Amperometric measuring cell for the determination of putrescine oxidase activity.

A microfabricated, flat form, amperometric microcell (microchip) is used in a simple, two-electrode arrangement for putrescine oxidase enzyme activity determinations. The cell contains a platinum microdisk working electrode and an Ag/AgCl reference electrode covered by a porous, hydrophilic membrane. An electrochemically-prepared size-exclusion layer is applied on the working electrode surface, to avoid the effect of electroactive interferences in the sample. The hydrophilic membrane, resting on the bottom of the cell, is soaked with a small volume of buffered substrate solution and a few mul enzyme containing sample solution is dispensed over the electrodes. During the enzyme activity measurement a catalytic reaction takes place in the membrane-supported liquid film over the working electrode surface. The hydrogen peroxide produced in the reaction is detected amperometrically. The amperometric current-time curves are used for evaluation. In our work putrescine was used as a substrate to determine the unknown putrescine oxidase enzyme activity of the sample. Elevated diamine oxidase enzyme activity in the vaginal milieu can indicate premature rupture of the amniotic membrane. Results with membrane discs, containing all the necessary chemicals in solid or lyophilized form, are very encouraging with respect of a single use, 'reagentless' biosensor for home care.

A conducting salt-based amperometric biosensor for measurement of extracellular lactate accumulation in ischemic myocardium.

In this paper, fabrication, characterization, and physiological application of a miniaturized amperometric lactate biosensor are described. The sensor is based on cross-linked lactate oxidase and tetrathiafulvalene-tetracyano-quinodimethane (TTF-TCNQ) charge transfer complex. The sensor was developed for continuous quantitative measurement of the lactate accumulation in ischemic myocardium under severe depletion of oxygen. The sensor was evaluated in vitro at an applied potential of 0.15 V vs Ag/AgCl; it proved to combine all the performance characteristics desired for the present application, such as proper response in absence of oxygen, good operational stability, good accuracy and precision (103.5 +/- 1.2%), adequate response time (t95% = 80 s), and wide linear dynamic range up to 27 mM (r = 0.9998) in N2-saturated solutions and at 37 degrees C. The prepared sensors (n = 12) showed sensitivity of 380 +/- 90 nA/mM, and a background current of 240 +/- 50 nA. The lower limit of detection is 0.4 +/- 0.15 mM with a S/N ratio equal to 3. Results obtained for direct lactate monitoring in ischemic rabbit papillary muscle under no-flow conditions and PO2 < 6 mm Hg are presented.

Amperometric monitoring of lactate accumulation in rabbit ischemic myocardium.

Fabrication and characterization of miniature, flexible, planar biosensors for monitoring l-lactate accumulation in an ischemic myocardium are described. Three configurations of Au-based electrodes were fabricated by a photolithographic technique on flexible polyimide Kapton((R)) foil. All sensors are based on an immobilized lactate oxidase with amperometric detection of the enzymatically produced hydrogen peroxide at a platinum-electroplated-gold base electrode polarized at 0.5 V versus Ag/AgCl. An inner electropolymeric layer is used to prevent electrode fouling and to reject the interference effects of easily oxidizable molecules. In addition, a diffusion controlling outer layer that greatly enhances the linear dynamic range of the sensor, is obtained by casting a polyurethane external film. The developed sensor was evaluated in vitro and proved to have high selectivity, good operational stability, good accuracy and precision (average recovery = 102.3 +/- 0.4% for control sera), fast response time (t(95) = 20 s) and high upper limit of the linear dynamic range (25-80 mM, with sensitivity of 1.7-0.4 nA mM(-1) respectively at PO(2) = 15 mmHg). Subsequently, the sensor was brought into direct contact with the surface of the rabbit papillary muscle and used for continuous quantitative monitoring of extracellular lactate accumulation during no-flow ischemia.

Development of a diamine biosensor.

An amperometric diamine sensor is developed for clinical applications in diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis (BV). The sensor is based on crosslinked putrescine oxidase (PUO) which catalyzes the conversion of diamines (mainly putrescine and cadaverine) to products including hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide is detected anodically at platinum electrode polarized at 0.5 V versus Ag/AgCl. Platinum-plated gold electrodes used as a substrate for the sensor construction, are batch-fabricated on a flexible polyimide foil (Kapton(R), DuPont). A three-electrode cell configuration is used in all amperometric measurements. The sensor construction is based on three layers: an inner layer to reject the interference effect of oxidizable molecules, an outer diffusion controlling layer, and in addition, an enzyme middle layer. The enzyme layer was immobilized by crosslinking PUO with bovine serum albumin (BSA) using glutaraldehyde (GA). An optimization study of the enzyme solution composition was carried out. With the optimized enzyme layer, the biosensor showed a very high sensitivity and fast response time of ca. 20 s. The sensor has a linear dynamic range from (0.5-300 muM) for putrescine that covers the expected biological levels of the analyte. Details on sensor fabrication and characterization are given in the present work.

