Grantee Research Project Results

Final Report: Rapid and simple MC-LR check to monitor blooms for early action

EPA Grant Number: SU840568
Title: Rapid and simple MC-LR check to monitor blooms for early action
Investigators: Lee, Woo Hyoung , Hwang, Jae-Hoon
Institution: University of Central Florida
EPA Project Officer: Brooks, Donald
Phase: I
Project Period: August 1, 2023 through July 31, 2024
Project Amount: $25,000
RFA: 19th Annual P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet Request for Applications (RFA) (2022) RFA Text |  Recipients Lists
Research Category: P3 Awards

Objective:

The specific research objectives of this study were to: (1) design and fabricate a low-cost biosensor for the detection of MC-LR; (2) characterize and evaluate the optimal parameter conditions for biosensor performance; and (3) evaluate the environmental practice and wireless biosensor for MC-LR detection. HAB can cause various ecological problems such as oxygen depletion and alteration of food web dynamics, thereby endangering many aquatic organisms. The developed biosensor will have a positive impact on the planet due to its ability to monitor HAB toxins rapidly and simply for early monitoring and mitigation of HAB events in recreational waters and drinking water sources. Cyanotoxins may cause health risks in people including respiratory problems, liver and kidney damage, and neurological problems. People can be exposed to the toxin through inhalation, direct consumption through drinking or recreational use, or indirect consumption from animals (e.g., fish) that were exposed to the toxins. The proposed biosensor can be implemented into early action, reducing potential health risks to humans. Furthermore, the development of an innovative and cost-effective solution to monitor algal toxins is related to economic prosperity as we will use the electrochemical method as a low-cost, simple, and portable alternative to an early monitoring system compared to conventional analytical methods. Overall, the development of the biosensor has great potential for a sustainable approach to the monitoring of blooms for early action. In addition, this research has the potential to inform those in academia and the community about the innovative approach to the design and necessity of cyanotoxin detection due to the health risks associated. A presentation of the results of this P3 project will be addressed and shared with UCF’s chapter of Engineers without Borders (EWB) and the Society of Environmental Engineers (SEE), which will also be open to the community.

Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):

Overall, the Phase I project successfully developed and fabricated an antibody-based MC-LR biosensor using a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) for rapid MC-LR detection in water. Furthermore, the low-cost, user-friendly, and highly efficient design of the antibody-based biosensor allows it to be economically feasible for commercial use, contributing to prosperity. These considerations focusing on people, prosperity, and the planet contribute to advancing global sustainability practices that will ensure the protection and conservation of natural resources for generations to come in a rapidly developing world. The economic and technical feasibility of the biosensor is high as contributes to accurate but less costly, simple, and rapid MC-LR detection. The use of the SPCEs as a major component for the fabrication of the MC-LR biosensor contributes to the overall economic design as they are readily available and can easily be mass-produced by different manufacturers for as low as $4 per sensor compared to the ELISA and the LC/MS/MS methods for certified MC-LR analysis which cost about $20 and $150 respectively according to an EPA report on water treatment optimization for cyanotoxins (USEPA, 2016). The analysis time for MC-LR detection using biosensors is estimated at 1.5 hours which is comparable to ELISA and the LC/MS/MS. However, further improvement in sample incubation times and the development of standard solutions could reduce the measurement time to about 30 – 45 minutes which will make MC-LR measurement even simpler for improved MC-LR monitoring and safeguarding of public health. The developed biosensors are intended as an innovative and simple method to monitor harmful algal toxins detection for early action (CWA: Clean Water Act—Section 104). This technology also demonstrates the potential for point-of-use water toxins detection or homes in tribal and disadvantaged communities (SDWA: Safe Drinking Water Act – Section 1442).

Conclusions:

There are numerous methods to investigate MC-LR detection using biosensors, but there is no rapid, low-cost, and easily operational method. In this study, using EIS, an antibody-based MC-LR biosensor was successfully fabricated and applied for detecting MC-LR in real surface water samples. The functionalization of the electrode surface was confirmed with surface characterization methods. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used for evaluating the sensor performance with a working range of 0.1 and 100 μg L-1, a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.69 ng L-1, and a minimal interference against other common MCs and possible coexisting ions in water. The biosensor also and excellent performance in a natural surface water system with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 0.65%. The MC-LR biosensor showed acceptable functionality with a shelf life of up to 12 weeks. The portability of the biosensor was demonstrated with a handheld potentiostat using an open-source “universal wireless electrochemical detector (UWED)” device for on-site MC-LR detection and this makes the design unique in that it has the potential to be used by anyone, anywhere. The MC-LR biosensor can be further developed and commercialized by simplifying the detection method and the measuring device by potential users in the laboratory analytical device manufacturing industry (e.g., LC/MS/MS and ELISA). The main benefit of this sensor is that the need for a laboratory analysis, which is time-consuming and high in cost, is mitigated for the use of quick MC-LR detection in surface water.

Journal Articles:

No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 7 publications for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

Biosensor, Cyanobacteria, Electrochemical sensors, Environmental monitoring, Microcystin, MC-LR, Modified electrode, Screen-printed carbon electrode

Relevant Websites:

Microsensor Biofilm Research Laboratory Exit