Production of enzymatic biosensors and application to the quantification of phenolic compounds in synthetic body fluids

• Grant number: 22/09183-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2022
• End date: August 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Andreia de Araújo Morandim
• Grantee: Mariana Pontes Vieira
• Host Institution: Centro Universitário FEI (UNIFEI). Campus de São Bernardo do Campo. São Bernardo do Campo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Studies related to the production and application of biosensors in the medical field have grown significantly in recent years, especially those related to the quantification of compounds involved in triggering a lot of health problems such as epinephrine, dopamine, and vitamin B6, among others. Therefore, the development of devices capable of quantifying these compounds in body fluids will enable, in the future, the control of various diseases related to dysfunctions in the adrenal, renal, hormonal, cardiovascular, and central nervous systems. In this context, considering the applicability of biosensors, especially the enzymatic ones, during the development of this project will be optimized the conditions of production of an enzymatic biosensor in which will be used the enzyme laccase obtained from the fungus Xilaria sp. isolated from cassava leaves. For this, initially, the ideal condition to produce the laccase by the fungus will be optimized, varying the pH, the fermentation time, and temperature. Subsequently, the pre-purification of the enzyme will be performed and the ideal conditions of use of the laccase from the fungus Xilaria sp. will be determined to produce biosensors aiming the application in the quantification of epinephrine and dopamine. In this way, a study will be carried out to determine the ideal concentration of laccase in the biosensors, detection capacity as well as an evaluation of the need for total purification of the enzyme to produce the biocomponent aiming at the reduction of the production cost of biosensors. The quantification data obtained will be compared with the quantification data obtained via HPLC.(AU)