Enzyme-embedded electrospun fiber sensor of hydrophilic polymer for fluorometric ethanol gas imaging in vapor phase

• Published in: Biosensors & bioelectronics 2022-10, Vol.213, p.114453-114453, Article 114453
• Main Authors: Iitani, Kenta, Nakaya, Misa, Tomono, Tsubomi, Toma, Koji, Arakawa, Takahiro, Tsuchido, Yuji, Mitsubayashi, Kohji, Takeda, Naoya
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Electrospun fiber; Enzymatic biosensor; Fluorescence imaging; Gas sensor; Hydrophilic polymer
• ISSN: 0956-5663; 1873-4235
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2022.114453

Non-invasive measurement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from living organisms is a powerful technique for diagnosing health conditions or diseases in humans. Bio-based gas sensors are suitable for the sensitive and selective measurement of a target VOC from a complex mixture of VOCs. Conventional bio-based sensors are normally prepared as wet-type probes to maintain proteins such as enzymes in a stable state, resulting in limitations in the commercialization of sensors, their operating environment, and performance. In this study, we present an enzyme-based fluorometric electrospun fiber sensor (eFES) mesh as a gas-phase biosensor in dry form. The eFES mesh targeting ethanol was fabricated by simple one-step electrospinning of polyvinyl alcohol with an alcohol dehydrogenase and an oxidized form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. The enzyme embedded in the eFES mesh worked actively in a dry state without pretreatment. Substrate specificity was also maintained, and the sensor responded well to ethanol with a sufficient dynamic range. Adjustment of the pH and coenzyme quantity in the eFES mesh also affected enzyme activity. The dry-form biosensor—eFES mesh—will open a new direction for gas-phase biosensors because of its remarkable performance and simple fabrication, which is advantageous for commercialization. [Display omitted]