A novel biosensor selective for organoarsenicals

Appl Environ Microbiol. 2012 Oct;78(19):7145-7. doi: 10.1128/AEM.01721-12. Epub 2012 Jul 27.

Abstract

Organoarsenicals used as herbicides and growth promoters for farm animals are degraded to inorganic arsenic. Available bacterial whole-cell biosensors detect only inorganic arsenic. We report a biosensor selective for the trivalent organoarsenicals methylarsenite and phenylarsenite over inorganic arsenite. This sensor may be useful for detecting degradation of arsenic-containing herbicides and growth promoters.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Arsenicals / analysis*
  • Biosensing Techniques / methods*
  • Growth Substances / analysis
  • Herbicides / analysis
  • Organic Chemicals / analysis*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Arsenicals
  • Growth Substances
  • Herbicides
  • Organic Chemicals