ENVR 178 |
| The rapid detection of pathogens in drinking and recreational water is important for preventing exposure to natural or purposeful contamination with harmful biological agents. Microbead immunoassays have been developed for detecting viruses, bacteria and spores in water using the following simulants: MS2 bacteriophage virus, B. globigii spore and E. coli O157:H7 heat killed bacterium. The assays are based on the detection of β-galactosidase or alkaline phosphatase as the enzyme label on the secondary antibody for a sandwich immunoassay. Electrochemical detection of enzyme-generated p-aminophenol by oxidation is by rotating disk electrode on a single drop of assay solution. The immunoassays were able to detect each of the simulants spiked into 20 water samples collected from various water supplies throughout the nation. The assay for E. coli has been developed to distinguish between live and dead bacteria by detecting β-galactosidase produced by live bacteria captured with antibody on the microbeads. |
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Sensors for Detection and Quantification of Contaminants in Drinking Water and the Environment
1:30 PM-5:10 PM, Wednesday, April 9, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Rm. 235, Oral
Division of Environmental Chemistry |