Abstract
The full exploitation of bacterial whole-cell biosensing systems in field applications requires the survival of bacterial cells and long-term preservation of their sensing ability during transportation and on-site storage of such analytical systems. Specifically, there is a need for rapid, simple and inexpensive biosensing systems for monitoring human health and the environment in remote areas as well as developing countries, which often suffer from harsh atmospheric conditions and inadequate commercial distribution and storage facilities. Our laboratory has previously reported the successful use of bacterial spores as vehicles for the long-term preservation and storage of whole-cell biosensing systems at room temperature. In the present research, we have accomplished a year-long study to investigate the effect of extreme climatic conditions on the stability of spores-based whole-cell biosensing systems. The spores were stored in laboratory conditions that simulated those found in real harsh environments, including, extreme temperatures and humidity levels, and desiccation. This study was crucial in determining the germination ability and analytical performance of the spore-based sensing systems upon storage in such conditions in order to support their effective use in the field, in extreme environments. Our results proved that the intrinsic resistance of spores to harsh environmental conditions helped maintain the integrity of the encapsulated sensor bacteria. The revived active cells actually retained their analytical performance during the course of the 12-month storage study. We envision that spore-based sensing systems could pave the way to the use of whole-cell biosensors in field applications and in areas where they have not been employed so far.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 377-382 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Sensors and Actuators, B: Chemical |
| Volume | 158 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Nov 15 2011 |
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Keywords
- Bacterial spores
- Biosensor preservation
- Biosensor storage
- Extreme environmental conditions
- On-site applications
- Whole-cell biosensing systems
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Instrumentation
- Materials Chemistry
- Surfaces, Coatings and Films
- Metals and Alloys
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Cite this
Stability of spore-based biosensing systems under extreme conditions. / Sangal, Abhishek; Pasini, Patrizia; Daunert, Sylvia.
In: Sensors and Actuators, B: Chemical, Vol. 158, No. 1, 15.11.2011, p. 377-382.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Stability of spore-based biosensing systems under extreme conditions
AU - Sangal, Abhishek
AU - Pasini, Patrizia
AU - Daunert, Sylvia
PY - 2011/11/15
Y1 - 2011/11/15
N2 - The full exploitation of bacterial whole-cell biosensing systems in field applications requires the survival of bacterial cells and long-term preservation of their sensing ability during transportation and on-site storage of such analytical systems. Specifically, there is a need for rapid, simple and inexpensive biosensing systems for monitoring human health and the environment in remote areas as well as developing countries, which often suffer from harsh atmospheric conditions and inadequate commercial distribution and storage facilities. Our laboratory has previously reported the successful use of bacterial spores as vehicles for the long-term preservation and storage of whole-cell biosensing systems at room temperature. In the present research, we have accomplished a year-long study to investigate the effect of extreme climatic conditions on the stability of spores-based whole-cell biosensing systems. The spores were stored in laboratory conditions that simulated those found in real harsh environments, including, extreme temperatures and humidity levels, and desiccation. This study was crucial in determining the germination ability and analytical performance of the spore-based sensing systems upon storage in such conditions in order to support their effective use in the field, in extreme environments. Our results proved that the intrinsic resistance of spores to harsh environmental conditions helped maintain the integrity of the encapsulated sensor bacteria. The revived active cells actually retained their analytical performance during the course of the 12-month storage study. We envision that spore-based sensing systems could pave the way to the use of whole-cell biosensors in field applications and in areas where they have not been employed so far.
AB - The full exploitation of bacterial whole-cell biosensing systems in field applications requires the survival of bacterial cells and long-term preservation of their sensing ability during transportation and on-site storage of such analytical systems. Specifically, there is a need for rapid, simple and inexpensive biosensing systems for monitoring human health and the environment in remote areas as well as developing countries, which often suffer from harsh atmospheric conditions and inadequate commercial distribution and storage facilities. Our laboratory has previously reported the successful use of bacterial spores as vehicles for the long-term preservation and storage of whole-cell biosensing systems at room temperature. In the present research, we have accomplished a year-long study to investigate the effect of extreme climatic conditions on the stability of spores-based whole-cell biosensing systems. The spores were stored in laboratory conditions that simulated those found in real harsh environments, including, extreme temperatures and humidity levels, and desiccation. This study was crucial in determining the germination ability and analytical performance of the spore-based sensing systems upon storage in such conditions in order to support their effective use in the field, in extreme environments. Our results proved that the intrinsic resistance of spores to harsh environmental conditions helped maintain the integrity of the encapsulated sensor bacteria. The revived active cells actually retained their analytical performance during the course of the 12-month storage study. We envision that spore-based sensing systems could pave the way to the use of whole-cell biosensors in field applications and in areas where they have not been employed so far.
KW - Bacterial spores
KW - Biosensor preservation
KW - Biosensor storage
KW - Extreme environmental conditions
KW - On-site applications
KW - Whole-cell biosensing systems
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=79960469755&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=79960469755&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.snb.2011.06.039
DO - 10.1016/j.snb.2011.06.039
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:79960469755
VL - 158
SP - 377
EP - 382
JO - Sensors and Actuators, B: Chemical
JF - Sensors and Actuators, B: Chemical
SN - 0925-4005
IS - 1
ER -