Lipid Based Enzyme Electrodes for Environmental Pollution Control

A general survey of the modification of electrodes by lipids and proteins (enzymes) for potential application in environmental analysis is considered. Advantages of mixing both lipids and enzymes in the matrix of the carbon paste electrode are highlighted. Mercury, and noble metal electrodes may spontaneously adsorb lipids giving rise to organized membrane like structures. The latter are obtained by lipid vesicle fusion, by pre-formed films or by a “painting” technique. The resulting supported lipid bilayer membranes (sBLM) may insert proteins and enzymes either spontaneously, by chemical reactions, or by formation of a complex with polyelectrolytes. Examples from the literature are reviewed.