxylated or aminated polyaniline-multiwalled carbon nanotubes nanohybrids for immobilization of cellobiose dehydrogenase on gold electrodes

Polymer-multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanohybrids, which differ in surface charge have been synthesized to study the bioelectrocatalysis of adsorbed cellobiose dehydrogenase (CDH) from Phanerochaete sordida on gold electrodes. To obtain negatively charged nanohybrids, poly(3-amino-4-methoxybenzoic acid-co-aniline) (P(AMB-A)) was covalently linked to the surface of MWCNTs while modification with p-phenylenediamine (PDA) converted the COOH-groups to positively charged amino groups. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) measurements verified the p-phenylenediamine (PDA) modification of the polymer-CNT nanohybrids. The positively charged nanohybrid MWCNT-P(AMB-A)-PDA promoted direct electron transfer (DET) of CDH to the electrode and bioelectrocatalysis of lactose was observed. Amperometric measurements gave an electrochemical response with KMapp = 8.89 mM and a current density of 410 nA/cm(2) (15 mM lactose). The catalytic response was tested at pH 3.5 and 4.5. Interference by ascorbic acid was not observed. The study proves that DET between the MWCNT-P(AMB-A)-PDA nanohybrids and CDH is efficient and allows the sensorial detection of lactose.

Effect of latent heat in boiling water on the synthesis of gold nanoparticles of different sizes by using the Turkevich method

The Turkevich method, involving the reduction of HAuCl4 with citrate in boiling water, allows the facile production of monodisperse, quasispherical gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Although, it is well-known that the size of the AuNPs obtained with the same recipe vary slightly (as little as approximately 4 nm), but noticeably, from one report to another, it has rarely been studied. The present work demonstrates that this size variation can be reconciled by the small, but noticeable, effect that the latent heat in boiling water has on the size of the AuNPs obtained by using the Turkevich method. The increase in latent heat during water boiling caused an approximately 3 nm reduction in the size of the as-prepared AuNPs; this reduction in size is mainly a result of accelerated nucleation driven by the extra heat. It was further demonstrated that, the heating temperature can be utilized as an additional measure to adjust the growth rate of AuNPs during the reduction of HAuCl4 with citrate in boiling water. Therefore, the latent heat of boiling solvents may provide one way to control nucleation and growth in the synthesis of monodisperse nanoparticles.

Self-powered wireless carbohydrate/oxygen sensitive biodevice based on radio signal transmission

Here for the first time, we detail self-contained (wireless and self-powered) biodevices with wireless signal transmission. Specifically, we demonstrate the operation of self-sustained carbohydrate and oxygen sensitive biodevices, consisting of a wireless electronic unit, radio transmitter and separate sensing bioelectrodes, supplied with electrical energy from a combined multi-enzyme fuel cell generating sufficient current at required voltage to power the electronics. A carbohydrate/oxygen enzymatic fuel cell was assembled by comparing the performance of a range of different bioelectrodes followed by selection of the most suitable, stable combination. Carbohydrates (viz. lactose for the demonstration) and oxygen were also chosen as bioanalytes, being important biomarkers, to demonstrate the operation of the self-contained biosensing device, employing enzyme-modified bioelectrodes to enable the actual sensing. A wireless electronic unit, consisting of a micropotentiostat, an energy harvesting module (voltage amplifier together with a capacitor), and a radio microchip, were designed to enable the biofuel cell to be used as a power supply for managing the sensing devices and for wireless data transmission. The electronic system used required current and voltages greater than 44 µA and 0.57 V, respectively to operate; which the biofuel cell was capable of providing, when placed in a carbohydrate and oxygen containing buffer. In addition, a USB based receiver and computer software were employed for proof-of concept tests of the developed biodevices. Operation of bench-top prototypes was demonstrated in buffers containing different concentrations of the analytes, showcasing that the variation in response of both carbohydrate and oxygen biosensors could be monitored wirelessly in real-time as analyte concentrations in buffers were changed, using only an enzymatic fuel cell as a power supply.

