The Application of Cholinesterase Potentiometric Biosensor for Preliminary Screening of the Toxicity of Waste Waters

Abstract

The application of cholinesterase biosensor for preliminary testing of total pollution of domestic and industrial discharges has been investigated. The results indicate that biosensor-based testing is more sensitive than paramecia bioassay. For numerous samples tested, the inhibition degree of biosensor response exceeds the appropriate value of acute toxicity on Paramecium caudatum. Electrochemical oxidation of the samples, before the biosensor testing readily removes oxidizable compounds which do not effect a real risk of environmental pollution. Simultaneous determination of inhibitory effect, acute toxicity and biochemical (chemical) oxygen demand makes it possible to infer a possible source of contamination of waters.