# Tyrosinase-Immobilized Biosensor Based on  the Functionalized Hydroxyl Group-MWNT and Detection  of Phenolic Compounds in Red Wines

Authors: Ji-Hoon Yang; Jae-Chan Lee; Seong-Ho Choi
Journal: Journal of Sensors
 (2009)

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## Abstract

The tyrosinase-immobilized biosensor was developed with the hydroxyl group-functionalized multiwall carbon nanotube  (MWNT) for phenol detection. The hydroxyl group-modified MWNT was modified to include poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT, or  poly(HEMA), by a radiation-induced graft polymerization of glucosyl 4-vinylphenylboronate (GVPB) or 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) on the surface of MWNT.  The response of biosensor was in the range of 0.6–7.0 mM for concentration and in the range of 0.05–0.35 mM for phenol in a phosphate buffer solution, respectively. Various parameters influencing biosensor performance have been optimized: for pH, temperature, and the response to various phenolic compounds. The biosensor was then tested on phenolic compounds contained in three different commercial red wines.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

The surface functionalization of carbon nanotubes was performed to achieve the following two goals [1–4].  The first one was to render the nanotubes “soluble” in a liquid, and the second was to introduce functional groups onto the surface of carbon nanotubes. In either case, forming a stable dispersion was essential to the study of the chemistry of carbon nanotubes.Radiation-induced graft polymerization (RIGP) is a useful technique for the introduction of functional groups into different polymer matrixes by using specially selected monomers. There have been several reports on RIGP of polar monomers onto polymer subtracts with hydrophobic properties in order to obtain hydrophilic properties for versatile applications [5–8].  In a previous paper [9], the MWNT was functionalized with various monomers by RIGP in an aqueous solution at a room temperature using γ-irradiation. The boric acid-functionalized MWNT was used as a supporting material for detecting glucose that has no enzymes.In a previous paper [10], we also introduced the carboxylic acid group onto the surface of MWNT by RIGP of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid to increase the affinity of the enzymes.  When we use the carboxylic acid-functionalized MWNT, the sensitivity of the biosensor is enhanced due to an increase in affinity between the MWNT surface and the enzymes.  On the other hand, the hydroxyl  group, –OH, is well known as being one of the functional groups that has affinity to biomolecules [11–13].  The –OH group also has hydrophilic properties and consequently it can easily immobilize the enzyme onto the hydrophilic site by physical methods.  However, little has been reported about the introduction of –OH groups onto CNT surfaces by grafting techniques.Wines, particularly red wines, contain numerous biologically active compounds.  The most important of which is poly-phenols. The nutritional importance of poly-phenols is attributed to their antioxidant properties.  In particular, flavonoids and their related phenolic compounds, which are naturally found in red wines, are gaining interest [14].  Red wines have been reported to be more cardioprotective and they play a possible role in reducing thrombotic and anthropogenic processes.  Poly-phenols also contribute substantially to the quality of wines as they affect the color, flavor, stability, and aging behavior [15].  However, little has been reported on the total amount of phenolic compounds in red wine determined by electrochemical methods.In this study, the tyrosinase-immobilized biosensor, based on –OH group functionalized MWNT was designed to detect or sense the phenolic compounds in red wines.  The biosensor was fabricated on an ITO electrode via hand casting of chitosan solution with a combination of the hydroxyl group-functionalized MWNT and tyrosinase. The biosensor was evaluated on its   efficiency in sensing phenols in a phosphate buffer solution. Various parameters influencing the response of biosensor were tested and optimized: pH, temperature, and different phenolic compounds. The total concentration of phenolic compounds in commercial red wines was also measured.


## 2. Experiment

### 2.1. Reagents

Tyrosinase from mushroom (EC 1.14.18.1),α-D-glucose, 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA), phenol, p-chresol, catechol, gallic acid, chitosan, and THF were purchased from the Aldrich-Sigma Chemical Co. (USA).  4-Vinylphenylboronic acid was purchased from TCI Co., LTD (Japan).  The ITO electrode (working area 0.7 × 1.1 cm2, 10 Ω resistance) was purchased from Dasom RMS Co. (Korea).  MWNT (CM-95) was supplied by Hanwha Nanotech Co., Ltd (Korea). The red wines used were Lindemans (brand name, made in Australia), Bordeaux (brand name, made in France), and Duchessa Lia (brand name, made in Italy). Solutions for the experiments were prepared with purified water in a Milli-Q puls water purification system (Millipore Co. Ltd., USA). The final resistance of water was 18.2 MΩcm-1 and gas was removed prior to each measurement.


