Chemosensing Method for Detection of Musty & Earthy Odor in Water

In developed countries, consumers' assessment of drinking water quality goes beyond the regulatory requirements of chemical and biological contaminants that are detrimental to health. Quality is intricately linked to the taste and odor of the drinking water. As such, this has increasingly become a concern for drinking water suppliers. Geosmin (GSM) and 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB) are two compounds that are responsible for the musty and earthy odor in drinking water.

This technology relates to a method for the detection of GSM and 2-MIB using a fluorescent displacement assay based on specially designed molecular imprinted polymers. This method is faster, cheaper, and visually detectable as well as can be used in the field as compared to conventional gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry (GC-MS) techniques. Prior to GC-MS analysis, tedious pre-treatments are required. Furthermore, the chemosensing method can be potentially applied to water quality and monitoring of other small molecule contaminants as well. 

The chemosensing method for the detection of GSM and 2-MIB is developed using a competitive displacement technique based on molecular imprinted polymers (MIPs) and fluorescent tags. The MIPs are synthesized using the analyte analogues as templates.

Technology Features:

• A visual, rapid, portable and cost-effective method for the detection of two algal metabolites (GSM & 2-MIB)
• Qualitative detection - Lower limit of detection for GSM @ 69 micrograms/L and 2-MIB @ 48 micrograms/L
• Quantitative detection - Fluorescence sensing when GSM or 2-MIB displaces fluorescence tags (in the presence of UV)
• Absence of cross-reactivity, non-specific (false positive) binding and matrix complications 
• Polymeric beads and chemical probes for detection
• Handheld UV light for improved visualization

This technology is applicable for quick water quality monitoring of small chemical contaminants in water bodies and drinking water. 

• A cost-effective and sensitive method for monitoring water quality
• Faster detection compared to conventional GC-MS method