Microbially-based sensors for environmental monitoring

摘要

The present invention relates to the field of surface water monitoring. More specifically, the present invention provides low-cost, real-time bio-electrochemical sensors for surface water monitoring based on the metabolism of one or more electrogenic microbes.

主权项

1. A bio-electrochemical system for detecting the presence or absence of at least one target chemical in a medium comprising:
a working electrode comprising a cathode or an anode; and at least a first electrogenic microbe disposed in proximity to the working electrode, wherein said electrogenic microbe interacts with the working electrode to produce an electric current which decreases in the presence of an increasing concentration of the target compound; and the first electrogenic microbe maintains metabolic activity in the presence of the target compound.