An electrochemical sensor based on polyaniline for monitoring hydroquinone and its damage on DNA

A dsDNA/PANI/CTS/GCE biosensor was constructed by using the biocompatible chitosan (CTS) and the polyaniline (PANI) with excellent electric catalytic properties and large specific surface areas. The electrochemical behavior of hydroquinone on biosensor and its DNA-damaging mechanisms were investigated. Results showed that the redox peak current was remarkably increased after glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was modified by PANI/CTS. The dsDNA damage by hydroquinone was concentration dependent, and increased along with the increase of hydroquinone oxidation peak current and the reduction of dsDNA guanine oxidation peak current. The linear detection range of hydroquinone with dsDNA/PANI/CTS/GCE was 1.25×10−6–3.2×10−4 M, and the detection limit was 9.65×10−7 M. It was confirmed by the UV method that applying dsDNA/PANI/CTS/GCE to monitor hydroquinone was accurate and reliable. In addition, it could be deduced that the mode of interaction between the hydroquinone and dsDNA was intercalation. The electrochemical oxidation of hydroquinone on the dsDNA/PANI/CTS/GCE electrode was an adsorption-controlled irreversible and a two-electron two-proton transfer process.