Lactate, glutamate and glutamine biosensors based on rhodinised carbon electrodes

Amperometric enzyme sensors for lactate, glutamate and glutamine were constructed using rhodinised carbon electrodes. All three sensors operated at a potential of + 400 mV (Ag/AgCl). Lactate sensors were constructed using lactate oxidase immobilized in hydroxyethylcellulose, overlaid with a cellulose acetate membrane. Using a flow-injection system, the sensors had a linear range of 0.1 to 1.5 mM. Measurements of lactate concentrations from a mammalian cell culture were compared with results obtained from a commercial instrument. A correlation coefficient of r = 0.982 ( n = 15) was obtained. Glutamate and glutamine sensors were fabricated based on glutaraldehyde immobilization; the former by incorporating glutamate oxidase and the latter based on glutamate oxidase and glutaminase (both had a linear range of 0.1 to 1.5 mM). The feasibility of using these sensors, in conjunction with a previously described glucose sensor, for mammalian cell culture monitoring is discussed.