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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Renewable Product Technology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #252334
Title: Microbial Biosensors for Selective Detection of Disaccharides

Author
item KITOVA, ANNA - Russian Academy Of Sciences
item RESHETILOV, ANATOLY - Russian Academy Of Sciences
item PONAMOREVA, OLGA - Tula State University (OCNIT)
item Leathers, Timothy

Submitted to: The Internet Journal of Microbiology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/8/2010
Publication Date: 7/1/2010
Citation: Kitova, A., Reshetilov, A., Ponamoreva, O., Leathers, T.D. 2010. Microbial biosensors for selective detection of disaccharides. The Internet Journal of Microbiology. 8(2).

Interpretive Summary: Microorganisms were identified that were able to serve as components of biosensors for the detection of certain sugars. New methods are needed to rapidly and inexpensively measure sugars for food applications. In collaboration with scientists at the Russian Academy of Sciences, a survey of microorganisms identified two isolates that show potential for use in biosensors to selectively detect the sugars sucrose and maltose. Results are of potential value to scientists developing methods for the food industry.

Technical Abstract: Seven microbial strains were screened for their ability to detect disaccharides as components of Clark-type oxygen biosensors. Sensors responded to varying degrees to maltose, cellobiose, sucrose, and melibiose, but none responded strongly to lactose. Although microbial sensors are relatively nonspecific, it is possible to obtain differential measurements of specific substrates using multiple sensors with different relative specificities. For example, Escherichia coli strain K-802 oxidized maltose but had low activity against sucrose, while Bacillus subtilis strain VKM B-434 responded more strongly to sucrose than maltose. Furthermore, signals from these two sensors were additive for selected samples. Results suggest that a two-component biosensor utilizing these strains could be used for differential detection of sucrose and maltose.