Reagentless enzyme electrode based on phenothiazine mediation of horseradish peroxidase for subnanomolar hydrogen peroxide determination

The development and characterization of a highly sensitive enzyme immobilized carbon based electrode for the determination of subnanomolar concentrations of hydrogen peroxide in aqueous samples is described. The biosensor consists of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) immobilized in solid carbon paste along with a suitable redox mediator. The latter allows the acceleration of the electroreduction of HRP in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Several phenothiazines as mediators are investigated in a comparative manner and with respect to dimethylferrocene using cyclic voltammetry and amperometry. Insolubilization of the HRP in the solid carbon paste is achieved by cross-linking the enzyme with glutaraldehyde and bovine serum albumin. Several experimental parameters such as pH, mediator and enzyme content are considered. The hydrogen peroxide determination is better carried out in 0.1 M acetate buffer, pH 4.5, by amperometry at an applied potential of 0.0 V versus Ag/AgCl, 3 M NaCl concentration and by using the phenothiazine base as redox mediator. The biosensor response is linear over the concentration range 2 nM-10 mu M with a detection limit of 1 nM. The linear range of the hydrogen peroxide response without a mediator in the biosensor is found between 2 and 40 mu M. The biosensor can be used for more than 180 measurements. Additional modification of the electrode by incorporation of Nafion SAC-13 microparticles in the solid carbon paste allows detection of concentrations of hydrogen peroxide as low as 0.1 nM.