Biosensors based on acrylic microgels: a comparative study of immobilized glucose oxidase and tyrosinase.

Acrylic microgels are proposed as enzyme immobilizing support in amperometric biosensors. Two enzymes, glucose oxidase and tyrosinase, were entrapped in this matrix and their behaviour is compared. The optimum cross-linking of the polymeric matrix required to retain the enzyme, and to allow the diffusion of the substrate is different for each enzyme, 3.2% for glucose oxidase and 4.5% for tyrosinase. The effect of pH and temperature on the biosensor responses has been studied by experimental design methodology and predictions have been compared with independently performed experimental measurements. A quadratic effect of the variables studied (pH and T) on the biosensor response and the small or null interaction between them was confirmed. The pH results obtained with both methods are coincident revealing an reversible effect on the enzyme. However, the temperature optimum value obtained by experimental design was 10 degrees C lower as a result of an activity decay due to irreversible thermal denaturation of both enzymes.