Polypyrrole-coated glucose oxidase nanoparticles for biosensor design

Self-encapsulation of redox enzyme – glucose oxidase E.C. 1.1.3.4. from Penecillum vitale (GOX) – within conducting polymer polypyrrole (Ppy) is firstly described. Polymerization of polypyrrole was initiated by GOX catalytic action product-hydrogen peroxide. It was acting as oxidator generating free radicals and initiating the polymerization of pyrrole. The increase in optical absorbance at 460 nm was exploited for the monitoring of polypyrrole polymerization process. The presence of entrapped glucose oxidase within polypyrrole was determined by basic application of polypyrrole-coated glucose oxidase nanoparticles (GOX/Ppy) in electrochemical biosensor design. The increase of KM by over 10 times was determined for polypyrrole-coated GOX, if compared with native GOX. Further application of nanoparticles based on self-encapsulated glucose oxidase and other oxidases is predicted for various bioanalytical purposes and other biocatalytic applications.