MICROORGANISMS AND ENZYMESFOR THE APPLICATION IN BIOSENSORS

Abstract

Carbon monoxide, nitriles, amides, vinyl acetate, aldehydes and complex metalcyanides are examples of toxic compounds which we are planning to detect by means of simple types of enzyme-based biosensors, e. g. tubes, buttons, dosimeters or electrodes. Among the requirements appropriate enzymes should meet, are the ability of being coupled to a color reaction and sensitivity in the ppm concentration range. As appropriate enzymes were not available at the beginning of our work, we searched for microorganisms and are currently isolating and characterizing the enzymesofinterest from them. Apart from using these enzymes for sensing purposes weare also interested in devices which would allow a simultaneous removal of toxic compounds. Examples discussedin this article are a biological system for the detoxification of acetonitrile in HPLC waste and the use of enzymatically active paint for the improvement ofindoorair quality.