Novel detection of Escherichia coli beta-D-glucuronidase activity using a microbially-modified glassy carbon electrode and its potential for faecal pollution monitoring.
The electrochemical detection of Escherichia coli beta-D-glucuronidase activity as a means of monitoring water pollution by faecal material was investigated using separate Moraxella- and Pseudomonas putida-modified glassy carbon electrodes. The former was more sensitive and selective. The Moraxella-modified biosensor was 100 times more rapid and sensitive than the spectrophotometric detection of beta-D-glucuronidase activity. The experimental limit of detection of the biosensor was two c.f.u. per 100 ml polluted water sample within 20 min. The biosensor gave a linear response to commercial beta-D-glucuronidase concentration between 0.2 ng and 2 microg ml(-1). The biosensor detected activity of beta-D-glucuronidase from viable but non-culturable (VBNC) cells and can therefore serve as a presence or absence device for rapid water quality monitoring.
Togo
Chamunorwa Aloius
CA
Department of Biochemistry, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa.
Wutor
Victor Collins
VC
Limson
Janice Leigh
JL
Pletschke
Brett Ivan
BI
D001681:Biological Assay / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D005966:Glucuronidase / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D008839:Microelectrodes; D009016:Moraxella / Q000378:metabolism; D011549:Pseudomonas / Q000378:metabolism; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000032:analysis
D014873:Water Pollutants; D002244:Carbon; D005966:Glucuronidase