A stable glucose sensor with direct electron transfer, based on glucose dehydrogenase and chitosan hydro bonded multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Direct electron transfer (DET) glucose sensors are third-generation biosensors, which allow the enzyme to directly transfer electrons by glucose oxidation without a mediator. In previous studies, many researchers have focused on the glucose oxidase (GOx)-based DET glucose sensor; however, an efficient DET glucose sensor using flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)-glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) has not been developed. In the present study, we bound FAD-GDH and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), using chitosan (CS) compounds that support hydrogen bonding, van der Waals forces, and 3D structural adsorption. The GDH/CS-MWCNT-5 composite, which had a GDH concentration of 75 wt%, was physically adsorbed on screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs), and cyclic voltammetry indicated that its oxidation and reduction peaks were at − 0.422 V and − 0.543 V (vs Ag/AgCl), respectively. In addition, the electrochemical results confirmed that the prepared GDH/CS-MWCNT/SPCEs were not affected by other interfering substances or oxygen at pH of 7. The GDH/CS-MWCNT/SPCEs displayed oxidation catalytic currents, which increased according to glucose concentrations across a range of 0–5.5 mM. Finally, the short-term stability of glucose, assessed for 10 days, was maintained at 80% of the GDH enzyme activity for 6 days, and it reduced to 50% of the initial activity for the remaining 4 days. Here, we illustrate the potential utility of the FAD-GDH-based DET method in continuous glucose monitoring sensors. Diagram of the GDH/CS-MWCNT fabrication process and glucose sensing • CS-MWCNTs were conjugated with FAD-GDH by hydrogen bonding. • CS-MWCNTs were optimized with GDH for DET glucose sensing. • GDH/CS-MWCNT showed good response with glucose under interfering substances.