Ethanol biosensors and electrochemical oxidation of NADH.

Comparative studies of the electrochemical oxidation of reduced nicotinamide coenzyme (NADH) at the surfaces of chemically modified graphite paste electrodes (CMEs) are reported. Three different electroactive materials, tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ), tetrathiafulvalene (TTF), and dimethyl ferrocene (dmFc), were used to construct three different chemically modified paste electrodes. The oxidation of NADH was examined on the basis of cyclic voltammetric measurements. The results show that all three mediators (TCNQ, TTF, and dmFc) behave as efficient mediators of the oxidation of NADH. The typical response curves of NADH at the CMEs surfaces are reported. Incorporating alcohol dehydrogenase and electroactive materials (TCNQ, TTF, and dmFc) within the graphite paste electrodes has led to the development of ethanol biosensors. Typical response curves for the ethanol analysis are reported. Comparative studies on the mediated electrochemical responses of the biosensors to ethanol are discussed. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.