Patent ID: 6673222
Filing Date: 2004-01-06
Classification: C12Q,G01N

Abstract:
A probe for monitoring the activity of sulphide producing microorganisms in the environment of a structure incorporating a metal including:(1) an enzyme electrode; (2) a counter electrode; (3) a reference electrode; and (4) a corrosion electrode; which are all connectable to a suitable electrical system for both data acquisition, data storage, and data retrieval, wherein: the enzyme electrode comprises an immobilised source of sulfide oxidase enzyme, together with a cofactor, immobilised in a water permeable non-conducting binder on a biologically inert electrically conducting substrate; the cofactor comprises an artificial mediator that replaces oxygen under an aerobic conditions; the counter electrode comprises a biologically inert electrically conducting electrode; the reference electrode comprises a biologically inert electrically conducting electrode; and the corrosion electrode comprises a metal electrode.