Abstract
Algal toxins represent a significant threat to water environment and human health around the world. The expanding role of chemo- and biosensing in rapid detection of algal toxins has led to an increasing interest on the application of novel nanomaterials and sensing concepts, to achieve higher sensitivity, selectivity, and reliability. This chapter gives an overview of the nanomaterial-based chemo- and biosensors for the analysis of algal toxins in freshwater and marine water systems, focusing extensively on the electrochemical biosensors that incorporate multifunctional nanomaterials and biorecognition interfaces. The occurrence, chemical structures and properties, and legal regulations of the toxins are introduced. After a brief discussion of the state of the art of analytic methods, algal toxin detection using sensors is presented, based on optical, electrochemical, or piezoelectric mechanisms. The use of nanoparticles and nanotubes in fabrication of electrochemical biosensors for algal toxins, as labels, signal enhancers, or immobilization supports, has been critically reviewed. The applicability of these sensors for the screening of seafood and water samples is also demonstrated.
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