title: Mathematical model for the analytical signal of an herbicide sensor based on the reaction centre of Rhodobacter sphaeroides.
abstract: This paper introduces a mathematical model which makes it possible both to determine the concentration of photosynthetic herbicides and to obtain a quantitative parameter in order to compare their activity using a previously described sensing system. The working principle involves the changes in absorption properties at 860nm of the reaction centre (RC) isolated from the bacteria Rhodobacter sphaeroides when photosynthetic herbicides are present. The method has been used for the determination and activity comparison of five photosynthetic herbicides: diuron, atrazine, terbutryn, terbuthylazine and simazine. Detection limits obtained were 2.2, 0.75, 0.046, 0.25, and 1.4muM, respectively. The resulting order for the different herbicides according to their action on RC was: terbutryn > terbuthylazine > atrazine > simazine > diuron.
authors.affiliation: GEAS, Analytical Spectroscopy and Sensors Group, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Science Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza 50009, Spain.
authors.forename: Yolanda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Andreu
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Baldini
authors.forename: Ambra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giannetti
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mencaglia