Noninvasive Hypoxia Monitor Based on Gene-Free Engineering of Lactate Oxidase for Analysis of Undiluted Sweat

We report on the Prussian Blue based lactate biosensor with the remarkably increased upper detection limit suitable for analysis of undiluted sweat. Engineering of the enzyme lactate oxidase has been carried out upon its immobilization from water isopropanol mixtures with the high (90%) content of organic solvent. To decrease the enzyme binding constant, we propose to shield the substrate binding sites in its active center with negatively charged polyelectrolyte. The biosensor made from the optimal mixture (3% gamma- aminopropyltriethoxysilane and 5% perfluorosulfonated ionomer) is characterized by the calibration graph, which even in batch mode is shifted for 2 orders of magnitude toward high analyte concentrations as compared to it of lactate sensitive electrode made without Nafion analogue. In flow-injection mode, the biosensor allows lactate detection up to 0.5 M. The biosensor displays stable response for 4 h of continuous operation. The achieved analytical performance characteristics allow the monitoring of lactate content in undiluted sweat. A successful validation of the elaborated flow-through monitor with the integrated biosensor opens new horizons for noninvasive diagnostics of hypoxia-related conditions.