### 2.2. Synthesis of Glucosyl 4-vinylphenylboronate (GVPB)

Glucosyl 4-vinylphenylboronate (GVPB) was synthesized from a reaction of 4-vinylphenylboronic acid (3.4 mmol) andα-D-glucose (6.8 mmol) in THF/H2O (50/50 mL) at 60C° over 12 hours. The conversion yield was ~68.9%.  Spectroscopic data of GVPB: H1 NMR (CDCl3, TMS): δ 8.2 ~ 7.5 (t, 4H, phenyl), 7.3 (d, 1H, O–CH–OH), 6.8 (m, 1H, C=CH–C), 5.9~5.4 (d, 2H, CH2=C), 1.6 (s, 3H, O–CH2–CH–O), 1.3 (t, 2H, C–CH–C), 0.9 (t, 1H, C–CH–C). FT-IR (KBr): 3420 (OH), 1600 (C=C), 1110 (C–O). LC-MASS: 310.12.


### 2.3. Synthesis of the Hydroxyl Group-Modified MWNT by RIGP

Figure1 shows the RIGP of the vinyl monomers with –OH group functionalized on the surface of MWNT.  The MWNT was purified to remove the catalyst and non-crystallized carbon impurities. In detail, the MWNT was treated with a mixture of H2SO4/HNO3=3/1 (vol-%) and in the process the MWNT was cut into shorter segments. The purified and cut MWNT was used as the supporting material for grafting with GVPB and HEMA, respectively.  The MWNT (2.0 g) was mixed with GVPB (2.0 g) or HEMA (2.0 g) in an aqueous solution (20 mL). Nitrogen was gas bubbled through the solution for 30 minutes in order to remove oxygen gas, and the solution was irradiated by γ-ray from Co-60 source under atmospheric pressure and ambient temperature.  A total irradiation amount of 30 kGy (a dose rate = 1.0 ×104 Gy/h) was used. The poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT and poly(HEMA)-g-MWNT were dried in vacuum oven at 50C°.Figure 1
Radiation-induced graft polymerization of the vinyl monomers with hydroxyl group on the surface of MWNT.


### 2.4. Fabrication of the Enzyme Electrode Based on a Hydroxyl Group-Modified MWNT

The mixed solution containing chitosan (3.2 mg) as the binder, tyrosinase (25,000 unit, 0.3 mg), and the hydroxyl group-functionalized MWNT (3.2 mg) as the support in acetic acid solution (0.01 mL) was prepared. A precleaned ITO electrode by a hand-cast method was coated on the surface with the mixed solution (9.0μL).  The prepared enzyme electrode was maintained at 4C° until used.


### 2.5. Instrumentation

Electrochemical measurements were performed with a Potentiostat/Gavanostat model 283 (Ametek PAR, USA) or CV-50w voltametry (Bioanalytical Systems, Inc. USA). All experiments were carried out with a conventional three-electrode system. The working electrode, ITO, was coated with the poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT or poly(HEMA)-g-MWNT, the counter electrode was platinum wire, and the reference electrode was an Ag/AgCl (sat’d KCl).  The surface morphology of the samples was determined using electron scanning microscopy (SEM, S-3000N, Hitachi Science System Ltd., Japan), by HR-TEM (JEOL, JEM-2010, USA) for measuring the functionalized, and atomic force microscopy (AFM, PICO station, Germany). The thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) was conducted on a Scinco TGA S-1000 (Seoul, Korea) under N2 flow from 25C° to 700C° at a heating rate of 20C°/min.


## 2.1. Reagents

Tyrosinase from mushroom (EC 1.14.18.1),α-D-glucose, 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA), phenol, p-chresol, catechol, gallic acid, chitosan, and THF were purchased from the Aldrich-Sigma Chemical Co. (USA).  4-Vinylphenylboronic acid was purchased from TCI Co., LTD (Japan).  The ITO electrode (working area 0.7 × 1.1 cm2, 10 Ω resistance) was purchased from Dasom RMS Co. (Korea).  MWNT (CM-95) was supplied by Hanwha Nanotech Co., Ltd (Korea). The red wines used were Lindemans (brand name, made in Australia), Bordeaux (brand name, made in France), and Duchessa Lia (brand name, made in Italy). Solutions for the experiments were prepared with purified water in a Milli-Q puls water purification system (Millipore Co. Ltd., USA). The final resistance of water was 18.2 MΩcm-1 and gas was removed prior to each measurement.


