ENVIRONMENTAL APPLICATIONS OF ANALYTICAL BIOSENSORS

A review of the fundamental aspects and environmental applications of biosensors is presented. The bases of different transducer principles such as electrochemical, optical and piezoelectric are discussed. Vari ous examples are given of the applications of such principles to devel op immunosensor devices to determine common environmental contaminants . Attention is also paid to catalytic biosensors, using enzymes as sen sing elements. Biosensor devices based on the use of cholinesterase an d various oxidase enzymes such as tyrosinase, laccase, peroxidase and aldehyde dehydrogenase are reported. Some examples are given of the ap plications of other biomolecules such as whole cells, DNA or proteins, to determine pollution. Validation studies are presented comparing bi osensors with chromatographic techniques to determine organophosphorus pesticides and phenolic compounds in environmental samples.