Amperometric detection of phenolic compounds with enzyme immobilized in mesoporous silica prepared by electrophoretic deposition

Laccase was immobilized in mesoporous silica powder with a 7.0 nm pore diameter (FSM7.0) coated onto a glassy carbon electrode using an electrophoretic deposition technique, and the electrode was then applied to the amperometric detection of catechol, which is a typical phenolic compound. The behavior of a biosensor attached to the electrode was examined in terms of pH, applied potential, sensitivity and operational range, selectivity, and storage stability. The sensor showed an optimum response at a pH of 5.0 and at an applied potential of −50 mV. The determination range and the response time for catechol were 2.0–100 μM and approximately 2 min, respectively. In addition, the sensor was quite stable and retained its initial response without notable change after being stored for over 50 days. This result suggests that our method is quite useful for the fabrication of a high-performance biosensor for practical use.