## 2.2. Synthesis of Glucosyl 4-vinylphenylboronate (GVPB)

Glucosyl 4-vinylphenylboronate (GVPB) was synthesized from a reaction of 4-vinylphenylboronic acid (3.4 mmol) andα-D-glucose (6.8 mmol) in THF/H2O (50/50 mL) at 60C° over 12 hours. The conversion yield was ~68.9%.  Spectroscopic data of GVPB: H1 NMR (CDCl3, TMS): δ 8.2 ~ 7.5 (t, 4H, phenyl), 7.3 (d, 1H, O–CH–OH), 6.8 (m, 1H, C=CH–C), 5.9~5.4 (d, 2H, CH2=C), 1.6 (s, 3H, O–CH2–CH–O), 1.3 (t, 2H, C–CH–C), 0.9 (t, 1H, C–CH–C). FT-IR (KBr): 3420 (OH), 1600 (C=C), 1110 (C–O). LC-MASS: 310.12.


## 2.3. Synthesis of the Hydroxyl Group-Modified MWNT by RIGP

Figure1 shows the RIGP of the vinyl monomers with –OH group functionalized on the surface of MWNT.  The MWNT was purified to remove the catalyst and non-crystallized carbon impurities. In detail, the MWNT was treated with a mixture of H2SO4/HNO3=3/1 (vol-%) and in the process the MWNT was cut into shorter segments. The purified and cut MWNT was used as the supporting material for grafting with GVPB and HEMA, respectively.  The MWNT (2.0 g) was mixed with GVPB (2.0 g) or HEMA (2.0 g) in an aqueous solution (20 mL). Nitrogen was gas bubbled through the solution for 30 minutes in order to remove oxygen gas, and the solution was irradiated by γ-ray from Co-60 source under atmospheric pressure and ambient temperature.  A total irradiation amount of 30 kGy (a dose rate = 1.0 ×104 Gy/h) was used. The poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT and poly(HEMA)-g-MWNT were dried in vacuum oven at 50C°.Figure 1
Radiation-induced graft polymerization of the vinyl monomers with hydroxyl group on the surface of MWNT.


## 2.4. Fabrication of the Enzyme Electrode Based on a Hydroxyl Group-Modified MWNT

The mixed solution containing chitosan (3.2 mg) as the binder, tyrosinase (25,000 unit, 0.3 mg), and the hydroxyl group-functionalized MWNT (3.2 mg) as the support in acetic acid solution (0.01 mL) was prepared. A precleaned ITO electrode by a hand-cast method was coated on the surface with the mixed solution (9.0μL).  The prepared enzyme electrode was maintained at 4C° until used.


## 2.5. Instrumentation

Electrochemical measurements were performed with a Potentiostat/Gavanostat model 283 (Ametek PAR, USA) or CV-50w voltametry (Bioanalytical Systems, Inc. USA). All experiments were carried out with a conventional three-electrode system. The working electrode, ITO, was coated with the poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT or poly(HEMA)-g-MWNT, the counter electrode was platinum wire, and the reference electrode was an Ag/AgCl (sat’d KCl).  The surface morphology of the samples was determined using electron scanning microscopy (SEM, S-3000N, Hitachi Science System Ltd., Japan), by HR-TEM (JEOL, JEM-2010, USA) for measuring the functionalized, and atomic force microscopy (AFM, PICO station, Germany). The thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) was conducted on a Scinco TGA S-1000 (Seoul, Korea) under N2 flow from 25C° to 700C° at a heating rate of 20C°/min.


