A Split-Flow Enzyme Thermistor

Abstract

Abstract The split-flow system is comprised of two identical micro-columns, one of which contains an immobilized enzyme preparation, the other an inert support material. The heat produced in each column on introduction of a sample is measured with thermistors placed in these columns. The use of a reference column virtually eliminates the influence on the measurements of artifactual signals as unspecific heat, i.e., heat not produced by the enzymic reaction. The performance of the split-flow enzyme thermistor at a variety of pH's, ionic strengths or viscosities associated with the sample has been investigated and compared with previously described alternative enzyme thermistor arrangements. In this comparative study glucose at a concentration of 5 · 10−4 M was used throughout. On passage through the imnobilized glucose oxidase preparation this solution gave rise to a heat change At of about 0.01°C. The insensitivity of the system described herein towards such variations makes it particularly suitable for the analysis of metabolities present in crude solutions such as urine and skim-milk.