Biosystem for chemical contaminant detection

What is it?

A novel method for detecting chemicals based on inhibition of the activity of cytochrome P450 (CYP) family enzymes. The system detects a decrease in the signal generated by the catalytic reaction of CYP enzymes, indicating the presence of a chemical substance acting as an inhibitor.

The problem it solves

It enables rapid detection of chemical substances, providing an alternative or complementary tool to conventional methods such as chromatography which, while accurate and sensitive, are costly and require specialised laboratories. It also improves the performance of many current biosensors by enabling the simultaneous detection of multiple chemical substances.

How does it work?

A simple measurement protocol comprising the following steps:

• Incubation of CYP enzymes with the sample or extract to be analysed.
• Addition of a substrate or a mixture of substrates.
• Determination of the resulting signal.
• Comparison with a reference to determine the inhibition percentage, which is associated with the presence of chemicals that inhibit CYP enzymes.

Key benefits

• Multi-analyte detection capability (simultaneous detection of multiple chemical substances).
• Applicable to complex matrices such as foods, water, and biological and/or environmental samples.
• Fast response, low cost and portability (potential for on-site application), reducing dependence on external laboratories.
• Adaptable workflows depending on needs.

Use cases

• Monitoring fresh or processed foods to detect chemical contamination.
• Applicable to a wide range of chemical substances: per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), brominated flame retardants (BFRs), PCBs, dioxins and furans, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and toxins of biological origin (e.g., marine biotoxins).