title: An in situ amperometric biosensor for the detection of vapours from explosive compounds.
abstract: An amperometric biosensor based on genetically-modified enzymes was used for the in situ detection of trace vapours from a number of explosive compounds. The vapour samples that were generated from a purpose-built vapour generator were collected and pre-concentrated using a trap able to concentrate samples at a rate of 60-fold per minute of sampling. The amperometric biosensor achieved a remarkably low vapour detection limit of 6 parts per trillion from a room temperature sample. The specific activity of the reported enzyme toward a number of explosive compounds was also confirmed using absorbance measurements.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, Bangor University, Gwynedd, UK.
authors.forename: Christopher David
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Gwenin
authors.forename: Maher
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kalaji
authors.forename: Catharine Melanie
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Kay
authors.forename: Peter Anthony
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Duarte Novaes
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Tito
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D015374:Biosensing Techniques; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D053834:Explosive Agents / Q000032:analysis*; D005740:Gases / Q000032:analysis*; D012637:Security Measures; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D053834:Explosive Agents; D005740:Gases