Chapters authored
Biosensors for the detection of antibiotic residues in milk By Kairi Kivirand, Margarita Kagan and Toonika Rinken
Milk and dairy products are important nutrients for all age groups. However, the use of antibiotics for the treatment of food-producing animals generates the risk to human health, as these compounds and their metabolites can be transferred into milk. Rapid testing of the presence of antibiotics in raw milk to grant its quality has become a major task for farmers and dairy industry. The conventional analytical methods are either too slow or do not enable quantitative detection of antibiotic residues, so alternative methods that are rapid, cost effective, and easy to perform should be considered. The present chapter gives an overview of the recent developments and issues of the construction of different biosensors for the detection of antibiotic residues in milk.
Part of the book: Biosensors
Challenges and Applications of Impedance-Based Biosensors in Water Analysis By Kairi Kivirand, Mart Min and Toonika Rinken
Monitoring of the environment is a global priority due to the close connection between the environmental pollution and human health. Many analytical techniques using various methods have been developed to detect and monitor the levels of pollutants (pesticides, toxins, bacteria, drug residues, etc.) in natural water bodies. The latest trend in modern analysis is to measure pollutants in real-time in the field. For this purpose, biosensors have been employed as cost-effective and fast analytical techniques. Among biosensors, impedance biosensors have significant potential for use as simple and portable devices. These sensors involve application of a small amplitude AC voltage to the sensor electrode and measurement of the in-/out-of-phase current response as a function of frequency integrated with some biorecognition element on the sensing electrodes that can bind to the target, modifying the sensor electrical parameters. However, there are some drawbacks concerning their selectivity, stability, and reproducibility. The aim of this paper is to give a critical overview of literature published during the last decade based on the development issues of impedimetric biosensors and their applicability in water analysis.
Part of the book: Biosensors for Environmental Monitoring
Biosensor for the Detection of Cyanobacterial Toxin Microcystin-LR By Rasmus Rohtla, Kairi Kivirand, Eerik Jõgi and Toonika Rinken
Cyanobacteria are found everywhere in the environment, and their growth accelerates significantly with rising amounts of sunlight and temperatures. The proliferation of cyanobacteria begins when the average temperatures rise above 15°C. The proliferation can lead to high amounts of secondary metabolites, such as cyanotoxins, in surrounding waters. The most common cyanotoxin is microcystin-LR (MC-LR). MC-LR can cause rashes, abdominal cramps, and liver damage in humans and animals, so continuous monitoring of its content in water is of great importance. MC-LR is commonly detected with high-performance liquid chromatography, but phosphatase inhibition-based bioassays and enzyme-linked immunosorbent tests are also available. However, these are all lab-based methods and require sample transport and preparation for analytical procedures, not allowing for obtaining quick results. Therefore, there is a need for a rapid and field-based analysis method, and one promising option is to use biosensors. The present study aimed to design and construct an aptamer/antibody-based biosensor to detect MC-LR and test its applicability to detect MC-LR in cyanobacteria culture (Microcystis aeruginosa).
Part of the book: Biotechnology
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