Mediated Enzyme Electrode for the Determination of L-Glutamate

A Novel Amperometric Glutamate Biosensor Based on Glutamate Oxidase Adsorbed on Silicalite

In this work, we developed a new amperometric biosensor for glutamate detection using a typical method of glutamate oxidase (GlOx) immobilization via adsorption on silicalite particles. The disc platinum electrode (d = 0.4 mm) was used as the amperometric sensor. The procedure of biosensor preparation was optimized. The main parameters of modifying amperometric transducers with a silicalite layer were determined along with the procedure of GlOx adsorption on this layer. The biosensors based on GlOx adsorbed on silicalite demonstrated high sensitivity to glutamate. The linear range of detection was from 2.5 to 450 μM, and the limit of glutamate detection was 1 μM. It was shown that the proposed biosensors were characterized by good response reproducibility during hours of continuous work and operational stability for several days. The developed biosensors could be applied for determination of glutamate in real samples.

Re-evaluation of glutamic acid (E 620), sodium glutamate (E 621), potassium glutamate (E 622), calcium glutamate (E 623), ammonium glutamate (E 624) and magnesium glutamate (E 625) as food additives

The EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS) provides a scientific opinion re-evaluating the safety of glutamic acid-glutamates (E 620-625) when used as food additives. Glutamate is absorbed in the intestine and it is presystemically metabolised in the gut wall. No adverse effects were observed in the available short-term, subchronic, chronic, reproductive and developmental studies. The only effect observed was increased kidney weight and increased spleen weight; however, the increase in organ weight was not accompanied by adverse histopathological findings and, therefore, the increase in organ weight was not considered as an adverse effect. The Panel considered that glutamic acid-glutamates (E 620-625) did not raise concern with regards to genotoxicity. From a neurodevelopmental toxicity study, a no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of 3,200 mg monosodium glutamate/kg body weight (bw) per day could be identified. The Panel assessed the suitability of human data to be used for the derivation of a health-based guidance value. Although effects on humans were identified human data were not suitable due to the lack of dose-response data from which a dose without effect could be identified. Based on the NOAEL of 3,200 mg monosodium glutamate/kg bw per day from the neurodevelopmental toxicity study and applying the default uncertainty factor of 100, the Panel derived a group acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 30 mg/kg bw per day, expressed as glutamic acid, for glutamic acid and glutamates (E 620-625). The Panel noted that the exposure to glutamic acid and glutamates (E 620-625) exceeded not only the proposed ADI, but also doses associated with adverse effects in humans for some population groups.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN ELECTROCHEMICAL SENSORS FOR THE DETECTION OF NEUROTRANSMITTERS FOR APPLICATIONS IN BIOMEDICINE

Neurotransmitters are important biological molecules that are essential to many neurophysiological processes including memory, cognition, and behavioral states. The development of analytical methodologies to accurately detect neurotransmitters is of great importance in neurological and biological research. Specifically designed microelectrodes or microbiosensors have demonstrated potential for rapid, real-time measurements with high spatial resolution. Such devices can facilitate study of the role and mechanism of action of neurotransmitters and can find potential uses in biomedicine. This paper reviews the current status and recent advances in the development and application of electrochemical sensors for the detection of small-molecule neurotransmitters. Measurement challenges and opportunities of electroanalytical methods to advance study and understanding of neurotransmitters in various biological models and disease conditions are discussed.

A stable and selective electrochemical biosensor for the liver enzyme alanine aminotransferase (ALT)

An electrochemical method to determine alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity over its normal and elevated physiological range was developed based upon detection of L-glutamate at a glutamate oxidase-modified platinum electrode. Measurements were carried out in the presence of ALT co-substrates L-alanine and alpha-ketoglutarate and current response from either the oxidation of hydrogen peroxide or the re-oxidation of the mediator ferrocene carboxylic acid was employed. The enzyme electrode was tested over a 6-month period and found to retain 79% of its original activity towards ALT detection with >200 measurements performed over this time. Signals associated with interfering electroactive species (ascorbic acid and uric acid) were eliminated using background subtraction at a denatured glutamate oxidase enzyme electrode. The sensitivity of the device was found to be 0.845 nA U(-1) L ALT with t(90)=180 s, linear range 10-1000 U L(-1) and LOD of 3.29 U L(-1) using amperometry at E(app)=0.4 V vs. Ag/AgCl at 308 K (35 degrees C).

On-line monitoring of glucose, glutamate and glutamine during mammalian cell cultivations

Amperometric biosensors (based on rhodinised carbon electrodes) for glucose, glutamine and glutamate were constructed. The sensors were incorporated into a three cell parallel FIA system and used to monitor the three analytes on-line during two mammalian cell perfusion cultures. All measurements were made simultaneously from undiluted media sample. Use of the FIA system enabled easy and rapid exchange of the sensors, during cultivation. The inclusion of a calibration step, regularly for all sensors, helped to maintain the accuracy of all measurements. Comparison with off-line measurements indicated that all three biosensors operated successfully, providing accurate information.

Immobilized enzymes as tools in food analysis

A lot of publications described the possibilities of using selective enzymatic reactions in analysis, but not much authors described applications for the analysis of real samples. In this paper important publications, which described different applications in food analysis, are reviewed. In the first section the use of biosensors for food analysis, in the second section the combination of immobilized enzymes and flow injection analysis and in the last section the use of immobilized enzymes in combination with HPLC are described. Most of the applications described used enzymes for the determination of sugars mainly glucose, but also methods for the determination of inhibitors in foods are described.

Comparison of different biosensor systems suitable for bioprocess monitoring

To achieve effective bioprocess monitoring, sensing systems are required which are suitable for an on-line determination of substrates, inhibitors, nutrients or products. Such devices may utilise biochemical principles, i.e. the specific interaction of biochemical receptors with their surroundings. They can be constructed either as in situ sensors or as flow-through sensors connected to the process via sampling devices. Hence, characteristic features of an in situ glucose electrode are described, e.g. analytical range, sensitivity and stability. The sensor was based on mediated electron transfer from the enzyme glucose oxidase to the graphite electrode, the mediators being tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) or dimethylferrocene (DMF). Additionally, various flow injection analysis (FIA) systems based on oxidases, which were immobilised either on controlled pore glass or in a membrane, were characterised with respect to analytical ranges and sensitivities and applied to glucose, lactate and glutamate determinations in off-line samples taken from an animal cell cultivation.