Electrochemical and spectral study on the effects of Al(III) and nano-Al13 species on glutamate dehydrogenase activity

A functionalized multi-wall nanotube (MWNT) modified glass carbon electrode (GCE) was used to study the effects of aluminum species on glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) activity by monitoring amperometric i–t curve for the oxidation of the enzymatically generated NADH. The conformational changes of the coenzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) induced by Al(III) and nanometer-sized tridecameric aluminum polycation (nano-Al13) were investigated by the fluorescence technique. The results showed that the electrochemical method may be a potential tool to investigate the activity of enzymes in the biological system. It may also be useful in studying the effects of nano-sized aluminum compounds on biomolecules in order to discuss their safety to the environment and human.