The inhibition effect of the selected heavy metals (Ag+, Cd2+, Cu2+, and Hg2+) on glucose oxidase (GOx) enzyme from Aspergillus niger (EC 1.1.3.4.) was studied using a new amperometric biosensor with an electrochemical transducer based on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) covered with a thin layer of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) incorporated with ruthenium(IV) oxide as a redox mediator. Direct adsorption of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and subsequent covering with Nafion® layer was used for immobilization of GOx. The analytical figures of merit of the developed glucose (Glc) biosensor are sufficient for determination of Glc in body fluids in clinical analysis. From all tested heavy metals, mercury(II) has the highest inhibition effect. However, it is necessary to remember that cadmium and silver ions also significantly inhibit the catalytic activity of GOx. Therefore, the development of GOx biosensors for selective indirect determination of each heavy metal still represents a challenge in the field of bioelectroanalysis. It can be concluded that amperometric biosensors, differing in the utilized enzyme, could find their application in the toxicity studies of various poisons.

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A new voltammetric method for simultaneous determination of caffeine and pyridoxine present in different types of commercial energy drinks has been developed. This electroanalytical method is based on anodic oxidation of these biologically active nitrogen‐containing heterocycles at glassy carbon electrode covered with thin layer of sulfonated fluoropolymer Nafion® using differential pulse voltammetry in 0.1 M Britton‐Robinson buffer of pH 4.5 at potential step 5 mV, potential amplitude 70 mV, and scan rate 50 mV/s. Linear ranges for caffeine and pyridoxine determination were 63.1–600 μM and 7.5–200 μM with the detection limits of 18.9 and 2.2 μM, respectively. It was validated using high‐performance liquid chromatography with spectrophotometric detection. Obtained results have shown that voltammetric approach is very simple and low‐cost analytical method which can be used for routine determination of caffeine and pyridoxine in energy drinks.

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