The electrocatalytic reduction of organohalides by myoglobin and hemoglobin in a biomembrane-like film and its application to the electrochemical detection of pollutants: new trends and discussion

In this study, we go into the examination and the discussion of the possibl e use of myoglobin (Mb) and hemoglobin (Hb) embedded in surfactant films of didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB) as potential materials for the ef fective electrochemical activation and detection of several organohalides ( trichloroacetic acid (TCA), ethylene dibromide (EDB), tetrachloroethylene ( PCE), trichloroethylene (TCE), dichloroacetic acid (DCA) etc.), in aqueous solution. Our descriptive results of the electrocatalytic behavior of DDAB/ Mb and DDAB/Hb, films constitute the first important step in the investigat ion of the evaluation of a strategy materializing the use of these heme-bas ed enzymes for the detection of various significant organohalide derivative s. Limitations relative to the design of a suitable electrochemical sensor of organohalide pollutants are also discussed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S. A. All rights reserved.