Graphite–Teflon composite bienzyme amperometric biosensors for monitoring of alcohols

Composite graphite–Teflon electrodes, in which the enzymes alcohol oxidase (AOD) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP), as well as the mediator ferrocene, are incorporated into the electrode matrix, are reported for the reliable monitoring of alcohols in food and beverages. The bienzyme electrodes are constructed by simple physical inclusion of the enzymes and the mediator in the bulk of graphite–70% Teflon rigid cylindrical pellets. The composite biosensors are robust and reusable because of the renewability of the electrode surface by polishing. Reproducible amperometric responses at 0.00 V were obtained with different electrodes constructed from the same pellet and from different pellets. No significant loss of the enzymes activities was found after at least 3 months of storage at 0 °C. The detection limits obtained by amperometry in stirred solutions can be advantageously compared with those achieved with commercial sensors for alcohols. The bienzyme electrodes are suitable to be used under flow-injection conditions, as well as for amperometric detection in HPLC. The bioelectrodes were employed for the determination of ethanol in beers, wines and liquors, using both batch- and flow-injection modes, and for the determination of methanol in wines and liquors by HPLC with amperometric detection. Only a dilution of the beverages was needed as sample treatment in all cases.