Algal Biosensors for Detection of Potentially Toxic Pollutants and Validation by Advanced Methods: A Brief Review

Abstract

The presence of potentially toxic pollutants, such as pesticides and metal ions, even at low concentrations, can significantly impact aquatic environmental health. This pollution is a globally widespread problem and requires fast and reliable analysis, especially for in-situ identification/quantification. Atomic absorption spectrometry and plasma-based spectrometry techniques have been considered the most analytical tools used to monitor potentially toxic metal ions in aquatic media and other related matrices. The dynamics of global climate change and its correlation with pollution, especially from anthropogenic sources, have encouraged the development of other faster analytical tools for monitoring these pollutants. A noteworthy alternative for determining potentially toxic pollutants is using algae-based biosensors, resulting in a cost reduction and simplification of environmental analysis, enabling a more reliable comprehension of the role of humans in climate change. These biosensors, which may not have the highest sensitivity in quantification, have demonstrated remarkable potential in the identification of potentially toxic pollutants and several field applications. Biosensors can be an excellent biotechnology solution for monitoring global environmental changes. Thus, this review highlights the main advances in developing and comparing algae-based biosensors and other analytical possibilities for the identification of potentially toxic pollutants and their possible applications in environmental analysis.

Keywords

• algae-based biosensors
• metal ions determination
• environmental analysis
• aquatic environmental health
• herbicide determination