Electrochemical and spectral study on the effects of Al(III) and nano-Al13 species on glutamate dehydrogenase activity

A functionalized multi-wall nanotube (MWNT) modified glass carbon electrode (GCE) was used to study the effects of aluminum species on glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) activity by monitoring amperometric i-t curve for the oxidation of the enzymatically generated NADH. The conformational changes of the coenzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) induced by Al(III) and nanometer-sized tridecameric aluminum polycation (nano-Al13) were investigated by the fluorescence technique. The results showed that the electrochemical method may be a potential tool to investigate the activity of enzymes in the biological system. It may also be useful in studying the effects of nano-sized aluminum compounds on biomolecules in order to discuss their safety to the environment and human.