title: Lichen-based biosensor for the determination of benzene and 2-chlorophenol: microcalorimetric and amperometric investigations.
abstract: Preliminary microcalorimetric studies have been performed to analyse the response of a whole epiphytic lichen tissue (Evernia prunastri) to 2-chlorophenol (2Cl-phi), a pollutant of oil mill waste-water, in order to evaluate whether the tissue might be used to assess the toxic characteristics of polluted waters. The obtained results (lichen viability expressed in hours, enthalpy variations for the 2Cl-phi/lichen interactions) were used to create a lichen-based biosensor that uses an amperometric oxygen electrode (a Clark electrode) as a transducer. The lichen catalyses aromatic ring cleavage (via pyrocatechase enzymes present in the lichen), and transforms aromatic substances like 2Cl-phi into muconic acid (C6H6O4). Following a full electroanalytical characterisation, the performance of the proposed lichen biosensor was compared to that of a biosensor based on Pseudomonas putida cells, which was originally constructed to monitor benzene in different matrices (water, air, petrol and oil) and was tested in our laboratory previously.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University "La Sapienza", P. le Aldo Moro, 5-00185, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Marta Letizia
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Antonelli
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Campanella
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ercole
mesh_terms: D001554:Benzene / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation; D002151:Calorimetry / Q000379:methods*; D002733:Chlorophenols / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D004566:Electrodes; D008011:Lichens / Q000201:enzymology*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002733:Chlorophenols; D001554:Benzene; C030683:2-chlorophenol; D010100:Oxygen