Immobilization of enzymes to silver island films for enhanced enzymatic activity

HYPOTHESIS

The performance of the enzyme-based biosensors depends on the enzymatic activity and the use of an appropriate technique for immobilization of enzymes. The incorporation of silver island films (SIFs) into the enzyme-based biosensors is expected to enhance the enzymatic activity and to increase the detectability of analytes of interest.

EXPERIMENTS

Two enzymes, β-galactosidase (β-Gal) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) were immobilized onto SIFs using the interactions of avidin-modified enzymes with (i) a monolayer of biotinylated bovine serum albumin (b-BSA) and/or (ii) a monolayer of biotinylated poly(ethylene-glycol)-amine (BEA molecular weight: 550-10,000Da). To confirm the effect of SIFs on enzymatic activity, two control surfaces (no silver) were also employed.

FINDINGS

No enhancement in enzymatic activity for β-Gal on all SIFs was observed, which was attributed to the inhibition of β-Gal activity due to direct interactions of β-Gal with SIFs. The AP activity on SIFs with BEA was significantly larger than that observed on SIFs with b-BSA, where a 300% increase in AP activity was observed as compared to control surfaces. These observations suggest that SIFs can significantly enhance AP activity, which could help improve the detection limits of ELISAs and immunoassays that employ AP.

Cellobiose dehydrogenase modified electrodes: advances by materials science and biochemical engineering

The flavocytochrome cellobiose dehydrogenase (CDH) is a versatile biorecognition element capable of detecting carbohydrates as well as quinones and catecholamines. In addition, it can be used as an anode biocatalyst for enzymatic biofuel cells to power miniaturised sensor-transmitter systems. Various electrode materials and designs have been tested in the past decade to utilize and enhance the direct electron transfer (DET) from the enzyme to the electrode. Additionally, mediated electron transfer (MET) approaches via soluble redox mediators and redox polymers have been pursued. Biosensors for cellobiose, lactose and glucose determination are based on CDH from different fungal producers, which show differences with respect to substrate specificity, pH optima, DET efficiency and surface binding affinity. Biosensors for the detection of quinones and catecholamines can use carbohydrates for analyte regeneration and signal amplification. This review discusses different approaches to enhance the sensitivity and selectivity of CDH-based biosensors, which focus on (1) more efficient DET on chemically modified or nanostructured electrodes, (2) the synthesis of custom-made redox polymers for higher MET currents and (3) the engineering of enzymes and reaction pathways. Combination of these strategies will enable the design of sensitive and selective CDH-based biosensors with reduced electrode size for the detection of analytes in continuous on-site and point-of-care applications.

Effect of deglycosylation of cellobiose dehydrogenases on the enhancement of direct electron transfer with electrodes

Cellobiose dehydrogenase (CDH) is a monomeric extracellular flavocytochrome composed of a catalytic dehydrogenase domain (DH(CDH)) containing flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), a cytochrome domain (CYT(CDH)) containing heme b, and a linker region connecting the two domains. In this work, the effect of deglycosylation on the electrochemical properties of CDH from Phanerochaete chrysosporium (PcCDH) and Ceriporiopsis subvermispora (CsCDH) is presented. All the glycosylated and deglycosylated enzymes show direct electron transfer (DET) between the CYT(CDH) and the electrode. Graphite electrodes modified with deglycosylated PcCDH (dPcCDH) and CsCDH (dCsCDH) have a 40-65% higher I(max) value in the presence of substrate than electrodes modified with their glycosylated counterparts. CsCDH trapped under a permselective membrane showed similar changes on gold electrodes protected by a thiol-based self-assembled monolayer (SAM), in contrast to PcCDH for which deglycosylation did not exhibit any different electrocatalytical response on SAM-modified gold electrodes. Glycosylated PcCDH was found to have a 30% bigger hydrodynamic radius than dPcCDH using dynamic light scattering. The basic bioelectrochemistry as well as the bioelectrocatalytic properties are presented.