Biological Synthesis of Conducting Polymer based Nanostructures and Nanoparticles

Redox enzyme-based reactions were applied for the synthesis of conducting polymer nanoparticles and functional layers [1,2] suitable for the design of electrochemical biosensors. Glucose oxidase (GOx) E.C. 1.1.3.4. from Penicillium vitale was applied as biocatalyst, which is forming hydrogen peroxide that initiates polymerization of some conducting polymers. It was shown that this method is suitable for the synthesis of polypyrrole, polianiline and some other conducting polymer based layers and nanoparticles. It was demonstrated that both dissolved and immobilized [1,2] enzymes could be successfully applied for the enzymatic synthesis of conducting polymer-based nanoparticles. We have demonstrated that formed nanostructures and nanoparticles shows good biocompatibility [3]. We have demonstrated that during such kind of synthesis of nanoparticles and/or nanostructured layers the enzymes becomes entrapped within conducting polymer layer. Therefore such nanoparticles and nanostructured layers are suitable for the design of amperometric glucose biosensors, biofuel cells and some other bio-devices.

Acknowledgement. The work was supported by Research Council of Lithuania, Support to research of scientists and other researchers (Global Grant), Enzymes functionalized by polymers and biorecognition unit for selective treatment of target cells (NanoZim’s), Project Nr. VP1-3.1-ŠMM-07-K-02-042.

References
1. Ramanavicius A., Kausaite A., Ramanaviciene A., Self-encapsulation of Oxidases as a Basic Approach to Tune Upper Detection Limit of Amperometric Biosensors, Analyst (2008) 133, 1083.

2. Mazeiko V., Kausaite-Minkstimiene A., Ramanaviciene A., Balevicius Z., Ramanavicius A. Gold Nanoparticle and Conducting Polymer – Polyaniline – Based Nanocomposites for Glucose Biosensor Design. Sensors and Actuators B-Cemical (2013) 189, 187-193.