Development of biosensors for phenol compounds utilizing Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett films containing laccase

Abstract

In this Project, we intend to create a biosensor that detects and quantifies phenol compounds, utilizing Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett films of lipids (octadecylamine, cholesterol) and the conductive polymer Poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) with the enzyme laccase and carbon nanotubes functionalized with octadecylamine (CNT-ODA). This technique could allow us to investigate the physicochemical properties of the systems created and possible applications for phenol compound detection. Beyond using classical characterization technics for nanostructured films (tensiometry, surface potential measurements, rheological analysis, Brewster angle microscopy, and AFM images), we intend to use cyclic voltammetry to evaluate the catalytic response of laccase towards phenol compounds (electronic tongue). To evaluate the functionality of the biosensor, selectivity, and capability, we intend to use the Principaal Component Analysis (PCA), a non-supervised multivariate method, to analyze the voltammetric results. In this sense, we intend to enhance our knowledge of the molecular interactions involving related-laccase applications in different matrices, such as biosensor platforms. (AU)