Protocatalytic Materials and Sensors for Pollution Monitoring Based on Algal Cells. Phase 1

摘要

Studies with whole cells of the blue green alga Anacystis nidulans demonstrate the feasibility of their use (1) for solar energy conversion, and (2) as an algae-based sensor for water quality monitoring. Algae are attractive economically for the biocatalytic approach to solar energy conversion because they possess light harvesting mechanisms and the redox centers for water splitting. Intact algal cells are used as sensing components in a water analysis device that is based on the inhibition of photosynthetic electron transport by certain pollutants. A photochemical cell is described in which photosynthetic reactions of intact algal cells are linked to a working electrode using a membrane permeable electron acceptor. The photoelectrochemical cell is very sensitive to several classes of herbicides, demonstrating potential commercial applications as a broad band spectrum herbicide monitor for water.