A pyrrole quinoline quinone glucose dehydrogenase biosensor based on screen-printed carbon paste electrodes modified by carbon nanotubes

A carbon nanotube (CNT) modified biosensor based on oxygen-independent, pyrrole quinoline quinone glucose dehydrogenase (PQQ-GDH) for monitoring glucose was studied. The disposable amperometric biosensors based on screen-printed carbon paste electrodes are low cost and suitable for mass production. Potassium ferricyanide was immobilized on the surface of the electrodes as an electron mediator, which decreased the work potential. The biosensor showed a linear amperometric response to glucose from 1 to 35 mM, with a sensitivity of 31.0 mu A mM(-1) cm(-2). Experimentally, the compositions of PQQ-GDH, potassium ferricyanide, CNTs and other components were evaluated and optimized. Only 2 mu l of sample are needed for one test, and the response time of the sensor is 20 s. The characteristics of the biosensor were studied through cyclic voltammetry, and experimental results showed that the CNTs could facilitate the electron transfer between the enzyme and electrode surface significantly. Compared with the biosensor without carbon nanotube modification, the CNTs improved the sensitivity of the biosensor up to five times.