昆虫嗅覚受容体を利用した水のカビ臭検出へ向けた取り組み

摘要

水道水のカビ臭は，水源に繁茂する藍藻類などの生物が産生する臭気物質が原因である.水源でのカビ臭 発生を簡便かつ迅速に検知できれば，取水の一時停止，カビ臭が少ない地点や水深からの選択取水，浄水場 での高度浄水処理の強化など，有効な対策を早期に判断しやすくなる.近年，昆虫嗅覚受容体の遺伝子を細 胞に導入し，においに高感度で特異的なバイオセンサを作り出す技術が注目されている.本稿では，カビ臭 の原因物質ジュォスミンに特異的に応答する細胞（センサ細胞）を水道水質管理に活用しょうとする試みを 紹介する.%Musty odor of tap water originates from odorous compounds produced by organisms such as algae in water bodies serving as drinking water sources. Simple and rapid detection of odorous compounds in water sources allows an early decision-make to take effective measures including temporary stop of water intake, change of location or depth for water intake, and advanced treatment at water treatment plants. Recent progress in genetic engineering allows to introduce insect olfactory receptors into cultured cells to produce sensitive and selective biosensors. We have been challenging to apply a geosmin-specific sensor cell to monitor geosmin in water.