Catalase-conjugated surfaces: H2O2 detection based on quenching of tryptophan fluorescence on conducting polymers

Conducting polymers are promising materials used to prepare electrochemical and optical detection platforms for bioanalytical systems. After conjugation of biomolecules onto electmpolymerized monomers for preparation of multifunctional surfaces, they can be used to easily monitor small molecules, macromolecules, and cells. In this study, multifunctional monomer with indole (necessary for fluorescence detection of H2O2) and carboxyl functional groups (necessary for covalent immobilization of biological material) was synthesized, electropolymerized, modified with biomolecules (catalase) and then applied for the selective detection of target analyte (H2O2). Tryptophan sequestered dithione [3,2-b:2',3'-d] pyrmle (DTP-Trp) was synthesized and electropolymerized on indium tin oxide (ITO) coated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates, which is a transparent support. Afterward, catalase (CAT) was immobilized on the Poly(DTP-Trp) using a zero-length crosslinker, 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC), via covalent bonds between carboxyl groups of CAT and amino groups of Poly(DTP-Trp). Surface characterization of Poly(DTP-Trp)/CAT was done by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDX). The presence of Poly(DTP-Trp)/CAT on ITO-PET surfaces were also confirmed by electrochemical methods to show the success of support modification. Determination of H2O2 was investigated using fluorescence spectrometry based on quenching mechanism of H2O2 on the fluorescence of tryptophan. After optimization of working conditions of Poly(DTPTrp)/CAT, H2O2 detection in synthetic samples was done without any interference of the matrices.

Automated summary

Conducting polymers can be used to prepare electrochemical and optical detection platforms for bioanalytical systems. In this study, a multifunctional monomer was synthesized for selective detection of H2O2, successfully immobilizing CAT on Poly(DTP-Trp) for target analyte detection. Surface characterization was done using SEM and EDX, confirming the presence of Poly(DTP-Trp)/CAT on ITO-PET surfaces.