Biosensor Array Based Platform for Pesticide Detection

The paper work has been focused on the technology development of an impedimetric microbiosensor array for pesticides detection. The microbiosensors array is containing six biosensor chips integrated into a microfluidic system providing all fluids for biosensors activation and inhibition, electrically connected to electronic modules for signal processing and data acquisition. The overall pesticides detection platform is connected into a portable apparatus of small dimensions, low energy consumption, easy to be manipulated, providing independent functioning of biosensors with data acquisition from each one. The microcontroller will memorise the data and is able to discard them on the PC via USB. The biosensor is based on miniaturized interdigitated electrodes and immobilized acetylcholinesteraze on top of them. The acetylcholinesteraze based sensors are designed to detect the organophosphoric and carbamates compounds from pesticides, measuring the impedance of the layer adjacent to the electrodes surface. All pesticides detection measurements are realized under the strict control of temperature and pH using a Platinum temperature sensor and a pH electrode, both integrated on the same chip with the biosensor. The response time is about 10 minutes.