Integrated immuno extraction sampling and portable biosensor prototytpe for in-field monitoring

Objective

Phenols, surfactants and metabolites (e.g. phenolic derivatives) present in surface, waste and ground water are an increasing environmental problem all over Europe. Due to the extreme amounts of surfactants emitted into sewage plants, the fact that these cannot be completely mineralised in biological waste water treatment plants and the persistence of some of the known metabolites make them the group of environmental pollutants with the highest priority (Council Directives 73/404, 76/464 and its six daughters). Most of the metabolites as well as their toxic effects are unknown up to now because of a lack of analytical methods.
In order to address the environmental problems there is thus a strong need for new and selective analytical techniques, permitting the specific and sensitive determination of various phenols and surfactants both in-field as an early warning system, but also in the laboratory for the identification of new metabolites of the latter. The fact that trace levels already prove to be harmful demonstrates that the more sensitive a method, the earlier a warning signal can be given.

The present project deals with one of the possible ways to address these problems by development of an immuno based in-field sampling device based on supported liquid membranes (SLM) coupled on-line to a biosensor flow module by implementing: 1) antibody recognition of target analytes already during sampling, 2) isolation of bound or free labelled antigen/antibody in continuous immuno flow systems and 3) monitoring of the eluting labelled target by a biosensor (amplified label monitor) based on a
bioelelectrocatalytic or bi-enzymatic approach. As an ultimate goal, the biosensor flow module (immuno flow system combined with amplified label monitor) will be housed in a biosensor prototype containing disposable and easily exchangeable biological units, designed for simple on-line coupling to the stand alone SLM sampling device for in-field monitoring of phenols, surfactants and metabolites.

The proposer's research developments will answer to the increasing demand for more straightforward instrumentation, improved simplicity, selectivity, and low cost, cumbersome sample pre-treatment will not be necessary due to the very selective clean-up during the immuno based sampling step. The prototype will be constructed so that the technology can be easily transferred and applied in other areas than surfactant and phenol monitoring.

Fields of science

• engineering and technology › electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering › electronic engineering › sensors › biosensors
• engineering and technology › environmental engineering › water treatment processes › wastewater treatment processes

Programme(s)

• FP4-ENV 2C - Specific programme of research and technological development in the field of environment and climate, 1994-1998

Topic(s)

• 020105 - Stratosphere

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

Lund University

Address

60,getingevägen
221 00 Lund
Sweden

Participants (5)

BST BIO SENSOR TECHNOLOGIE GMBH

Germany

Address

61,buchholzer Strasse 61
13156 Berlin

CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS

Spain

Address

18-26,jordi Girona 18-26
08034 Barcelona

Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas

Spain

Address

18-26,jordi Girona Salgado
08034 Barcelona

Sociedad General Aguas de Barcelona SA

Spain

Address

39,passeig De Sant Joan 39
8009 Barcelona

UNIVERSITY OF POTSDAM

Germany

Address

10,karl-liebknecht-strasse 24-25
14476 Golm