Enzyme Based Asparagine Biosensor for the Detection of Asparagine Levels in Leukemic Samples.

Plants have been used for the treatment of different diseases since 1100 BC. Catharanthus roseus is one of the medicinally important plants showing anti-tumor, anti-mutagenic and anti-microbial effects. L-asparaginase is extracted by C. roseus and is used for the development of biosensors. L-asparaginase breaks down asparagine into aspartic acid and ammonia, thus killing the tumor cells due to asparagine starvation. In the present study the L-asparaginase was extracted from C. roseus and immobilized in different matrixes such as agar, soil, clay and k-carrageenan. Out of the various immobilization techniques k-carrageenan gave the fastest response time, so it was choosen for the development of asparagine biosensor. In the leukemic blood samples the asparagine concentration was 10-2 to 10-3 M whereas in normal blood samples it was 10-5 to 10-6 M. The developed biosensor gave the fast response and were sensitive and reliable.