A BIOFET ON THE BASIS OF INTACT INSECT ANTENNAE

A novel biosensor device on the basis of a FET (field-effect transisto r)-insect antenna junction is presented. This biosensor allows the qua ntitative detection of specific components of host plant odours. The s ensor was operated at a fixed working point in the constant voltage mo de. As a test odour the gas concentration of Z-3-hexen-1-ol was determ ined in the concentration range from 0.01 to 100 ppm with short respon se time of less than Is and a high reversibility of the sensor signal in ambient air. Two types of preparation of the biocomponent were exam ined yielding a whole-beetle-BioFET and an isolated-antenna-BioFET. (C ) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.