BIOLOGY Volume 2 - A Guide to General Biology - 2004

12. MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY

12.17. Biosensors

12.17.4. Applications in Other Fields

Another major application of biosensors is in industrial process control. Living Cells (Yeast and Bacteria) coupled with electrodes are used to measure the concentrations of L-Amino Acids, alcohol, phenols, methane, various sugars, acetic acid, and Antibiotics. They are employed to monitor conditions inside fermenters, which is particularly crucial in continuous culture.

A highly sensitive system has been developed to detect trace amounts of oxygen. This system utilizes bacteria that emit luminescence in the presence of oxygen, with the emitted light being recorded by a photocell. Optical biosensors are currently generating immense interest, largely due to the potential of fiber optics for remote sensing in hazardous environments.

Many enzymatic reactions are accompanied by the release of heat. Thermal biosensors can detect Temperature changes as small as 0,0001 °C and can be utilized for the detection of lactic acid.

It is anticipated that in the future, biosensors will find Applications in agriculture, veterinary medicine, personal protection (for detecting nerve gases, toxins, and explosives), and environmental protection (primarily for pollution monitoring). Across all these sectors, The Use of biosensors is growing by approximately 30% annually. However, the market remains relatively small, standing at less than £50 million in 1992—partly due to the limitations of biosensors mentioned above.



Last update: 06/08/2026

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