Immobilization of tyrosinase in polysiloxane/polypyrrole copolymer matrices

Immobilization of tyrosinase in conducting copolymer matrices of pyrrole functionalized polydimethylsiloxane/polypyrrole (PDMS/PPy) was achieved by electrochemical polymerization. The polysiloxane/polypyrrole/tyrosinase electrode was constructed by the entrapment of enzyme in conducting matrices during electrochemical copolymerization. Maximum reaction rate (Vmax) and Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) were investigated for immobilized enzyme. Enzyme electrodes were prepared in two different electrolyte/solvent systems. The effect of supporting electrolytes, p-toluene sulfonic acid and sodium dodecyl sulfate on the enzyme activity and film morphology were determined. Temperature and pH optimization, operational stability and shelf-life of enzyme electrodes were also examined. Phenolic contents of green and black tea were determined by using enzyme electrodes.