Enzymatic reactions for the calorimetric detection of phenolic compounds

This study furnished results on the enzymatic detection of phenolic compoun ds by means of a miniaturized heat-flow calorimeter (IC-calorimeter). Two e nzymes were used: tyrosinase and peroxidase. Additionally to the investigat ions with the IC-calorimeter, measurements were carried out with a classica l reaction calorimeter (LKB 8700) for the very slow reactions with tyrosina se. By way of contrast, the reactions with peroxidase are fast and seem mor e suitable for sensor application. The detection limit for the investigated phenolic compounds is of the order of 1 mmol l(-1).