Investigation of carbon nanofibers as support for bioactive substances

J Mater Sci Mater Med. 2009 Jan;20(1):177-83. doi: 10.1007/s10856-008-3550-y. Epub 2008 Aug 16.

Abstract

In this paper we have studied the adsorption properties of various bio-active systems onto the surface of carbon nanofibers (CNF) synthesized by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Amino acids (alanine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid) and glucose oxidase (GOx) were adsorbed on CNF and the results were compared with those obtained when activated carbon (AC) was used as support. CNF and AC properties (hydrophilic or hydrophobic properties) were characterized by the pH value, the concentration of acidic/basic sites and by naphthalene adsorption. CNF with immobilized GOx was additionally investigated as a highly sensitive glucose biosensor. An amperometric method was used in an original manner to detect the changes in the specific activity of GOx, immobilized longer time on CNF. The method demonstrates that not the whole enzyme adsorbed onto CNF can catalyze the oxidation of glucose from the solution.

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption
  • Amino Acids / chemistry
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry*
  • Biosensing Techniques
  • Carbon / chemistry*
  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible / chemistry
  • Enzymes, Immobilized / chemistry
  • Enzymes, Immobilized / metabolism
  • Glucose Oxidase / chemistry
  • Glucose Oxidase / metabolism
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Nanostructures / ultrastructure

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible
  • Enzymes, Immobilized
  • Carbon
  • Glucose Oxidase