1.3.1.19 | analysis |
Escherichia coli, which carry genes coding for benzene dioxygenase and benzene dihydrodiol dehydrogenase, can be used to monitor benzene pollution in environmental airsamples collected from an oil refinery. The procedures involving whole-cell bioassays determine the concentration of benzene through benzene dioxygenase activity, which allows for direct correlation of oxygen consumption, and through the benzene dihydrodiol dehydrogenase that causes catechol accumulation and restores NADH necessary for the activity of the first enzyme. The assay is sensitive enough to detect the benzene vapor at a concentration level of 0.01 mM in about 30 min. The assay is applicalble to on-line monitoring of benzene concentration, no particular treatment of environmental samples is required |
-, 711842 |