Electrochemical biosensor for detection of formaldehyde in rain water

BACKGROUD: This study describes the construction of an electrochemical formaldehyde biosensor based on poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-3-methylthienyl methacrylate)/formaldehyde dehydrogenase/polypyrrole [poly(GMA-co-MTM)/FDH/PPy] composite film electrode. Formaldehyde dehydrogenase (FDH) was chemically immobilized via the epoxy groups of the glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) side chain of the polymer. Formaldehyde measurements were conducted in 0.1 mol L−1, pH 8 phosphate buffer solution (PBS) including 0.1 mol L−1 KCl, 0.5 mmol L−1 of NAD+ (cofactor of the enzyme) and 1 mmol L−1 of 1,2-napthoquinone-4-sulfonic acid sodium salt (NQS) as mediator with an applied potential of − 0.23 V (vs. Ag/AgCl, 3 mol L−1 NaCl). Analytical parameters of the biosensor were calculated and discussed. The biosensor was tested in rain water samples. RESULTS: Sensitivity was found to be 15 000 per mmol L−1 (500 nA ppm−1) in a linear range between 0.1 ppm and 3 ppm (3.3–100 µmol L−1). A minimum detectable concentration of 4.5 ppb (0.15 µmol L−1) (S/N = 3) with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 0.73% (n = 5) was obtained from the biosensor. Response time of the biosensor was very short, reaching 99% of its maximum response in about 4 s. The biosensor was also tested for formaldehyde measurements in rain water samples. Formaldehyde concentrations in samples were calculated using the proposed biosensor with recovery values ranged between 92.2 and 97.7% in comparison with the colorimetric Nash method. CONCLUSION: The poly(GMA-co-MTM)/FDH/PPy) electrode showed excellent measurement sensitivity in comparison with other formaldehyde biosensor studies. Strong chemical bonding between the enzyme and the copolymer was created via the epoxy groups of the composite film. The proposed biosensor could be used successfully in rain waters without a pretreatment step. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry