USE OF PROTEIN COATINGS ON PIEZOELECTRIC CRYSTALS FOR ASSAY OF GASEOUS POLLUTANTS

Abstract

Preliminary studies utilizing biological substrates, such as enzymes and antibodies, as coatings for a piezoelectric crystal detector have proven successful. Immobilization of cholinesterase and parathion antibodies allows for the detection of organophosphorous pesticides at the ppb level with the cholinesterase coatings exhibiting a more specific response to parathion. Excellent reproducibilities, coating lifetimes, response times and selectivities are observed. This research is the first use of proteins as coatings for the direct assay of gaseous compounds, thus making this method an attractive alternative to some conventional techniques currently in use.