Aliphatic polyurethane as a matrix for pH sensors: effects of native sites and added proton carrier on electrical and potentiometric properties.

The potentiometric and impedance characteristics of polymeric membranes, based on aliphatic polyurethane (Tecoflex) as a matrix, are described and interpreted by theory and experiments for H(+) and alkali metal ion-sensitive sensors. Both dummy plasticized membranes and proton carrier-loaded membranes can show pH response. The pH response of dummy membranes is due to protonated natural negative sites in the polyurethane matrix. The electrodes with added proton carrier show improved rejection of Li(+), Na(+), and K(+) responses and give useful analytical responses. Optimal performance requires control of negative site concentration by addition of lipophilic salt (e.g. tetraphenylborate derivatives). Impedance analyses show surface-rate semicircles and, depending on the bathing electrolyte solution, appearance of a diffusional Warburg impedance. In addition to these time-dependence surface region effects, changes in the bulk membrane resistance with soaking time can be well correlated with equilibrium water content of plasticized membranes.

Electroanalytical and biocompatibility studies on carboxylated poly(vinyl chloride) membranes for microfabricated array sensors.

Potassium ion-selective and pH membrane electrodes based on neutral carrier ionophores for K+ (valinomycin) and H+ (TDDA and ETH 5294), respectively, immobilized in carboxylated PVC (PVC-COOH) with normal (classical) and reduced amounts of plasticizer, were investigated with respect to their general analytical performances (linear range, slope, detection limit, selectivity, internal membrane resistance), their biocompatibility and cellular responses. The analytical performance of potassium selective electrodes was not affected by reducing the plasticizer content from 66% (m/m) to about 33% (m/m) while that of pH electrodes was significantly changed at the lower plasticizer concentration level. The adhesive properties of PVC-COOH membranes to an inert substrate such as polyimide-coated Kapton are greatly improved by reducing the plasticizer content of the membrane. In addition, as was reported earlier by this group, improved biocompatibility was observed with these membranes relative to those with increased plasticizer content. A ratio of 1:1 m/m for PVC-COOH to plasticizer is recommended for the construction of planar ISEs without massive use of internal solution.

Planar micro sensors for in vivo myocardial pH measurements.

Potentiometric responses of microelectronically fabricated planar pH sensors based on both TDDA or ETH 5294 proton neutral carriers, in aminated PVC matrix, were evaluated with respect to main analytical parameters (linear ranges, slopes, reproducibility of potential measurements, potential drift and membrane resistance). In order to increase the electrode life time, increased amounts of membrane material were applied on the Ag/AgCl-poly-HEMA active spots of the polyimide substrate. The electrodes were implanted into an in situ porcine beating heart preparation at a midmyocardial depth in order to monitor H(+) concentration changes during the course of coronary artery occlusion.

Ion-selective membranes with low plasticizer content: electroanalytical characterization and biocompatibility studies.

High molecular weight poly(vinyl chloride) and aliphatic polyurethane (Tecoflex)-based ion selective membranes, with normal and reduced amounts of plasticizer, as well as without plasticizer, were tested with respect to their analytical properties, their biocompatibility, and cellular responses. The analytical properties of the membranes did not change significantly within a wide range of polymer to plasticizer ratios. However, the membranes with reduced plasticizer content had better adhesive properties, less anion interference, extended life time, and better biocompatibility. Using the cage implant system, the results showed that an increase of plasticizer weight percent in Tecoflex membranes correlated positively with the increase in host inflammatory response up to 14 days of implantation. The results also demonstrated that both PVC and Tecoflex-based ion-selective membranes with the most common membrane composition (1:2 polymer to plasticizer ratio) exhibited a similar acute inflammatory response, but the PVC-based membrane elicited a reduced chronic inflammatory response when compared with the Tecoflex-based membrane.

Responses of H(+) selective solvent polymeric membrane electrodes fabricated from modified PVC membranes.

