From Dynamic Measurements of, Photosynthesis in a Living Plant to Sunlight Transformation into Electricity

We propose here a new method for the direct and continuous measurement of O-2 and glucose generated during photosynthesis. Our system is based on amperometric enzyme biosensors comprising immobilized redox enzymes (glucose oxidase (GOx) and bilirubin oxidase (BOD)) and redox hydrogels wiring the enzyme reaction centers to electrodes. We found that these electrodes, implanted into a living plant, responded in real time to visible light as an external stimulus triggering photosynthesis. They proved to be highly selective and fast enough and may be a valuable tool in understanding photosynthesis kinetics. Furthermore, we demonstrate that with our electrodes we could harvest glucose and O-2 produced during photosynthesis to produce energy, transforming sunlight into electricity in a simple, green, renewable, and sustainable way.