A microfluidic sensor for detecting chlorophenols using cross-linked enzyme aggregates (CLEAs).

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Chlorophenols are potent pollutants with a distinct odor, necessitating continuous monitoring in water supplies.
• Existing methods for chlorophenol detection may lack the sensitivity or real-time capabilities required for effective water quality management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel microfluidic sensor for the real-time quantification of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP).
• To achieve high sensitivity and specificity in detecting 2,4-DCP at low concentrations relevant to environmental monitoring.

Main Methods:

• A membrane-less galvanic cell sensor was designed with two parallel laminar flows within a straight microchannel.
• The sensor utilizes a potential difference measurement between a 2,4-DCP sample and a reference buffer solution.
• Specificity is enhanced by incorporating a pre-treatment step involving cross-linked laccase aggregates to catalyze 2,4-DCP hydrolysis in one stream.

Main Results:

• The microfluidic sensor demonstrated real-time detection of 2,4-DCP with a limit of detection around 0.1 ppm.
• The cell potential was found to be directly proportional to the concentration of 2,4-DCP in a continuous-flow mode.
• The laccase-based pre-treatment significantly improved the specificity of 2,4-DCP determination.

Conclusions:

• The developed microfluidic sensor platform offers a sensitive and specific method for real-time 2,4-DCP detection.
• This technology holds significant potential for the continuous monitoring of micropollutants in aquatic environments.
• The sensor design provides a promising approach for improving water quality surveillance and public health protection.