Biochemical sensor and novel media for bioelectrochemical reactions

• US 5,922,616 A
• Filed: 07/23/1997
• Issued: 07/13/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cranfield University
• Original Assignee: Cranfield University
• Inventors: Hall, Jennifer Maeve, Dennison, Manus Joseph, Turner, Anthony Peter Francis
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Christopher L.
• Application Number:
  US08/836,891
• Time in Patent Office: 720 Days
• Field of Search: 422/55, 422/57, 422/68.1, 422/83, 422/88, 422/82.05, 435/287.1, 435/287.2, 435/287.5, 435/288.7, 435/807, 435/808, 436/518, 436/524, 436/527, 436/525, 436/805, 436/807, 436/149, 436/164, 436/806, 204/400, 204/403, 204/414, 204/424
• US Class Current: 205/777.5
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/001 Enzyme electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/002 Electrode membranes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 435/807 Gas detection apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 435/808 Optical sensing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/805 Optical property
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/806 Electrical property or magnetic property
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/807 Apparatus included in process claim, e.g. physical support structures

Abstract

The invention provides a sensor for detecting an analyte comprising a support for a bioreceptor or biomimic and a detection means, wherein the support can retain a bioreceptor or biomimic and the support and the bioreceptor or biomimic and the detection means can be arranged such that when the sensor is placed in a medium containing a substrate, the substrate contacts the bioreceptor or biomimic and reacts to generate a response which is detectable by the detection means and which is relatable to the concentration of the analyte, and the support comprises a non-volatile organic liquid.

Claims

1. A sensor for detecting an analyte in a gaseous or vapour phase comprising a support for a bioreceptor or biomimic and a detection means, wherein a bioreceptor or biomimic is immobilised at the support and the support and the bioreceptor or biomimic and the detection means can be arranged such that when the sensor is placed in a medium containing a substrate, the substrate contacts the bioreceptor or biomimic and reacts to generate a response which is detectable by the detection means and which is relatable to the concentration of the analyte, characterised in that the support comprises a non-volatile organic liquid having a vapour pressure no greater than 18 mmHg at 20°

C. and a boiling point above 100°

C.

2. A sensor according to claim 1 in which the non-volatile organic liquid is arranged in a layer having a thickness no greater than 5 mm.

3. A sensor according to claim 1 in which the detection means comprises an electrode on which the support is arranged whereby when the electrode is placed in a medium containing a substrate, the substrate can contact the bioreceptor or biomimic and react generating an electrical response.

4. A sensor according to claim 1 in which the detection means comprises a colour indicator and means for the indicator to interact with the bioreceptor or biomimic in the presence of the analyte.

5. A sensor according to claim 1 in which the support consists essentially only of the non-volatile organic liquid.

6. A sensor according to claim 1 in which the non-volatile organic liquid has an affinity for the analyte.

7. A sensor according to claim 1 in which the organic liquid has a viscosity of at least 10 cps at 20°

C.

8. A sensor according to claim 1 in which the non-volatile organic liquid has a vapour pressure no greater than 10 mmHg at 20°

C.

9. A sensor according to claim 1 in which the boiling point of the organic liquid is above 120°

C.

10. A sensor according to claim 1 in which the support comprises at least 2% by weight (based on the weight of organic liquid) water.

11. A sensor according to claim 10 in which the organic liquid is water immiscible.

12. A sensor according to claim 1 in which the organic liquid comprises glycerol.

13. A sensor according to claim 1 in which the bioreceptor or biomimic is an enzyme.

14. A method for detecting an analyte comprising contacting a sensor according to claim 1 and measuring the response.

15. A method for detecting an analyte in a gaseous or vapor phase, comprising:

placing a sensor in said gaseous or vapor phase, the sensor comprising a support, a bioreceptor or biomimic immobilized at the support, and a detection means,

wherein the support comprises a non-volatile organic liquid having a vapor pressure no greater than 18 mmHg at 20°

C. and a boiling point above 100°

C.,

contacting the analyte with the sensor, whereby a substrate is contacted with the bioreceptor or biomimic whereby a reaction of said substrate takes place in the support which generates a response,

detecting the response by the detection means, and

relating the response to a concentration of the analyte, wherein

i) the analyte is the substrate,

ii) the analyte is a precursor for the substrate which reacts at, or in, the support to form the substrate,

iii) the analyte is an inhibitor of the reaction of the substrate at the bioreceptor or biomimic, or

iv) the analyte is a precursor for an inhibitor of the reaction of the substrate at the bioreceptor or biomimic.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the non-volatile organic liquid is arranged in a layer having a thickness no greater than 5 mm.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the detection means comprises an electrode on which the support is arranged, whereby when the electrode is placed in a medium containing a substrate, the substrate can contact the bioreceptor or biomimic and react, generating an electrical response.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the detection means comprises a color indicator and means for the indicator to interact with the bioreceptor or biomimic in the presence of the analyte.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the support consists essentially of the non-volatile organic liquid.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the non-volatile organic liquid has an affinity for the analyte.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein the organic liquid has a viscosity of at least 10 cps at 20°

C.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein the non-volatile organic liquid has a vapor pressure no greater than 10 mmHg at 20°

C.

23. The method of claim 15, wherein the boiling point of the organic liquid is above 120°

C.

24. The method of claim 15, wherein the support comprises at least 2% by weight (based on the weight of organic liquid) water.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the organic liquid is water immiscible.

26. The method of claim 15, wherein the organic liquid comprises glycerol.

27. The method of claim 15, wherein the bioreceptor or biomimic is an enzyme.

28. A method for detecting an analyte in a gaseous or vapor phase, comprising:

placing a sensor in said gaseous or vapor phase, the sensor comprising a support, a bioreceptor or biomimic immobilized at the support, and a detection means,

wherein the support comprises a non-volatile organic liquid having a pressure no greater than 18 mmHg at 20°

C. and a boiling point above 100°

C.,

contacting the analyte with the bioreceptor or biomimic whereby a reaction takes place in the support which generates a response,

detecting the response by the detection means, and

relating the response to a concentration of the analyte.

29. A method for detecting an analyte in a gaseous or vapor phase, comprising:

placing a sensor in said gaseous or vapor phase, the sensor comprising a support, a bioreceptor or biomimic immobilized at the support, and a detection means,

wherein the support comprises a non-volatile organic liquid having a vapor pressure of no greater than 18 mmHg at 20°

C. and a boiling point of 100°

C.,

reacting the analyte at, or in, the support to form a substrate,

contacting the substrate with the bioreceptor or biomimic whereby a reaction of the substrate takes place in the support which generates a response,

detecting the response by the detection means, and

relating the response to a concentration of the analyte.