Biosensors characterization techniques

Galindo E, Garcia JL, Torres LG, Quintero R (1992) Characterization of microbial membranes used for the estimation of biochemical oxygen demand with a biosensor. Biotechnol Techniques 6 399-404... 

The development of conducting polymer (CP) nanocomposites has opened up novel fundamental and applied frontiers. The present chapter overviews recent works dealing with synthesis, characterization of CP nanocomposites, and then-applications related to biosensors. Various synthesis strategies, mechanism, and process parameters along with their characterization techniques are discussed. Some potential areas for biosensor-related applications of CP nanocomposites are highhghted, including catalytic biosensors and bioaffinity biosensors. 

Various chromatographic techniques have been employed for the purification and characterization of B-phycoeryhtrin (B-PE) from the unicellular red algae Porphyridium cruentum. B-PE is a biliprotein containing a chromophore. The research was motivated by the importance of B-PE in light-sensing elements in biosensors and by the possible application in food... 

Riedel K, Uthemann R (1994). SensorBSB - ein neuer mit Biosensoren gewonnener Summenparameter in der Abwasseranalytik. Wasserwirtsch-Wassertechn 2 35-38 Riedel K, Kunze G (1997) Rapid physiological characterization of microorganisms by biosensor technique.Microbiol Res 152 233-237... 

Very few immunosensors are commercially available. The commercial immunosensors are either the detector or bioanalyzer types. The PZ 106 immunosensor from Universal Sensors Inc. (New Orleans, LA) has been used as a detector to measure antibody-antigen reaction. Ohmicron (Newtown, PA) developed a series of pesticide immuno-bioanalyzers that have been used in field tests. Pharmacia Biosensor USA (Piscataway, NJ) recently introduced BIAcore immunodetection system. A combination of a unique flow injection device and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) detection technique provides a real time analysis. A carboxylmethyldextran layer added to plasmon generating gold film is a hydrophobic, activatable, and flexible polymer that provides high antibody and low non-specific bindings. System demonstration at the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) 1994 meeting in Atlanta drew attention of food scientists. It should easily be adapted for food protein characterization. 

Magnetic AC atomic force microscopy (MAC Mode AFM) has proved to be a powerful surface analysis technique to investigate the interfacial and conformational properties of biological samples softly bound to the electrode surface and can be used as an important tool to characterize DNA-electrochemical biosensor surfaces [25,27],... 

Novel electrode materials have emerged in the last decades as a consequence of new requirements for reliable, sensitive and selective biosensor devices. This paper reviewed the most important materials used for the development of biosensors, biochip and supporting matrices. A summary of the principal electrode materials and methods is presented in Table 7.2. The work focused primarily on the characterization of these materials, the most important techniques used for electrode modification and their applicability for the construction of sensors and biosensors. Cmrent and future trends in material science for biosensors have been also discussed. 

In this chapter, we review the recent progress in the development of different metal oxide nanoparticles with various shapes and size for fabrication of biosensors. The development of metal oxide nanomaterials surface film for direct electron exchange between electrodes and redox enzymes and proteins will be summarizing. The electrochemical properties, stability and biocatalytic activity of the proposed biosensors will be discussed. The biocompatibility of the metal oxide nanomaterials for enzymes and biomolecules will be evaluated. We will briefly describe some techniques for the investigation of proteins and enzymes when adsorbed to the electrode surfaces. Cyclic voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy and surface imaging techniques were used for surface characterization and bioactivity measuring. 

In this chapter, an overview on fiber-optic chemical and biosensors is presented focusing on transducers and transduction mechanisms, sensor design, sensor development and processing, and sensor characterization and optimization. A few examples are presented on chemical vapor detection and biosensing applications. At the end of the chapter, the theory and application of the newly developed detection technique, which is called the SIM technique, is presented. 

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