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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #172436
Title: SPECTROSCOPIC AND ELECTROCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF BIOCATALYTIC ELECTRODE SURFACES

Author
item Compton, David - Dave
item Laszlo, Joseph
item KIMBERLIN, KEVIN - BRADLEY UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/2/2004
Publication Date: 10/2/2004
Citation: Compton, D.L., Laszlo, J.A., Kimberlin, K. 2004. Spectroscopic and electrochemical characterization of biocatalytic electrode surfaces.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Our project focuses on developing novel devices using electron-transfer enzymes immobilized on electrodes to transform vegetable oils to new and useful products for nutritional, pharmaceutical and industrial uses. These devices could be used to impart higher-value functionality (desaturation, hydroxylation, epoxidation, etc.) to the fatty acid groups of oils from corn and soybean. The increased value of the oil products will increase the profitability of farmers and grain processors. The use of isolated, immobilized electron-transfer enzymes for chemical synthesis is relatively new and suffers from some technical limitations. The enzymes of interest cannot be directly immobilized onto electrode (metal) surfaces, but instead are anchored to the metal using organic tethers. Preliminary studies have identified several organic tethers, which are deposited as mixtures on the electrodes to form suitable surfaces for enzyme immobilization. To date the deposited organic monolayers have not been rigorously characterized, thus their composition and topography are unknown. The goal of this collaborative research is to unambiguously quantify the composition and spatial homogeneity of the absorbed organic tethers. We will use this information to design organic monolayers that optimize the immobilization of enzymes and their catalytic (electron-transfer) activity. The results of this research will be used to guide the future design and construction of immobilized enzyme-electrode devises that could be used to transform commodity vegetable oils into new, higher-value nutriceutical, pharmaceutical, and industrial products.