Polyazine nanoparticles as anchors of PQQ glucose dehydrogenase for its most efficient bioelectrocatalysis

We report on the drop-cast production of glucose biosensors based on the most efficient bioelectrocatalysis by pyrroloquinoline quinone dependent glucose dehydrogenase (PQQ GDH). To orient the enzyme upon immobilization we suggest using poly(Methylene Green) (p(MG)) nanoparticles acting as anchors. Synthesis of polymeric anchors has been carried out in course of Methylene Green electropolymerization, which allowed to tune polymer-to-monomer ratio in the drop-cast mixtures varying the monomer concentration and applying different number of potential sweep cycles. Except for elimination of electrochemical step for the electrode modification, opening the prospects for mass-production, the use of drop-cast enzyme anchors provides advantageous characteristics of the resulting biosensors. Catalytic current of PQQ GDH immobilized over p(MG) nanoparticles obtained in optimal conditions is increased only 2–2.5 times after addition of the freely diffusing mediator. Obviously, the lowest ratio of mediated-to-reagentless current points to the most efficient bioelectrocatalysis. The obtained ratio is 2.5 times lower than that for biosensors based on electropolymerized p(MG) films and practically an order of magnitude lower than that for the best reagentless sensors based on PQQ GDH immobilized over conductive nanomaterials. The achieved most efficient bioelectrocatalysis provides high sensitivity of the elaborated biosensors even at 0.0 V potential, which allows to operate them in power generation mode and control relative sweat glucose variation as a tool for non-invasive diabetes monitoring.