Disposable, electrochemical DNA-based biosensors have been exploited for th
e determination of low-molecular-weight compounds with affinity for nucleic
acids. The application is related to the molecular interaction between the
surface-linked DNA obtained from calf thymus and the target pollutants or
drugs, in order to develop a simple device for rapid screening of genotoxic
or similar compounds. The determination of such compounds was measured by
their effect on the oxidation signal of the guanine peak of the DNA immobil
ized on the electrode surface and investigated by chronopotentiometric or s
quare-wave voltammetric analysis. The DNA biosensor is able to detect known
intercalating and groove-binding compounds such as daunomycin, polychlorin
ated biphenyls (PCBs): aflatoxin B1, and aromatic amines. Applicability to
river and waste water samples is discussed and reported.