ENZYME-REACTIONS IN THE PRESENCE OF CYCLODEXTRINS - BIOSENSORS AND ENZYME ASSAYS

Cyclodextrins, macrocyclic carbohydrates with apolar internal cavities , can form complexes with, and solubilize many normally water-insolubl e compounds. Ferrocene and its derivatives, tetrathiafulvalene and tet ramethylbenzidine, can function as redox mediators, but are insoluble in water; when they are complexed with cyclodextrins, they can be used in enzymatic assays and in the construction of mediated biosensors. I n addition, the solubilization of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (P AHs), including the potent carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene, by cyclodextrins has enabled the detection of these important environmental contaminan ts.