Project Title:

Fiber-Optic Chemiluminescent Biosensors for Monitoring Aqueous

Umpqua Research Company
P.O. Box 791
Myrtle Creek, OR 97457

93-1-12.06-7770A       AMOUNT REQUESTED $70,000.00

Fiber-Optic Chemiluminescent Biosensors for Monitoring Aqueous 
Alcohols and Other Water Quality Parameters.

Abstract:

The proposed Fiber-Optic Chemiluminescent Biosensor concept forms
the basis for the development of a new class of light weight,
small, low power, inexpensive robust, accurate and extremely
sensitive sensors which can be applied to various analytical
requirements within the aerospace biomedical, ECLSS and CELSS
fields. Immobilized enzymes are used to facilitate oxidation of the
target molecules, producing hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide
then oxidizes an immobilized luminophore, producing quanta of
visible light which are conducted along a fiber-optic pathway to a
photodetector. Using this technique, sensors can be developed with
low parts per billion (ppb) detection limits for a broad range of
aqueous substances such as alcohols, sugars, amino acids, and
inorganic oxidants. The technique can readily be adapted to both
the analysis of individual sample and to the on-line continuous
monitoring of an aqueous stream and also forms the basis for
development of highly specific and sensitive detectors for gas and
liquid chromatography.

A strong potential exists for commercialization in the areas of
clinical chemistry, biomedical and pharmaceutical research, where
a critical need exists for accurate, sensitive and reliable
instruments for the determination of glucose, amino acids, lactic
acid, etc. Continuous monitors using ethanol, hydrogen peroxide,
and ozone sensors are needed for control of fermentation,
disinfection and environmental remediation processes. New detector
technologies for gas and liquid chromatography are highly
marketable.

Biosensor, Chemiluminescence, Fiber-optic, Immobilized Enzyme,
Chromatography Detector