Sol-gel-encapsulated alcohol dehydrogenase as a versatile, environmentally stabilized sensor for alcohols and aldehydes

Sol-gel-encapsulation technology of fragile molecules and biomolecules such as enzymes/coenzymes in clear, porous silicate matrices has been successfully demonstrated. The inherent alcohol-plus-aldehyde dual response capacity of the silicate-encapsulated yeast alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme/cofactor combination to transform irreversible probes into reusable chemical sensors is investigated. The results are discussed.