A Biosensor for the Determination of Cyanide in Cassava

Abstract

A simple biosensor for the determination of total cyanide in cassava is demonstrated. The biosensor was developed based on the use of a cyanide ion selective electrode made from AgI and Ag₂S and the enzyme linamarase which was isolated from cassava root cortex. Results are reported on a  sensing system which relies on the catalytic hydrolysis of cassava linamarin by the enzyme linamarase immobilised on calcium alginate beads deposited on the ion selective electrode membrane. The biosensor is able to measure cyanide in solution over the 10^-6 to 10^-2 M concentration range as well as cyanide liberated as a result of the action of linamarase on linamarin over the 10^-4 to 10^-2 M range.