A new enzyme electrode based on ascorbate oxidase immobilized in gelatin for specific determination of l-ascorbic acid

A biosensor for the specific determination of l-ascorbic acid in fruit juices and vitamin C tablets was developed using ascorbate oxidase (EC 1.10.3.3) from cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in combination with a dissolved oxygen probe. Ascorbate oxidase immobilized with gelatin using glutaraldehyde and fixed on pretreated teflon membrane served as an enzyme electrode. The phosphate buffer (50 mM, pH 7.5) and 35°C were established as providing the optimum conditions. The biosensor response depends linearly on l-ascorbic acid concentration between 5.0×10−5 and 1.2×10−3 M with a response time 45 s. The biosensor is stable for more than 2 months, while more than 200 assays were performed. The results obtained for fruit juices and tablets were compared with DCIP (2,6 dichlorophenolindophenol) method.