Nanostructures of Prussian blue supported on activated biochar for the development of a glucose biosensor

This work emphasizes the utilization of biochar, a renewable material, as an interesting platform for anchoring redox mediators and bioreceptors in the development of economic, environmentally friendly biosensors. In this context, Fe(III) ions were preconcentrated on highly functionalized activated biochar, allowing the stable synthesis of Prussian blue nanostructures with an average size of 58.3 nm. The determination of glucose was carried out by indirectly monitoring the hydrogen peroxide generated through the enzymatic reaction, followed by its subsequent redox reaction with reduced Prussian blue (also known as Prussian white) in a typical electrochemical-chemical mechanism. The EDC/NHS (1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride and N-Hydroxysuccinimide) pair was employed for the stable covalent immobilization of the enzyme on biochar. The biosensor demonstrated good enzyme-substrate affinity, as evidenced by the Michaelis-Menten apparent kinetic constant (4.16 mmol L−1), and analytical performance with a wide linear dynamic response range (0.05–5.0 mmol L−1), low limits of detection (0.94 μmol L−1) and quantification (3.13 μmol L−1). Additionally, reliable repeatability, reproducibility, stability, and selectivity were obtained for the detection of glucose in both real and spiked human saliva and blood serum samples. [Display omitted] •A simple, sustainable electrochemical biosensor has been developed.•Activated biochar was responsible for the anchoring of nanostructures and enzymes.•Prussian blue nanostrucutres were electrochemically synthesized on biochar.•The biosensor showed good enzyme-substrate affinity and analytical performance.•The enzymatic detection of glucose was performed in human biological samples.