Mini Review on the Potential of Algal Biosensors in Wastewater Monitoring

For biomass production and bioremediation, Algae have been extensively exploited for biosensing in wastewater monitoring. Their advantages include the coupling of suitable bioreceptor for monitoring photosynthesis oxygen, their potential to be integrated into dual transduction miniaturized devices and detect the effect due to pollutants present in water with continuous monitoring of the environment. Microalgae are photosynthetic microorganisms that are very sensitive and reactive toward any change in the environment. And also able to detect any trace amount of pollutants. The performance of algal biosensors towards pollutants represents a good alternative to other developing sensors. In the algal biosensor, the algal cell is entrapped in galling material (Alginate, Carrageenan) and immobilized cells for stabilization with ions (Ca²⁺, K⁺). Genetically modified biosensor overcomes the limitation of natural biosensor. Whole-cell biosensors are highly sensitive to herbicides in wastewater, and many other bioreceptor of algal cells those sensitive to different types of pollutants. The present algal sensor is much smaller, valid support in smart agriculture, environmentally friendly and less expensive, the easily accessible.