## 3. Results and Discussion

### 3.1. Fabrication and Characterization of Enzyme Electrodes Based on the Hydroxyl Group-Functionalized MWNT

The functionalization of MWNT is one of the most active fields in nanotube research providing an effective tool to broaden the electrochemical application spectrum of MWNT. We functionalized MWNT by a radiation-induced graft polymerization of GVPB and HEMA monomers in an aqueous solution. Figure2 shows the TEM images of the (a) purified MWNT, (b) poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT, and (c) poly(HEMA)-g-MWNT.  The diameter of the purified MWNT was 11 nm, as shown in Figure 2(a), whereas after the RIGP, the diameter was increased to 42 nm of poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT and 29 nm of poly(HEMA)-g-MWNT, as shown in Figures 2(b)–2(c). The thickness of poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT and poly(HEMA)-g-MWNT with a tubular-type morphology was 15 nm and 8.5 nm, respectively, calculated from TEM. An increase in thickness of poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT is due to the size of the glucosyl group of the grafted poly(GVPB) which is bigger than that of the hydroxyl ethyl group of the grafted poly(HEMA). The formation of tubular-type morphology is due to the following reasons: in order to perform the radiation grafting, we used vinyl monomers because they have the hydrophilic site of hydroxyl group (–OH) and hydrophobic site of vinyl group in a reactive solution (Figure 1).  The vinyl group in the monomer is faced to the surface of the MWNT because of a hydrophobic-hydrophobic interaction, while the hydroxyl group of monomers is faced in an aqueous solution because of a hydrophilic-hydrophilic interaction. When the γ-ray is applied, the radical polymerization of vinyl monomers on the surface of MWNT occurs. As a result, we can obtain tubular functionalized MWNT through a one-step reaction. We can immobilize the enzyme to the functional group of the MWNT surface by physical adsorption, and we can also use the MWNT as an electron transfer material in order to increase biosensor sensitivity.TEM images of the purified MWNT (a), poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT (b), and poly(HEMA)-g-MWNT (c).
(a)(b)(c)Figure3 shows the TGA curves of (a) the purified MWNT, (b) poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT, and (c) poly(HEMA)-g-MWNT prepared by RIGP. The 1st weight loss (%) from 50C° to 300C° for a vinyl polymer-graft MWNT appeared to be due to a loss of moisture because of the hydrophilic properties of the grafted vinyl polymer.  The 2nd weight loss (%) appeared in the range of 300–500C° due to the grafted vinyl polymer weight loss. The results show that the graft yields (%) were in the range of 25–30 % after the RIGP of vinyl monomers.Figure 3
TGA curves of the purified MWNT (a), poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT (b), and poly(HEMA)-g-MWNT (c).Figures4 and 5 show SEM and AFM-3D images of the tyrosinase-immobilized biosensor based on the functionalized MWNT: (a) Surface of the ITO electrode, (b) chitosan-coated ITO, (c) tyrosinase-immobilized chitosan-ITO electrode, and (d) a tyrosinase-immobilized biosensor based on poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT.  The surface of the ITO is a flat form (Figure 4(a)), whereas the film of chitosan as the binder appeared flat but amorphous so that it resembles a typical polymer form, as shown in Figure 4(b).  In contrast, the composite film with poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT has irregular curved peaks, as shown in Figure 4(c). The glucosyl group of poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT in a composite film can be immobilized by the tyrosinase and as a result, the sensitivity can be increased for ethanol. After the immobilization of tyrosinase on the MWNT-based composite film, the morphology of the composite film is changed, as shown in Figure 4(d).  As a result, we successfully immobilized the tyrosinase using a hydroxyl group-modified MWNT. In the AFM-3D image, after the immobilization of tyrosinase onto the MWNT-based composite film, the surface morphology has a very smooth form, as shown in Figure 5(d), compared to that of the composite film in Figure 5(c) due to the morphology of the immobilized tyrosinase.SEM images of the surface of ITO glass (a), chitosan-coated ITO (b), tyrosinase-immobilized chitosan-ITO electrode (c), and tyrosinase-immobilized biosensor based on poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT (d).
(a)(b)(c)(d)AFM 3-D images (5μm scale) of the surface of ITO glass (a), chitosan-coated ITO (b), tyrosinase-immobilized chitosan-ITO electrode (c), and tyrosinase-immobilized biosensor based on poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT (d).
(a)(b)(c)(d)In order to determine the biosensor sensitivity, we designed four biosensors with and without the functionalized MWNT. Figure6 shows the cyclic voltammograms of 0.5 mM phenol in 50 mM phosphate buffer solution using (a) an ITO electrode with tyrosinase, (b) an electrode with pure MWNT-tyrosinase, and (c) the biosensor based on poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT.  The potential was scanned between -1.0 and 0.75 versus Ag/AgCl at a scan rate of 100 mVs-1. The oxidation peak at -0.3 V and low-reduction peak at 0.3 V on the biosensor are based on poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT, as shown in Figures 6(c) and 7.  This peak represents the production of catechol or o-quinone from the enzymatic reaction in phosphate solution. In other words, tyrosinase is a copper-containing monooxygenase enzyme that catalyses conversion of phenolic substrates to catechol and then o-quinone as follows:(1)phenol+tyrosinase(O2)→catechol,catecohol+tyrosinase(O2)→o-quinone+H2O,o-quinone+H++2e-→catechol.Figure 6
Cyclic voltammetry responses of 1.0 mM phenol using tyrosinase-immobilized ITO electrode (a), tyrosinase-immobilized electrode based on purified MWNT (b), and tyrosinase-immobilized biosensor based on GVPB-g-MWNT (c) in 50 mM phosphate buffer solution with a scan rate 100 mV/s.Cyclic voltammetry responses of tyrosinase-immobilized biosensor based on  poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT in 1.0 mM phenolic compounds. Scan rate is 100 mVs-1. Phosphate buffer (pH = 7.0) is at room temperature.
(a)(b)


