Portable biosensors for water pollution
Countless industrial and agricultural activities result in the pollution of natural water sources. Without simple and rapid detection methods, it is difficult to get a handle on the scope of the problem. The EU-funded 'Bio-sensor for effective environmental protection and commercialization - Enhanced' (BEEP-C-EN) project advanced designs for a flexible biosensor platform for detecting pollutants in water. Specifically, the project targeted three prototype sensor devices based on different methods of signal transduction. Project members began by sourcing various enzymes and single-celled organisms that are sensitive to common pesticides or heavy metal poisoning (called biomediators). Much of BEEP-C-EN's research focused on characterising the stability and sensitivity of these compounds in order to select the most promising ones. Once identified, researchers looked for ways to immobilise the biomediators to form the core of the biosensor device. Another major research area looked at optical and electrochemical sensors. Once all the parts were selected and software designed, the biosensor prototypes were built and tested over a three-month period. Researchers found that the devices were robust, affordable, accurate, and ready for commercial application. BEEP-C-EN also completed a life-cycle analysis and user manual for the devices. Packaging and final design will be concluded before the BEEP-C-EN devices are made available to the public.
Keywords
Biosensor, water pollution, common pesticides, heavy metals, environmental protection, signal transduction, biomediators, electrochemical sensor