Potentiometric responses of a novel class of pH sensitive ionophores, namely several phenoxazine derivatives, were tested in different modified PVC matrices. The ionophores were compounded into liquid membranes as usual or were covalently coupled to the polymeric matrix. The general analytical performance of the membranes and other membrane characteristics (i.e., resistance and response time, as measures of membrane decomposition or structural changes) were followed in time. The transient responses of membranes with mobile ionophores in high molecular weight (HMW) and carboxylated PVC (PVC-COOH) were compared to those with immobilized ionophores. The response time of membranes with immobilized ionophores was found to be between those with mobile ionophores in HMW (fast response) and PVC-COOH (sluggish response). Accordingly, the rate of response was correlated primarily to the -COOH content of the membranes.

New BF(-)(4) and ClO(-)(4)-selective membrane electrodes and their pharmaceutical applications.

The construction and general performance characteristics of ion-selective membrane electrodes sensitive to BF(-)(4) and ClO(-)(4) anions, respectively, are described. All electrodes show near-Nernstian responses in the range 10(-2) -10(-5)M. The selectivity of the electrodes to a number of organic and inorganic anions are reported. The electrodes are useful in the potentiometric determination of a few pharmaceutical preparations. The method is simple, rapid and does not require prior sample pre-treatment.

Amitriptyline-selective plastic membrane sensors and their pharmaceutical applications.

The construction and general performance characteristics of potentiometric amitriptyline-plastic membrane sensors, based on ion-pair complexes with triphenylstilbenylborate and tetra(2-chlorophenyl)borate, respectively, are described. Both electrodes show near-Nernstian responses over the range 1 x 10(-2)-7 x 10(-6) mol dm-3 with a detection limit of about 5 x 10(-6) mol dm-3. The electrodes proved useful in the determination of amitriptyline hydrochloride in pure drug substances and pharmaceutical preparations. They were also applied to the determination of content uniformity and dissolution rate of sugar-coated amitriptyline tablets. The physical processes were numerically simulated by typical equations.

Plastic membrane electrodes responsive to beta-blocker drugs.

The construction and performance characteristics of ion-selective PVC membrane electrodes for metoprolol, propranolol and timolol are described. The electrodes, based on ion-pair complexes with dinonylnaphthalenesulphonate or with tetra(2-chlorophenyl)borate show near-Nernstian responses down to 10(-5)M drug concentration. Their selectivity relative to various inorganic and organic cations is reported. Direct potentiometry is used to determine beta-blocker drugs both in aqueous solutions and pharmaceutical preparations, with good results.

A poly(vinylchloride) membrane electrode for determination of phenytoin in pharmaceutical formulations.

The construction and general performance characteristics of an ion-selective membrane electrode sensitive to the drug phenytoin, based on its ion-pair complex with the quaternary ammonium cation, tricaprylmethylammonium, in a PVC matrix are described. The electrode shows near-Nernstian response over a 10(-1)-10(-4) mol l(-1) range and a detection limit of 1.5 x 10(-5) mol l(-1). The selectivity of the electrode to a number of inorganic and organic anions is reported. OH(-) interference, in the linear range of the calibration curve, is negligible up to pH 11.0. The standard addition method is used to determine phenytoin in pharmaceutical formulations, such as tablets and capsules, with good results. The method is rapid and simple, and does not require prior sample pretreatment.

Nafronyl ion-selective membrane electrodes and their use in pharmaceutical analysis.

A simple potentiometric method is described for the rapid determination of nafronyl-drugs in pharmaceutical preparations such as tablets. Nafronyl ion-selective membrane electrodes with either the nafronyl-dipicrylamine ion-pair complex in 1,2-dichloroethane or the nafronyl-dinonylnaphthalenesulphonic acid ion-pair complex in a PVC matrix as electroactive materials were used. Both electrodes exhibit near-Nernstian responses to protonated-nafronyl activity from 10(-2) to about 10(-5)M, in pH ranges that depend on the nature of the electroactive material used in the membrane. Nafronyl in the mg-range can be determined by potentiometric titration with sodium tetraphenylborate solution, with a relative standard deviation of less than 2.0%. No interference from any excipients in the tablets was observed.

A quinidine-responsive plastic membrane electrode.

A membrane electrode based on quinidine tetraphenylborate in a PVC matrix is described. The electrode exhibits a rapid and near-Nernstian response in the range 3.5 x 10(-5)-1 x 10(-2) M quinidine sulphate at pH 6-8. In an acidic medium the electrode responds to diprotonated quinidine. In sodium tetraphenylboron (Na TPB) solutions the response is linear in respect of log (TPB-) over the range 10(-4)-10(-2)M . Direct potentiometry and potentiometric titrations are used to determine quinidine in pharmaceutical preparations.