### 3.2. Optimization of the Prepared Biosensor

Selectivity is a very important factor in the biosensor; so four compounds ( phenol,p-cresol, catechol, and gallic acid) were detected based on poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT in a 50 mM phosphate buffer solution (pH = 7.0). In the p-cresol and gallic acid solution, there are no redox peaks using the biosensor, as shown in Figure 7(b). Serra et al. [16] reported that the different sensitivity was observed for phenolic compounds with different positions in an enzymatic reaction.  The metaposition phenol (m-cresol) appears as the high response sensitivity more than ortho- and paraposition phenols in an enzymatic reaction due to a high affinity with tyrosinase.  Also shown in Figure 7, the high response peak of phenol appears more than that of p-cresol, catecohol, and gallic acid because of its enzymatic specificity.  For catechol, the oxidation peak is at -0.3 V and the reduction peak is 0.3 V, and the high response peak appears to be more than that of p-cresol. Tsai et al. [17] have reported that p-catechol appears to have a greater sensitivity response than that of dopamine and epinephrine.The electrochemical biosensing of phenol was performed under optimal experimental conditions. Figure8 shows the cyclic voltammograms of phenol on biosensor based on (a) poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT, and (b) poly(HEMA)-g-MWNT in 50 mM phosphate buffer solution (pH = 7.0) as function of phenol concentration. When using the poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT biosensor, the sensing range of phenol was from 0.6 to 7.0 mM concentration, as shown in Figure 8(a), whereas the sensing range of the biosensor based on poly(HEMA)-g-MWNT for phenol was in the range of 0.05–0.35 mM concentration as shown in Figure 8(b).  The sensitivity and apparent Michaelies-Menten constant (KMapp) of the biosensor based on poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT was 0.13 A (molL-1)-1 and 54.9 mmolL-1, respectively.  The sensitivity and KMapp of biosensor prepared by poly(HEMA)-g-MWNT was estimated to be 0.21 A (molL-1)-1 and 0.30 mmolL-1, respectively. The KMapp values were lower than those reported for free enzymes in a solution, which was estimated to be at 700 μmolL-1 as a substrate [18].  Such low KMapp values may be ascribed to the high concentration of tyrosinase on the biosensor. Additionally, the functionalized MWNT in a composite film may have increased the enzyme catalytic sites access to substrate molecules.Calibration curves for phenol concentration on the tyrosinase-immobilized biosensor based on poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT (a) and poly(HEMA)-g-MWNT (b). Scan rate is 100 mVs-1. Phosphate buffer (pH = 7.0) is at room temperature.
(a)(b)pH also plays an important role in the sensing efficiency of the biosensor. Figure9 shows cyclic voltammograms of 0.5 mM phenol on the biosensor based on (a) poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT, (b) poly(HEMA)-g-MWNT in 50 mM phosphate buffer solution as a function of pH.  The sensing efficiency is increased with increasing pH value from 4.0 to 6.0 and then decreased with increasing pH value as shown in Figure 9(a). This means that at a low pH value, the sensing efficiency of biosensor is due to enzyme activity. In contrast with low pH value, when using pH>6.0, the sensing efficiency is rapidly decreased, while the sensitivity is similar in the range of pH=6 and 7 on tyrosinase-immobilized biosensor based on poly(HEMA)-g-MWNT as shown in Figure 9(b).Effect of pH on tyrosinase-immobilized biosensor based on poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT (a) and poly(HEMA)-g-MWNT (b) on 1.0 mM phenol.
(a)(b)The effect of temperature on the amperometric response of phenol was also studied. Before amperometric detection, the biosensor was immersed in a buffer solution at a given temperature for 10 minutes, and the CV was recorded. As shown in Figure10(a), the sensitivity is increased with increasing temperature from 20 to 60C° and then sharply decreased when the temperature is increased further.  Maximum sensitivity is attained at 60C°. At high temperatures, the sensitivity of the biosensor for phenol is sharply decreased due to the partial denaturation of the immobilized tyrosinase. Although the sensitivity was the greatest at 60C°, the study was conducted at room temperature because, first, most enzymes could be easily denaturated at high temperatures and, second, the practical application requires simple experimental procedures and long lifetime of the biosensor.  The glucosyl group is enhanced by the temperature stability for the enzyme. On the other hand, maximum sensitivity is obtained at 40C° on a biosensor based on poly(HEMA)-g-MWNT, as shown in Figure 10(b).Effect of Temperature on tyrosinase-immobilized biosensor based on poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT (a) and poly(HEMA)-g-MWNT (b) on 1.0 mM phenol.
(a)(b)


