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Semi‐specific biosensors for measuring BOD in dairy wastewater
Author(s) -
Raud Merlin,
Linde Evelin,
Kibena Elo,
Velling Siiri,
Tenno Toomas,
Talpsep Ene,
Kikas Timo
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of chemical technology and biotechnology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.64
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1097-4660
pISSN - 0268-2575
DOI - 10.1002/jctb.2385
Subject(s) - biosensor , biochemical oxygen demand , pseudomonas fluorescens , wastewater , pulp and paper industry , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , environmental science , environmental engineering , biology , chemical oxygen demand , biochemistry , engineering , bacteria , genetics
BACKGROUND: Semi‐specific microbial biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) biosensors were constructed using living cells of Escherichia coli R 17.1.3 ( E. coli ) and Raoultella terrigena P74.3 ( R . terrigena ) immobilized in agarose gel matrix. The research involved comparison with the Pseudomonas fluorescens P 75 ( P. fluorescens ) biosensor that had no specificity in decomposing lactose and milk derivates. The constructed BOD biosensors were calibrated with OECD synthetic wastewater and tested with different wastewater samples. RESULTS: The linear range of the calibration curve was 5–200 mg L −1 BOD 7 for R. terrigena and P. fluorescens based biosensors and 150 mg L −1 BOD 7 for the E. coli based biosensor. Service life was 60 days for E. coli and P. fluorescens based biosensors and 40 days for R. terrigena based biosensors. BOD values for dairy industry wastewater obtained with current semi‐specific biosensors considerably overestimate BOD 7 , while universal biosensors underestimate BOD 7 obtained by the conventional 7‐day BOD test. CONCLUSION: In spite of extensive overestimation of BOD 7 the semi‐specific biosensors enabled better estimation of BOD in dairy industry wastewater than a reference P. fluorescens biosensor. The best result, in terms of service life, stability, sensitivity and reproducibility was accomplished with semi‐specific E.coli biosensor. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry