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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 #243672
Title: Screening Substrate Properties of Microorganisms for Biosensor Detection of Oligosaccharides

Author
item KITOVA, A - Russian Academy Of Sciences
item Leathers, Timothy
item RESHETILOV, A - Russian Academy Of Sciences

Submitted to: Water:Chemistry and Ecology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/2/2010
Publication Date: 3/1/2010
Citation: Kitova, A.E., Leathers, T.D., Reshetilov, A.N. 2009. Screening Substrate Properties of Microorganisms for Biosensor Detection of Oligosaccharides. Water:Chemistry and Ecology. 5:24-31 (In Russian).

Interpretive Summary: This research identified microorganisms with potential for use in biosensors for selective detection of oligosaccharides (short sugar polymers). New methods are needed to rapidly and inexpensively measure oligosaccharides that have value 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 sugars. These results are of potential value to scientists working to develop new biosensors for the food industry.

Technical Abstract: Oligosaccharides feature high biological activity ensuring their wide application in the biotechnology, food, and cosmetic industries. On the other hand they are considered environmental pollutants. The study outlines a biosensor approach to detect these substances which is important from above standpoints. We examined substrate specificity of some yeast and bacterial strains to di- and trisaccharides, namely: maltose, cellobiose, sucrose, raffinose, lactose, and melibiose. The majority of strains were found to be sensitive to three substrates - maltose, cellobiose and melibiose. The profile of substrate specificity allowed singling out two strains having high oxidizing activity to sucrose and maltose. Thus, a strain of B. subtilis was active in oxidizing sucrose and maltose, while E. coli strain K-802 oxidized maltose with a high rate and had low oxidizing activity towards sucrose. These strains were chosen as a basis for biosensors to explore further their selective detection potential. The linear range of detection of maltose using B. subtilis was 0.005 - 0.5 mM; for sucrose, this range was 0.05 - 5 mM. The linear response range for the E. coli K-802 sensor (for maltose) was 0.05-5 mM. The variance was 6%. The time to measure a single sample was under 10-15 minutes.