A microbial sensor for BOD

A microbial amperometric sensor for the determination of the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) determination using Trichosporon cutaneum cells immobilized in polyvinylalcohol has been developed. This sensor allowed BOD measurement with very short response times (< 30 s), an operation stability of 48 days and a serial coefficient of variation of ±3.3% when a sample solution containing 22 mg l⁻¹ BOD was employed. A linear range was obtained up to 100 mg l⁻¹ BOD using a glucose/glutamic acid standard. The sensitivity and specificity was increased by incubation of the BOD sensor with the respective wastewater. Comparable results were obtained for BOD values estimated by the biosensor and those determined by the 5-day method.