Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche, Università Tor Vergata

Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Rome

Amperometric biosensors for the measurement of biogenic amines in fish and fruit samples, of lactulose in milk and of glycerol in wine have been developed.

The covalent immobilization of enzymes as diamine oxidase (amines), b -galactosidase + fructose dehydrogenase (lactulose) and glycerokinase + glycerol-3-P oxidase (glycerol) has been carried out onto polymeric supports for the realization of enzyme membranes or onto glass beads for the realisation of enzyme reactors. Pt working electrodes were used as electrochemical trasducers. For most of the biogenic amines, lactulose and glycerol a linear response uo to 5 x 10^-4 / 10^-3 mol/L was obtained with RSD < 5%. Sensitivity was suitable for measurement in food samples. The biosensors were used to monitor biogenic amines production in salted anchovy samples, to measure biogenic amines content in modified amosphere packaged fruits, to determine lactulose in milk samples and to follow glycerol production during alcoholic fermentation. Recovery studies and/or comparison with reference procedures demonstrated that the biosensors can be used for food quality control.