Biosensors for inorganic and organic arsenicals.

Jian Chen,Barry Rosen

doi:10.3390/bios4040494

Abstract

Arsenic is a natural environmental contaminant to which humans are routinely exposed and is strongly associated with human health problems, including cancer, cardiovascular and neurological diseases. To date, a number of biosensors for the detection of arsenic involving the coupling of biological engineering and electrochemical techniques has been developed. The properties of whole-cell bacterial or cell-free biosensors are summarized in the present review with emphasis on their sensitivity and selectivity. Their limitations and future challenges are highlighted.

Highlights

Arsenic is a toxic metalloid that is ubiquitously distributed throughout the Earth’s crust, soil, sediments, water, air and living organisms [1,2]
A recent review describing analytical methods for sample treatment and speciation emphasizes that high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and hydride generation atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) are the most powerful methodologies for arsenic speciation in environmental and biological matrices [14]
Biosensors have the advantages of sensitivity, specificity, simplicity, low manufacturing cost, low detection limit, fast response time, ease of use, portability and ability to furnish continuous real-time signals [16]. The aim of this present review is to provide an overview of the general mechanism of a biosensor and various types of arsenic biosensors developed in the past decades

Summary

Introduction

Arsenic is a toxic metalloid that is ubiquitously distributed throughout the Earth’s crust, soil, sediments, water, air and living organisms [1,2]. Accurate measurement of such low levels of arsenic in drinking water requires expensive and sophisticated instrumentation and facilities, as well as trained staff These techniques include atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), atomic fluorescence spectrometry, inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometroscopy (LC/MS/MS). A recent review describing analytical methods for sample treatment and speciation emphasizes that high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) ICP-MS and hydride generation AAS are the most powerful methodologies for arsenic speciation in environmental and biological matrices [14]. Biosensors have the advantages of sensitivity, specificity, simplicity, low manufacturing cost, low detection limit, fast response time, ease of use, portability and ability to furnish continuous real-time signals [16] The aim of this present review is to provide an overview of the general mechanism of a biosensor and various types of arsenic biosensors developed in the past decades. This review will focus on the future development trends in the use of a general biosensor for arsenic detection in the environment

Protein or DNA Based Biosensors

Whole Cell-Based Biosensors

Future Challenges

Challenges of Biosensor Specificity

Challenges of Biosensor for Arsenic for In Situ Detection

Long-Term Challenges

The Challenge of Multiplexing Biosensors

Findings

Conclusions