Development of a Core-Shell-Encapsulated Biosensor for On-Site Detection of Trace Chlorpyrifos

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Biotechnology
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Chlorpyrifos, an organophosphorus pesticide, poses environmental and health risks due to its persistence.
• Whole-cell biosensors are promising for on-site pesticide detection but face challenges in sensitivity and biosafety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a sensitive and safe whole-cell biosensor for detecting trace chlorpyrifos residues.
• To enhance biosensor performance through signal amplification and physical containment.

Main Methods:

• Engineered a whole-cell biosensor with an integrated metabolic module for signal amplification.
• Utilized core-shell hydrogel microbeads for bacterial encapsulation and containment.
• Validated the biosensor in real environmental samples (vegetable, water, soil).

Main Results:

• Achieved a 32-fold increase in sensitivity, lowering the detection limit to 0.75 nM.
• Demonstrated effective bacterial containment, preserving cell viability and sensing performance.
• Confirmed reliable performance and satisfactory recoveries in complex environmental matrices.

Conclusions:

• The core-shell hydrogel-encapsulated biosensor provides a sensitive, safe, and field-deployable platform for monitoring chlorpyrifos.
• This technology addresses key limitations of existing biosensors for environmental applications.
• Offers a robust solution for detecting trace pesticide residues in diverse matrices.