Patent ID: 7422892
Filing Date: 2008-09-09
Classification: C12Q

Abstract:
1. An enzyme-based environmental monitoring device for detecting a target analyte comprising: an immobilized enzyme; a mechanism for continuously or coordinated intermittently delivering an environmental sample to said immobilized enzyme, wherein said environmental sample optionally contains a target analyte; a mechanism for continuously or semi-continuously delivering an enzyme substrate compound and optionally a pH sensitive dye to said immobilized enzyme; and one or more sensors located at a point downstream of the area of interaction of said immobilized enzyme, said environmental sample, and said enzyme substrate compound, for detecting for extended periods of operation the level of enzyme activity of said immobilized enzyme and presence, if any, of said target analyte, wherein said target analyte acts as an enzyme inhibitor in the presence of said immobilized enzyme and said enzyme substrate compound, and wherein said environmental sample is either water, air, or a combination thereof.