Detection of photosynthetic herbicides: Algal growth inhibition test vs. electrochemical photosystem II biosensor

We compared a novel PSII-biosensor assay with a standard algal growth inhibition test for detection of photosynthetic herbicides—diuron, atrazine and isoproturon in liquid samples. To evaluate the convenience and sensitivity, values of the parameters EC50 and LOD and the duration of assays were compared. The biosensor assay was made with an electrochemical biosensor toxicity analyser with immobilised Photosystem II (PSII) complex. Using the PSII-biosensor assay, higher sensitivity (LOD) to herbicides (10−8–10−9 M) was achieved as compared to standard algal growth inhibition tests (about 10−7 M). The results of both assays showed a good correlation as concerns their EC50 values while the interval of detectable concentrations is about twice wider for PSII-biosensor. A proposed measurement protocol includes the reference standard of phytotoxicity (RSP). The main advantage of the PSII-biosensor assay is that it can be completed in about 1 h and is by 1–2 orders more sensitive than standard algal growth inhibition test, which takes 72 h.