Determination of phenols in environmentally relevant matrices with the useof liquid chromatography with an enzyme electrode detector

A simple and rapid assay using HPLC with a tyrosinase-containing carbon pas te electrode (Tyr-CPE) detector is demonstrated for the detection of phenol , p-cresol, p-methoxyphenol, and p-chlorophenol in environmental matrices. These compounds were measured in contaminated aqueous soil leachate samples or acetone/acetonitrile extracts of soil and sludge samples. The dynamic r ange for this assay was 2-30 ppm for phenol and p-cresol, In addition to an alysis by the Tyr-CPE detector held at a reducing potential (-0.20 V), soil leachate and extracts were analyzed with the use of a carbon paste electro de (CPE) detector at oxidizing potentials (+1.0 V or +1.2 V), Compared to t he CPE, the Tyr-CPE detector was very stable, showing a signal loss of only 28% over 24 h of continuous operation. In addition, the signal from the CP E degraded rapidly by 65% over 10 sequential injections, whereas the signal of the Tyr-CPE decreased by only 5% for the same number of sequential inje ctions. Because of the minimal sample preparation for analysis of soil leac hate samples, the herein-reported chromatographic system with biosensor det ector could be further developed to complement portable tyrosinase enzyme e lectrode biosensors that detect total phenols in field settings. (C) 1999 J ohn Wiley & Sons, Inc.