Lichen-based biosensor for the determination of benzene and 2-chlorophenol: microcalorimetric and amperometric investigations.
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.
Antonelli
Marta Letizia
ML
Department of Chemistry, University "La Sapienza", P. le Aldo Moro, 5-00185, Rome, Italy.
Campanella
Luigi
L
Ercole
Patrizia
P
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
D002733:Chlorophenols; D001554:Benzene; C030683:2-chlorophenol; D010100:Oxygen