Recent progress in the development of peptide-based gas biosensors for environmental monitoring

Abstract

Environmental monitoring has always been one of the main application fields of biosensors because they are capable of detection of the analytes in complex matrices with high sensitivity, specificity, in relatively short time and at relatively low cost. Peptides are one of the promising elements of olfactory biosensors as they are characterized by high specificity with respect to odorants, stability as well as they offer a possibility of easy introduction of structural modifications. Moreover, well-developed methods of their acquisition and variety of structures are only some of the advantages, which make peptides suitable for application in highly selective and specific biosensors employed in, among others, environmental monitoring and analytics. The paper presents short characteristics of the peptides utilized for construction of the biosensors. The methods of their acquisition, rational design of new peptide compounds, strategies of transducer's surface modification, peptide binding to the biosensor and examples of peptide application to analysis of VOCs important in the environmental monitoring were described. A progress in peptide-based biosensors is accompanied by an increase in their potential in highly efficient detection and monitoring of different types of environmental analytes. There is a significant potential for the development of innovative peptide-based biosensors, therefore it is important to present fundamentals and current trends, which can contribute to successful commercialization. It is expected that these type of sensors should be applicable in various fields where selective and sensitive analysis of VOCs is necessary.