A specific enzyme electrode for L-phenylalanine

A specific enzyme electrode procedure is described for the rapid assay of L-phenyl- alanine. The enzyme L-phenylalanine ammonia lyase is used, which cleaves L-phenyl-alanine to ammonia. The ammonia liberated is measured with an air-gap electrode. The procedure is specific; L-tyrosine and other amino acids do not interfere, nor do Na⁺ or K⁺ ions. As little as 5 · 10^-5 M L-phenylalanine can be determined.