A stable and selective electrochemical biosensor for the liver enzyme alanine aminotransferase (ALT)

Biosens Bioelectron. 2009 May 15;24(9):2926-30. doi: 10.1016/j.bios.2009.02.032. Epub 2009 Mar 11.

Abstract

An electrochemical method to determine alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity over its normal and elevated physiological range was developed based upon detection of L-glutamate at a glutamate oxidase-modified platinum electrode. Measurements were carried out in the presence of ALT co-substrates L-alanine and alpha-ketoglutarate and current response from either the oxidation of hydrogen peroxide or the re-oxidation of the mediator ferrocene carboxylic acid was employed. The enzyme electrode was tested over a 6-month period and found to retain 79% of its original activity towards ALT detection with >200 measurements performed over this time. Signals associated with interfering electroactive species (ascorbic acid and uric acid) were eliminated using background subtraction at a denatured glutamate oxidase enzyme electrode. The sensitivity of the device was found to be 0.845 nA U(-1) L ALT with t(90)=180 s, linear range 10-1000 U L(-1) and LOD of 3.29 U L(-1) using amperometry at E(app)=0.4 V vs. Ag/AgCl at 308 K (35 degrees C).

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alanine / metabolism
  • Alanine Transaminase / analysis*
  • Alanine Transaminase / metabolism
  • Amino Acid Oxidoreductases / metabolism*
  • Biosensing Techniques / economics
  • Biosensing Techniques / methods*
  • Enzymes, Immobilized / metabolism
  • Ferrous Compounds / metabolism
  • Glutamic Acid / analysis*
  • Glutamic Acid / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / metabolism
  • Ketoglutaric Acids / metabolism
  • Liver / enzymology
  • Metallocenes
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Platinum / chemistry*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Enzymes, Immobilized
  • Ferrous Compounds
  • Ketoglutaric Acids
  • Metallocenes
  • ferrocenecarboxylic acid
  • Glutamic Acid
  • Platinum
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Amino Acid Oxidoreductases
  • L-glutamate oxidase
  • Alanine Transaminase
  • Alanine