### 3.3. Total Concentration of the Phenolic Compounds in Commercial Red Wines

Three red wines, Lindemans, made in Australia, Bordeaux, made in France, and Duchessa Lia, made in Italy, were used in the analysis of phenolic amounts in wines, as described in Table1. The sensing using the biosensor based on poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT was performed in 2.0 mL red wines directly. The data obtained from red wines is compared with calibration curves obtained from phenol solution as shown in Figure 8(a).Table 1
Total concentration of phenolic compounds for commercial wines on tryanosinase-immobilized biosensor based on poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT(a).
BrandCountryCurrent density (A)Phenolic compounds (mg/L)LindemansAustralia1.97×10-568.50BordeauxFrance4.70×10-5218.5Duchessa LiaItaly9.53×10-5655.0(a) The sensing was performed in 2.0 mL commercial wine.


## 3.1. Fabrication and Characterization of Enzyme Electrodes Based on the Hydroxyl Group-Functionalized MWNT

The functionalization of MWNT is one of the most active fields in nanotube research providing an effective tool to broaden the electrochemical application spectrum of MWNT. We functionalized MWNT by a radiation-induced graft polymerization of GVPB and HEMA monomers in an aqueous solution. Figure2 shows the TEM images of the (a) purified MWNT, (b) poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT, and (c) poly(HEMA)-g-MWNT.  The diameter of the purified MWNT was 11 nm, as shown in Figure 2(a), whereas after the RIGP, the diameter was increased to 42 nm of poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT and 29 nm of poly(HEMA)-g-MWNT, as shown in Figures 2(b)–2(c). The thickness of poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT and poly(HEMA)-g-MWNT with a tubular-type morphology was 15 nm and 8.5 nm, respectively, calculated from TEM. An increase in thickness of poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT is due to the size of the glucosyl group of the grafted poly(GVPB) which is bigger than that of the hydroxyl ethyl group of the grafted poly(HEMA). The formation of tubular-type morphology is due to the following reasons: in order to perform the radiation grafting, we used vinyl monomers because they have the hydrophilic site of hydroxyl group (–OH) and hydrophobic site of vinyl group in a reactive solution (Figure 1).  The vinyl group in the monomer is faced to the surface of the MWNT because of a hydrophobic-hydrophobic interaction, while the hydroxyl group of monomers is faced in an aqueous solution because of a hydrophilic-hydrophilic interaction. When the γ-ray is applied, the radical polymerization of vinyl monomers on the surface of MWNT occurs. As a result, we can obtain tubular functionalized MWNT through a one-step reaction. We can immobilize the enzyme to the functional group of the MWNT surface by physical adsorption, and we can also use the MWNT as an electron transfer material in order to increase biosensor sensitivity.TEM images of the purified MWNT (a), poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT (b), and poly(HEMA)-g-MWNT (c).
(a)(b)(c)Figure3 shows the TGA curves of (a) the purified MWNT, (b) poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT, and (c) poly(HEMA)-g-MWNT prepared by RIGP. The 1st weight loss (%) from 50C° to 300C° for a vinyl polymer-graft MWNT appeared to be due to a loss of moisture because of the hydrophilic properties of the grafted vinyl polymer.  The 2nd weight loss (%) appeared in the range of 300–500C° due to the grafted vinyl polymer weight loss. The results show that the graft yields (%) were in the range of 25–30 % after the RIGP of vinyl monomers.Figure 3
