Amperometric algal Chlorella vulgaris cell biosensors based on alginate and polypyrrole-alginate gels

The successful development and analytical performances of two biosensor configurations based on the entrapment of algal cells of Chlorella vulgaris into either a regular alginate gel or a newly synthesized pyrrole-alginate matrix are reported. These biosensors were compared in terms of their amperometric current measurements to p-nitrophenyl phosphate when used as substrate for the detection of an algal alkaline phosphatase activity. The high stability of the pyrrole-alginate gel when compared to that of the alginate coating is herein demonstrated.