BIOENZINIT

Biosensors based on covalently immobilised on polymers enzymes for the monitoring of nitrates and nitrites from waters for human consumption

Monitoring of the characteristics of water for human consumption.

The coating of different electrode materials (Pt, vitreous carbon, planar imprinted electrodes) with polypyrrole films was achieved by various methods. The film permittivity was assessed in the presence of the redox couple ferrocyanure /ferricyanure. The electro analytical characterization of coated films was achieved by chronoamperometry in the presence of Horse radish peroxidase enzyme, immobilized on polymer film. Using graphite planar imprinted electrodes modified with peroxidase entrapped in polypyrrole film it was proved the existence of the interactions between the immobilized enzyme and electro active species of the pollutant.

It was studied the electrochemical behavior of nitrates/nitrites in the reduction/oxidation electrochemical processes on various electrode materials at different pH values. Both electrochemical processes were favored by low pH values. The influence of various parameters (electrolyte, electrode material and pH) on the reduction/oxidation electrochemical processes was studied by cyclic voltametry, targeting the establishment of optimal experimental conditions.

The results show that the laboratory technologies may be used for the entrapment of nitrate reductase in polypyrrole films coated on the planar imprinted electrodes surface, for the characterization of the new obtained biosensors and for their testing in various matrices (water for human consumption, environment samples, foods and drugs)

Laboratory research

The obtaining of enzymatic biosensors allows the monitoring in real time of the nitrates and nitrites concentration in water for human consumption.

There is a Romanian Patent application for the covalent immobilization of enzymes on polypyrrole. The subsequent researches will allow the obtaining of other patents, for biosensors.

The results may by transferred, after supplementary researches at micro pilot or pilot scale, to some economical agents producing biosensors.

Biosensors producing SMEs.

These biosensors could be bought by the water pollutants monitoring organizations.

Research continuation especially on electrochemical and electronic side, product design and the prototype achievement.

Participation in the researches at pilot scale for the optimization of the biosensor concerning electrochemistry, electronics and soft and the prototype achievement.

First it is intended a technical cooperation, in the framework of a research project and depending on the obtained results, it is intended to conclude a commercial agreement for technical assistance for the production of the biosensors

Researches during 8 months are needed at laboratory and pilot scale with the appropriate financial resources for ICECHIM, UMF- Clus and the SME. The best will be an innovation project or a Eurostar project. The value for research organization is about 350.000 RON

The costs for testing and for improvement will be supported from the above mentioned projects.