TGA curves of the purified MWNT (a), poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT (b), and poly(HEMA)-g-MWNT (c).Figures4 and 5 show SEM and AFM-3D images of the tyrosinase-immobilized biosensor based on the functionalized MWNT: (a) Surface of the ITO electrode, (b) chitosan-coated ITO, (c) tyrosinase-immobilized chitosan-ITO electrode, and (d) a tyrosinase-immobilized biosensor based on poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT.  The surface of the ITO is a flat form (Figure 4(a)), whereas the film of chitosan as the binder appeared flat but amorphous so that it resembles a typical polymer form, as shown in Figure 4(b).  In contrast, the composite film with poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT has irregular curved peaks, as shown in Figure 4(c). The glucosyl group of poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT in a composite film can be immobilized by the tyrosinase and as a result, the sensitivity can be increased for ethanol. After the immobilization of tyrosinase on the MWNT-based composite film, the morphology of the composite film is changed, as shown in Figure 4(d).  As a result, we successfully immobilized the tyrosinase using a hydroxyl group-modified MWNT. In the AFM-3D image, after the immobilization of tyrosinase onto the MWNT-based composite film, the surface morphology has a very smooth form, as shown in Figure 5(d), compared to that of the composite film in Figure 5(c) due to the morphology of the immobilized tyrosinase.SEM images of the surface of ITO glass (a), chitosan-coated ITO (b), tyrosinase-immobilized chitosan-ITO electrode (c), and tyrosinase-immobilized biosensor based on poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT (d).
(a)(b)(c)(d)AFM 3-D images (5μm scale) of the surface of ITO glass (a), chitosan-coated ITO (b), tyrosinase-immobilized chitosan-ITO electrode (c), and tyrosinase-immobilized biosensor based on poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT (d).
(a)(b)(c)(d)In order to determine the biosensor sensitivity, we designed four biosensors with and without the functionalized MWNT. Figure6 shows the cyclic voltammograms of 0.5 mM phenol in 50 mM phosphate buffer solution using (a) an ITO electrode with tyrosinase, (b) an electrode with pure MWNT-tyrosinase, and (c) the biosensor based on poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT.  The potential was scanned between -1.0 and 0.75 versus Ag/AgCl at a scan rate of 100 mVs-1. The oxidation peak at -0.3 V and low-reduction peak at 0.3 V on the biosensor are based on poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT, as shown in Figures 6(c) and 7.  This peak represents the production of catechol or o-quinone from the enzymatic reaction in phosphate solution. In other words, tyrosinase is a copper-containing monooxygenase enzyme that catalyses conversion of phenolic substrates to catechol and then o-quinone as follows:(1)phenol+tyrosinase(O2)→catechol,catecohol+tyrosinase(O2)→o-quinone+H2O,o-quinone+H++2e-→catechol.Figure 6
Cyclic voltammetry responses of 1.0 mM phenol using tyrosinase-immobilized ITO electrode (a), tyrosinase-immobilized electrode based on purified MWNT (b), and tyrosinase-immobilized biosensor based on GVPB-g-MWNT (c) in 50 mM phosphate buffer solution with a scan rate 100 mV/s.Cyclic voltammetry responses of tyrosinase-immobilized biosensor based on  poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT in 1.0 mM phenolic compounds. Scan rate is 100 mVs-1. Phosphate buffer (pH = 7.0) is at room temperature.
(a)(b)


