Bioelectrocatalysis-based application of quinoproteins and quinoprotein-containing bacterial cells in biosensors and biofuel cells.

Electrochemical studies on the applied aspects of quinoproteins are briefly reviewed. Catalytic reactions of quinoprotein enzymes can be connected to electrochemical reactions directly or by the mediation of molecules functioning as electron acceptors of the enzymes. Such an enzyme-electrochemical reaction is called bioelectrocatalysis. It provides a novel method of kinetic analysis of enzyme catalysis and even whole bacterial cell catalysis. The principle of bioelectrocatalysis is first described, then, the bioelectrocatalysis-based application of quinoproteins in biosensors is mentioned. Characteristics and performance of this type of biosensor is explained by citing our own work. Possible application in bioreactors and biofuel cells is also mentioned.