An enzyme electrode for use in organic solvents
First Claim
1. An enzyme electrode for use in a solvent selected from the group consisting of non-aqueous and microaqueous solvents, said electrode consisting essentially of a conductor, a hydrophilic support associated with the conductor, and an enzyme retained at said support, said conductor, said support and said enzyme being arranged such that when said electrode is inserted into the solvent, the solvent first contacts the enzyme and a bioelectrochemical reaction catalysed by said enzyme is effectable in the solvent.
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Abstract
A method of determining an analyte in an organic or microaqueous solution involves the use of an enzyme electrode at which an enzyme is retained. The enzyme may be immobilised covalently at the electrode but is preferably retained at a hydrophilic support (4) which may be connected to an electrical conductor. Electrochemical detection of analytes in organic or microaqueous solvents using an enzyme electrode has several advantages over existing methods which employ aqueous solutions of analyte. For example compounds with low water solubilities may be detected, detection of a particular analyte may be made more selective by appropriate choice of solvent, the thermal stability of the enzyme may be enhanced and the enzymes may be readily retained at the electrode by virtue of their insolubility in the organic or microaqueous solvent.
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Citations
16 Claims
- 1. An enzyme electrode for use in a solvent selected from the group consisting of non-aqueous and microaqueous solvents, said electrode consisting essentially of a conductor, a hydrophilic support associated with the conductor, and an enzyme retained at said support, said conductor, said support and said enzyme being arranged such that when said electrode is inserted into the solvent, the solvent first contacts the enzyme and a bioelectrochemical reaction catalysed by said enzyme is effectable in the solvent.
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7. A method for carrying out a bioelectrochemical reaction in a solvent selected from the group consisting of non-aqueous and microaqueous solvents, said method comprising contacting an electrode having an enzyme retained thereon with said solvent containing a substrate for said enzyme and allowing said substrate to undergo reaction at the electrode under the influence of said enzyme wherein said solution contacts the enzyme.
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8. A method for the determination of an analyte present in a solution having a solvent selected from the group consisting of nonaqueous and microaqueous solvents said method comprising:
- introducing a non-aqueous or microaqueous solution to be analysed for said analyte into an electrochemical cell, said cell having an electrode at which an enzyme is retained; and
measuring an electrical response of said cell;
said response arising from a reaction involving said enzyme and said analyte and being relatable to the concentration of said analyte;
wherein said solution contacts said enzyme. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
- introducing a non-aqueous or microaqueous solution to be analysed for said analyte into an electrochemical cell, said cell having an electrode at which an enzyme is retained; and
- 15. An electrochemical cell comprising an electrode at which an enzyme is retained and containing a solvent selected from the group consisting of non-aqueous and microaqueous solvents whereby a bioelectrochemical reaction is effectable in the solvent, catalysed by said enzyme, wherein said solvent is in contact with the enzyme.
Specification