## 3.2. Optimization of the Prepared Biosensor

Selectivity is a very important factor in the biosensor; so four compounds ( phenol,p-cresol, catechol, and gallic acid) were detected based on poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT in a 50 mM phosphate buffer solution (pH = 7.0). In the p-cresol and gallic acid solution, there are no redox peaks using the biosensor, as shown in Figure 7(b). Serra et al. [16] reported that the different sensitivity was observed for phenolic compounds with different positions in an enzymatic reaction.  The metaposition phenol (m-cresol) appears as the high response sensitivity more than ortho- and paraposition phenols in an enzymatic reaction due to a high affinity with tyrosinase.  Also shown in Figure 7, the high response peak of phenol appears more than that of p-cresol, catecohol, and gallic acid because of its enzymatic specificity.  For catechol, the oxidation peak is at -0.3 V and the reduction peak is 0.3 V, and the high response peak appears to be more than that of p-cresol. Tsai et al. [17] have reported that p-catechol appears to have a greater sensitivity response than that of dopamine and epinephrine.The electrochemical biosensing of phenol was performed under optimal experimental conditions. Figure8 shows the cyclic voltammograms of phenol on biosensor based on (a) poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT, and (b) poly(HEMA)-g-MWNT in 50 mM phosphate buffer solution (pH = 7.0) as function of phenol concentration. When using the poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT biosensor, the sensing range of phenol was from 0.6 to 7.0 mM concentration, as shown in Figure 8(a), whereas the sensing range of the biosensor based on poly(HEMA)-g-MWNT for phenol was in the range of 0.05–0.35 mM concentration as shown in Figure 8(b).  The sensitivity and apparent Michaelies-Menten constant (KMapp) of the biosensor based on poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT was 0.13 A (molL-1)-1 and 54.9 mmolL-1, respectively.  The sensitivity and KMapp of biosensor prepared by poly(HEMA)-g-MWNT was estimated to be 0.21 A (molL-1)-1 and 0.30 mmolL-1, respectively. The KMapp values were lower than those reported for free enzymes in a solution, which was estimated to be at 700 μmolL-1 as a substrate [18].  Such low KMapp values may be ascribed to the high concentration of tyrosinase on the biosensor. Additionally, the functionalized MWNT in a composite film may have increased the enzyme catalytic sites access to substrate molecules.Calibration curves for phenol concentration on the tyrosinase-immobilized biosensor based on poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT (a) and poly(HEMA)-g-MWNT (b). Scan rate is 100 mVs-1. Phosphate buffer (pH = 7.0) is at room temperature.
(a)(b)pH also plays an important role in the sensing efficiency of the biosensor. Figure9 shows cyclic voltammograms of 0.5 mM phenol on the biosensor based on (a) poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT, (b) poly(HEMA)-g-MWNT in 50 mM phosphate buffer solution as a function of pH.  The sensing efficiency is increased with increasing pH value from 4.0 to 6.0 and then decreased with increasing pH value as shown in Figure 9(a). This means that at a low pH value, the sensing efficiency of biosensor is due to enzyme activity. In contrast with low pH value, when using pH>6.0, the sensing efficiency is rapidly decreased, while the sensitivity is similar in the range of pH=6 and 7 on tyrosinase-immobilized biosensor based on poly(HEMA)-g-MWNT as shown in Figure 9(b).Effect of pH on tyrosinase-immobilized biosensor based on poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT (a) and poly(HEMA)-g-MWNT (b) on 1.0 mM phenol.
(a)(b)The effect of temperature on the amperometric response of phenol was also studied. Before amperometric detection, the biosensor was immersed in a buffer solution at a given temperature for 10 minutes, and the CV was recorded. As shown in Figure10(a), the sensitivity is increased with increasing temperature from 20 to 60C° and then sharply decreased when the temperature is increased further.  Maximum sensitivity is attained at 60C°. At high temperatures, the sensitivity of the biosensor for phenol is sharply decreased due to the partial denaturation of the immobilized tyrosinase. Although the sensitivity was the greatest at 60C°, the study was conducted at room temperature because, first, most enzymes could be easily denaturated at high temperatures and, second, the practical application requires simple experimental procedures and long lifetime of the biosensor.  The glucosyl group is enhanced by the temperature stability for the enzyme. On the other hand, maximum sensitivity is obtained at 40C° on a biosensor based on poly(HEMA)-g-MWNT, as shown in Figure 10(b).Effect of Temperature on tyrosinase-immobilized biosensor based on poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT (a) and poly(HEMA)-g-MWNT (b) on 1.0 mM phenol.
(a)(b)


## 3.3. Total Concentration of the Phenolic Compounds in Commercial Red Wines

Three red wines, Lindemans, made in Australia, Bordeaux, made in France, and Duchessa Lia, made in Italy, were used in the analysis of phenolic amounts in wines, as described in Table1. The sensing using the biosensor based on poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT was performed in 2.0 mL red wines directly. The data obtained from red wines is compared with calibration curves obtained from phenol solution as shown in Figure 8(a).Table 1
Total concentration of phenolic compounds for commercial wines on tryanosinase-immobilized biosensor based on poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT(a).
BrandCountryCurrent density (A)Phenolic compounds (mg/L)LindemansAustralia1.97×10-568.50BordeauxFrance4.70×10-5218.5Duchessa LiaItaly9.53×10-5655.0(a) The sensing was performed in 2.0 mL commercial wine.


## 4. Conclusion

In this study, the tyrosinase-immobilized biosensor based on poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT and poly(HEMA)-g-MWNT was prepared by radiation-induced graft polymerization. The sensing range of the biosensor for phenol was in the range of 0.6~7.0 mM and 0.05~0.35 mM concentration, respectively. The biosensor was optimized for pH, temperature, and other phenolic compounds  in the determination of phenolics in commercial red wines. As a result, the amounts of phenolic compounds in commercial red wines are in the range of 68.50~655.0 mg/L which were calculated from a calibration curve of phenol on a biosensor based on poly(GVPB)-g-MWNT, as shown in Figure 8(a). Ten-times the amount of phenolic compounds in the Duchessa Lia was contained and compared to that of Lindemans. The conclusion is that high amounts of phenolic compounds in Duchessa Lia are responsible for the bitter taste of the red wine.



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*Source: 916515-2009-12-28.xml*