title: Improved electrical wiring of microbes: anthraquinone-modified electrodes for biosensing of chlorinated hydrocarbons.
abstract: The present study reports the development of a novel bioelectrochemical sensor for trichloroethene (TCE), a common subsurface contaminant, based on the measurement of the electrical current resulting from the microbially catalysed reduction of TCE at anthraquinone (AQ)-modified electrodes. Firstly, we describe the development and electrochemical characterisation of AQ-modified electrodes, prepared via spontaneous or electrochemical reduction of AQ diazonium derivatives. Finally, the proof-of-principle of the bioelectrochemical sensor for TCE was evaluated, using a TCE-dechlorinating microbial culture as the biosensing element. The response of the bioelectrochemical sensor was measured either as the peak current in cyclic voltammetry or the steady-state current in chronoamperometry; in both cases, it was found to be proportional to TCE concentrations in the range 0-100 μmol/L. On the other hand, the microorganisms in contact with the electrode surface caused severe fouling problems which drastically reduced the life-time of the sensor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy. Federico.Aulenta@uniroma1.it
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Aulenta
authors.forename: Tommaso
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ferri
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nicastro
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Majone
authors.forename: Marco Petrangeli
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Papini
mesh_terms: D000880:Anthraquinones / Q000737:chemistry*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D015374:Biosensing Techniques; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004566:Electrodes; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000032:analysis*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D014241:Trichloroethylene / Q000032:analysis*; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000880:Anthraquinones; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014873:Water Pollutants; D014241:Trichloroethylene