Development of Microbial Sensors for Determination of Xenobiotics

Abstract

Amperometric biosensors using immobilised microbial cells as the biological component were developed for the determination of biphenyl and its chlorinated derivatives. Measurements were based on the respiratory activity of the microbial cells. The influence of different organic solvents on the respiratory activity was analysed. Different membranes were used for immobilising the cells across the face of an oxygen electrode; to determine whetherthe polarity of the membrane had an influence on the substrate degraded.