A novel microbial sensor for the determination of cyanide

✍ Scribed by Jeong Im Lee; Isao Karube

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1995
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 468 KB
• Volume: 313
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0003-2670
• DOI: 10.1016/0003-2670(95)00232-o

✦ Synopsis

A novel cyanide biosensor was developed using cyanide-degrading microorganisms immobilized in membrane and an oxygen electrode. Immobilized Pseudomonas fruorescens NCIMB 11764 specifically oxidized cyanide thereby consuming oxygen without reacting with other toxic materials (like Cr3+, Cd'+, Pb 2+ LAS). A change in oxygen concentration was , detected using a Clark oxygen electrode. Cyanide could thus be determined at concentrations between 0.1 and 1 ppm in 50 mM phosphate buffer (pH 8). The optimum working conditions of the sensor are pH 8 at 3O"C, resulting in a response time of less than 2 min. This sensor was unaffected by chloride and heavy-metal ions. The relative standard deviation was estimated to be about 8%. With its specificity, rapid response time and ease of operation, this cyanide sensor has a potential commercial application for the monitoring and sensing of cyanide in industrial wastes.