A layer-by-layer self-assembly of concanavalin A (Con A) and glycoprotein horseradish peroxidase (HRP) afforded multilayer thin films on the surface of a thiol-modifed gold electrode, through biospecific complexation of Con A and sugar residues in the glycoenzymes. The performance of the HRP biosensor is reported for the amperometric detection of phenolic compounds. The concentration of hydrogen peroxide and assembly conditions of the precursor film, such as pH, the ionic strength of the polyelectrolyte solutions and the number of assembled bilayers were investigated using catechol. With optimized conditions, the biosensor presented a linear response for catechol from 6.0 to 48.0 mu mol l(-1), with a high sensitivity of 160 mu mol(-1) nA and a detection limit of 0.6 mu mol l(-1). The response time of the biosensor for phenolic compounds was very short, reaching 95% of its maximum response in about 2 s. The differences in sensitivity observed for a series of phenolic substrates were discussed in terms of the stability of the oxidized phenolic compounds and the properties of substituents. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.