Redox mediators Meldola blue

FIGURE 6-6 Chemical stmcture of some common redox mediators (a) dimethyl ferrocene (b) tetrathiafidvalene (c) tetracyanoquinodimethane (cl) Meldola Blue. 

NADH. Immobilized redox mediators, such as the phenoxazine Meldola Blue or phenothiazine compoimds, have been particularly useful for this purpose (20) (see also Figure 4-12). Such mediation should be useful for many other dehydrogenase-based biosensors. High sensitivity and speed are indicated from the flow-injection response of Figure 3-21. The challenges of NADH detection and the development of dehydrogenase biosensors have been reviewed (21). Alcohol biosensing can also be accomplished in the presence of alcohol oxidase, based on measurements of the liberated peroxide product. 

Coupling between a biologically catalyzed reaction and an electrochemical reaction, referred to as bioelectrocatalysis, is the constructional principle for enzyme-based electrochemical biosensors. This means that the flow of electrons from a donor through the enzyme to an acceptor must reach the electrode in order for the corresponding current to be detected. In case a direct electron transfer between the active site of an enzjane and an electrode is not possible, a small molecular redox active species, e.g. hydrophobic ferrocene, meldola blue and menadione as well as hydrophilic ferricyanide, can be used as an electron transfer mediator. This means that the electrons from the active site of the enzyme reduce the mediator molecule, which, in turn, can diffuse to the electrode, where it donates the electrons upon oxidation. When these mediator molecules are employed for coupling of an enzymatic redox reaction to an electrode at a constant potential, the resulting application can be referred to as mediated amperometry or mediated bioelectrocatalysis. 

Various redox compounds that fulfil catalyst characteristics have been investigated in systems with recycling of NAD by electrocatalytic methods. Quinones, formed either by oxidation of carbon surfaces [143, 145] or adsorbed to the electrode surface [146, 147], phenazines [148, 149], phenoxazine derivatives such as Meldola Blue [182], 9-naphthoyl-Nile Blue [151, 152] and l,2-benzophenoxazine-7-one [153], and also the organic conducting salt N-methyl phenazinium tetracyanoquinodimethanide (TTF TCNQ") [154, 155], ferricinium ions [156, 157] and hexacyanoferrat(IIl) ions [158, 159] can act as catalysts for the electrochemical oxidation of NADH. It is assumed that in corresponding electron-transfer reactions a charge-transfer complex between the immobilized mediator and NADH is formed. The intermediate reduced redox mediator will be reoxidized electrochemically. Most systems mentioned, however, suffer from poor electrode stabilities. 

---