title: Development of a fiber optic enzymatic biosensor for 1,2-dichloroethane.
abstract: There is a significant need for devices capable of measuring water contaminant concentrations in situ--continuously, rapidly, and without reagents, extraction, or other pretreatment. Toward this goal, we constructed and tested fiber optic biosensors for measurement of 1,2-dichloroethane (DCA) in aqueous solutions. The biocomponent was the haloalkane dehalogenase, DhlA, in whole cells of Xanthobacter autotrophicus GJ10. These cells were immobilized in calcium alginate on the tip of a fiber optic fluoresceinamine-based pH optode. The resulting biosensor could quantify DCA at 11 mg/l and had a linear response up to at least 65 mg/l. Total signal change was reached in 8-10 min, and measurements were reproducible (SE <9%). The sensor's small size, potential for remote operation, and low cost make it of interest for further development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1370, USA.
authors.forename: Derek W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: Cord
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: Kenneth F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Reardon
mesh_terms: D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005025:Ethylene Dichlorides / Q000032:analysis*; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D055100:Optical Fibers; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D020584:Xanthobacter / Q000201:enzymology*
chemical_list: D005025:Ethylene Dichlorides; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C024565:ethylene dichloride