A challenge to detect musty odor of water using insect olfactory receptors

Musty odor of tap water originates from odorous compounds produced by organisms such as algae in water bodies serving as drinking water sources. Simple and rapid detection of odorous compounds in water sources allows an early decision-make to take effective measures including temporary stop of water intake, change of location or depth for water intake, and advanced treatment at water treatment plants. Recent progress in genetic engineering allows to introduce insect olfactory receptors into cultured cells to produce sensitive and selective biosensors. We have been challenging to apply a geosmin-specific sensor cell to monitor geosmin in water.