Characterization of agarose as immobilization matrix model for a microbial biosensor

Abstract

Microbial biosensors are promising tools for the detection of specific substances in different fields, such as environmental, biomedical, food or agricultural. They allow rapid measurements, no need for complex sample preparation or specialized personnel and easy handling. In order to enhance the managing, miniaturization and stability of the biosensor and to prevent cell leaching, bacteria immobilization is desirable. A systematic characterization procedure to choose a suitable immobilization method and matrix, was proposed in this study. Physical properties, storage stability mass transport phenomena and biocompatibility were evaluated, employing agarose as the model matrix. Preliminary essays with bioluminescent bacteria detecting Tributyltin were also carried out.Mikrobni biosenzori su potencijalno atraktivni uredjaji za odredjivanje specificnih jedinjenja u razlicitim oblastima, kao sto su oblasti zastite zivotne sredine, biomedicine, proizvodnje hrane, poljoprivrede. Oni omogucavaju brza merenja, ne zahtevaju kompleksnu pripremu uzoraka ili obuceno osoblje, i jednostavni su za koriscenje i odrzavanje. U cilju jednostavnijeg rukovanja, minijaturizacije i povecanja stabilnosti rada biosenzora, kao i sprecavanja spiranja celija, pozeljno je izvrsiti imobilizaciju celija bakterija. U ovom radu je predlozena sistematska procedura izbora odgovarajuce metode i matrice za imobilizaciju. Za agarozu kao model matricu utvrdjene su fizicke karakteristike, stabilnost pri cuvanju, fenomeni prenosa mase i biokompatiblinost. Takodje su izvedena preliminarna ispitivanja primene bioluminiscentnih bakterija za detektovanje tributiltina.