Preparation of voltammetric biosensor for tryptophan using multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were grown by chemical vapor deposition. The effect of the composition of carbon paste electrode on its voltammograms was evaluated in basic solution with 5.0×10−5 M tryptophan (Trp). It was found that addition of MWCNTs to the carbon paste would generate the peak current of Trp because of its catalytic effect on the redox process. The pH strongly affects the peak potential of Trp. The best analytical response was obtained at pH 13.0. The anodic peak currents were proportional to Trp concentrations in the range of 1.0×10−9−1.0×10−4 M under the optimized experimental conditions. The detection limit was 2.2×10−10 M. The effect of potential scan rate on the peak potential and peak current of tryptophan was investigated. The correlation of the peak currents against v1/2 (v is the scan rate) is linear, which is very similar to a diffusion-controlled process. The proposed biosensor was applied to the determination of Trp in pharmaceuticals formulations successfully.