Publication details
Biosensors for Detection of Heavy Metals
| Authors | |
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| Year of publication | 2012 |
| Type | Chapter of a book |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | Current development of miniature analytical instruments for detecting heavy metals in various samples is very dynamic. The most interesting representatives of these instruments are biosensors, which combine the physico-chemical transducer with biological components. Biosensors operate on different principles and their preparation can lead to the acquisition of tools with high sensitivity and selectivity against individual heavy metal ions or their mixtures. In this chapter, various types of biosensors divided according to their biological components for the detection of heavy metals ions are discussed. Generally, biosensors for heavy metals detection can be divided into two groups, based on their biological part: i) protein biosensors and ii) biosensors based on nucleic acids. Biosensors using nucleic acids represent a new and quickly developing branch. Protein biosensors can be divided into enzymatic and affinity ones, while enzymatic biosensors are based on activation or inhibition of enzymes activity, the affinity biosensors use specific antibodies. Affinity biosensors using immunodetection belong to the other method for metal ion determination, which-in comparing with traditional detection methods - brings certain advantages, such as high sensitivity and selectivity. They are theoretically useful for other metal complexes, where the antibody can be prepared. Biosensors belong to the most powerful bioanalytical tools and represent the future in development of instruments which can be used in medicine and pharmaceutical research, environment and BioDefence techniques and in monitoring of food quality and safety. |