ABSTRACT
During the most recent decades, biosensors, more and more, have
been entering into our lives. Despite many advantages (e.g., efficient
and precise determination of all the toxicants in a sample) of analyt-
ical methodologies, whole-cell fiber optic biosensors have expanded
the creation of cheaper, simpler, field operative devices. In addition
to the many advantages (e.g., low price, optical measurement
sensitivity, distance sensibility capabilities and absence of electrical
interference) of the fiber optic transducers, the main advantage
of whole-cell biosensors is the capability not only to detect the
presence of bioactive compounds but also to determinate their toxic
effects. In some cases it may be more important information than
just determination of the presence of toxicants in the environment.
This chapter will review the recent advantages in whole-cell fiber
optic biosensors used for monitoring air, water, and earth toxicity.
