Bacteria-degraders based microbial sensors for the detection of surfactants and organic pollutants

Abstract

We developped a microbial biosensor for detection of surfactants. The biosensor receptor is based on bacterial strains that are harboring plasmids for biodegradation of surfactants. We studied the sensitivity, stability and selectivity of the biosensor with respect to anionic, cationic and non-ionic surfactants, carbohydrates, alcohols, humic acids and toxic compounds such as aromatic xenobiotics. Under laboratory conditions the microbial biosensor was used to assess the purity level of water that was decontaminated from surfactants. On the basis of the obtained sensor characteristics, a portable microprocessor analyzer was set up. The biosensor device registers the transducer's signals and makes it possible to process calibration dependencies and determination of the concentration of target compound in a sample. © 2005 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.