Flow-type cyanide sensor using an immobilized microorganism

A flow system for cyanide detection using Saccharomyces cerevisiae is described. This sensor system consists of two oxygen electrodes and immobilized S. cerevisiae whose respiration activity is measured by the oxygen electrodes. Since cyanide inhibits S. cerevisiae's respiration, it can be detected by measuring this inhibition. Two types of systems were constructed, characterized and compared. One is a membrane‐type flow system in which S. cerevisiae was immobilized onto a cellulose membrane. The other is a reactor‐type flow system in which S. cerevisiae was immobilized onto the glass beads. The sensor response was examined in the range from 0 to 15μM. The reactor‐type sensor system displayed lower detection limit (0.15 μM) and better stability (16 days).