Biosensing approach for alcohol determination using immobilized alcohol oxidase.

Alcohol oxidase (AOD) was immobilized in polypyrrole (PPy) and a random copolymer containing 3-methylthienyl methacrylate and p-vinylbenzyloxy poly(ethyleneoxide) matrices. Immobilization of enzyme was performed via entrapment in conducting polymers during electrochemical polymerization of pyrrole through the thiophene moiety of the copolymer. Three different alcohols, namely methanol, ethanol and n-propanol, were used as substrates. Maximum reaction rates, Michaelis-Menten constants, optimum temperature and pH values, operational stabilities and shelf life of the enzyme electrodes were investigated.