Tobacco Peroxidase as a New Reagent

The results of testing a new enzyme, anionic tobacco peroxidase (TOP), in various amperometric biosensors are summarized. The biochemical and electrochemical properties of the enzyme are briefly characterized. As compared to the commonly used cationic peroxidase from horseradish roots, TOP exhibits a wider optimum stability pH range, higher stability to inactivation with hydrogen peroxide, and higher efficiency in direct electron-transfer processes. The enzyme immobilized by adsorption on graphite is effective in determining aminophenols and aromatic diamines under flow conditions with a detection limit of 10 nM. Upon immobilization on graphite by incorporation into a gel of a redox-active polymer (crosslinked polyvinylimidazole with osmium 4,4'-dimethylbipyridinium chloride), TOP exhibited sensitivity and stability comparable to those of horseradish peroxidase and a wider linearity range. Upon immobilization on a self-assembled thiol monolayer at a gold electrode, TOP was much superior to horseradish peroxidase in the sensitivity of determining hydrogen peroxide, regardless of the charge of the monolayer. Prospects for the further use of the native enzyme and its genetically engineered unglycosylated form are considered.