Use of chromogenic substrates in personal monitors for the detection of protease in factory air: A theoretical model

A model is presented which predicts the accumulation of an airborne protease enzyme in an aerosol sampler. The model allows the prediction of the product accumulation as a result of the catalysis by the enzyme of a chromogenic substrate. The first and second derivatives of the product accumulation curve are calculated and used to evaluate the best parameter for the device. If the device is to be used for the detection of a pulse of a high local concentration of protease then it is necessary for the device to be able to measure the first derivative of the product accumulation curve. Factors affecting the sensitivity of the device are discussed.