Bioelectrochemical fuel cell and sensor based on a quinoprotein, alcohol dehydrogenase

Abstract A biofuel cell, yielding a stable and continuous low-power output, based on the enzymatic oxidation of methanol to formic acid has been designed and investigated. The homogeneous kinetics of the electrochemically-coupled enzymatic oxidation reaction were investigated and optimized. The biofuel cell also functioned as a sensitive method for the detection of primary alcohols. A method for medium-scale preparation of the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase [alcohol:(acceptor) oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.99.8] is described.