Biosensors developments and potential applications in the agricultural diagnosis sector

There has been a phenomenal growth in the field of biosensor development in recent years with emerging applications in a wide range of disciplines, including medical analysis, food and the environment. The increase in the number of analytes requiring monitoring and others that require control, and the need for high sensitivity, speed, and accuracy of analytical measurements have stimulated considerable interest in developing sensors as diagnostics tools. A range of molecules with biorecognition powers are available naturally such as antibodies, enzymes, cell receptors and nucleic acids and are used as the sensing receptors in biosensors. The combined approaches of computer (molecular) modelling and combinatorial synthesis or molecularly imprinted polymers are undertaken today as a new method to produce synthetic receptors that can be used in sensor development. A wide range of transducers is also feasible to fulfil the rapid monitoring needs of the diagnostic market. Biosensors can also be incorporated into simple-to-use instruments as an on-line monitoring device or a one-shot sensor. This paper deals with recent developments in biosensors and their potential use in the agricultural diagnostic market. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.