Books
Summarizing biosensors and electronic noses
Handbook of Biosensors and Electronic Noses: Medicine, Food, and the Environment Erika Kress-Rogers, Ed. CRC Press 2000 Corporate Blvd., N.W. Boca Raton, FL 33431 1997, 695 pp., $110
Research and development in biosensors has undergone tremendous growth over the past 10 years. This book successfully takes on the ambitious task of summarizing basic and applied research and commercial activities in thisfieldover this period, and it further extends coverage to a less-developed specialty of biosensors, the "electronic nose". The text is conveniently divided into five major sections. In Part I, "Introduction to the Handbook", the editor sets the tone by defining three major categories for biosensors, based on the recognition element used: metabolism biosensors (e.g., enzyme electrodes), affinity biosensors (e.g., immunosensors), and recombinant biosensors (e.g., DNA probes). Further sub-classification is based on the transducer type. In my opinion, KressRogers and the other contributors to this volume unlike other authors use the correct definition of a biosensor: "an analytical device that incorporates a biologically active material in intimate contact with an appropriate transduction element for the purpose of detecting reversibly and selectively the concentration or activity of 676 A
chemical species in any type of sample". It is also refreshing to see frequent reference to the work of pioneers in this field (Clark and Lyons, Updike and Hicks, etc.). Too frequently, the contributions of these pioneers are overlooked. In Part II, "Receptors, Membranes, and Devices for Biosensors", fundamentals of the recognition elements used in the three major categories of biosensors (enzymes and whole cells, antibodies and antigens, and DNA fragments) are reviewed. Included is a chapter that deals specifically with membrane optimization to improve electrochemical biosensor performance. The last three chapters of this section discuss some of the lesser-known transducers acoustic devices and devices based on surface plasmon resonance and total internal reflectance. These chapters offer a good mix of the theoretical aspects of sensor operation and the practical aspects of sensor construction and receptor immobilization Parts III and IV, "Metabolism and Bioaffinity Sensors for Medicine, Food and the Environment" and "On-line and In Vivo Monitoring and Control" are oriented toward practical applications. Topics such as sensor reversibility, selectivity, response times, and schemes for optimizing immobilization of affinity agents are dealt with, all with a view toward solving real-world measurement problems. Some chapters tackle detailed measurement problems, while others give broad overviews of specific sensor technologies before covering applications. Although the latter approach and Part II have some redundancy, it serves to refocus the reader on a certain technology before covering practical Commercial terns based on biosensors are reviewed in considerable detail in these sections particularly for the clinical and biomedical,areas Although these presentations are not comprehensive the information is accurate and u to-date
Analytical Chemistry News & Features, November 1, 1997
In Part V, 'Toward the Electronic Nose", the recognition and transduction approach used for biosensor design is extended to detection devices for volatile compounds in applications such as monitoring aroma or detecting toxic solvent vapors. To this end, researchers have turned toward nature to copy the design of the mammalian olfactory system. The result is a set of sensors using primarily conductometric, calorimetric, and acoustic transducer technologies with broad selectivity toward classes of compounds. Membranes are being used to enhance selectivity by promoting selective extraction of volatile compounds at sensor surfaces. Because of the limitation in selectivity, arrays of sensors, each with different sensitivity toward a class of compounds, are used. Computational techniques such as pattern recognition analysis are necessary to extract quantitative information from the data. This subject is a fascinating extension of biosensor technology, which is still in its infancy and is adequately reviewed in this handbook. This book primarily gives the European perspective on the state-of-the-art of biosensors (42 of the 48 authors are European) . Allhough a more global perspective on biosensors might have been preferred, many scientists working in the field, myself included, believe that the majority of new developments in biosensors today are coming from Europe. My first impression was that the book was designed to be a practtcal guide to "help you choose the best combination of sensors, sample handling, and signal processing, providing optimum performance for specific applications and savingtimeand money". Except for some isolated examples, this was not the case. A novice in this field, seeking a practical solution to a specific measurement problem, might quickly become frustrated with the book. However, the references are complete and up-to-date. S0003-2700(97)09039-2 CCC: $14.00 © 1997 American Chemical Society
The subject index is also quite helpful in navigating through the voluminous text. With some perseverance, the reader shouldfindpractical information about any analytical chemistry problem to which biosensors might be applied. Only two out of 27 chapters are either too superficial in their treatment, or contain references and information that are out-of-date. The balance is written in clear and understandable styles, contains current information, and should be of value to most scientists, even those with a limited knowledge of biosensors. Reviewed by Paul D'Orazio of Chiron Diagnostics. BOOKS RECEIVED Analysis and Deformulation of Polymeric Materials Jan W. Gooch Plenum Publishing Corporation 233 Spring St. New York, NY 10013 1997, 332 pp., $95
This book is designed for those interested in the composition of paints, plastics, adhesives, and inks. Analytical methods for surface and bulk analysis of such polymeric materials are discussed, followed by deformulation schemes for breaking them down into their individual components. Chemometrics in Environmental Analysis
damental concepts of chemometric methods, illustrated with analytical/environmental examples. The remainder of the book is more problem-oriented, presenting case studies applicable to real-world environmental analyses. Analytical Use of Fluorescent Probes in Oncology Elli Kohen and Joseph G. Hirschber, Eds. Plenum Publishing 233 Spring St. New York, NY 10013 1996, 448 pp., $125
The proceedings of a NATO workshop on the Analytical Use of Fluorescent Probes in Oncology, held in October of 1995, are presented in this book. Significant advances in the areas of cell and tissue physiology from in vivo and in situ fluorescence studies are highlighted. Protein NMR Techniques David G. Reid, Ed. Humana Press 999 Riverview Dr., Suite 208 Totowa, New Jersey 07512 1997, 429 pp., $79.50
The book describes various NMR techniques for studying the properties of proteins. Advances in the determination of protein structures as well as coverage of paramagnetic metalloproteins are included. Macrocyclic Compounds in Analytical Chemistry
Jurgen W. Einax, Heinz W. Zwanziger, and Sabine GeiB John Wiley & Sons 605 Third Ave. New York, NY 10158 1997, 384 pp., $79.95
Yury A. Zolotov, Ed. John Wiley & Sons 605 Third Ave. New York, NY 10158 1997, 424 pp., $84.95
Two main parts compose this book. In the first part the reader is introduced to fun-
General methods for the synthesis of macrocyclic compounds are presented in the
first chapter of this book, followed by a chapter on their complexation and selectivity. The remainder of the book focuses on the use of macrocycles in metal extraction, sorption and chromatography, ionselective electrodes, and the formation o: host-guest complexes with organic substrates. Infrared and Raman Spectra of Inorganic and Coordination Compounds, 5th ed. Kazuo Nakamoto John Wiley & Sons 605 Third Ave. New York, NY 10158 1997, Part A: 387 pp., $64.95; Part B: 384 pp., $69.95
This two-volume book presents IR and Raman spectra for a wide range of inorganic and coordination compounds. Part A, "Theory and Applications in Inorganic Chemistry", focuses on relatively simple inorganic compounds, leaving the larger, more complicated systems for Part B, "Applications in Coordination, Organometallic, and Bioinorganic Chemistry". Applications of Atomic Spectrometry to Regulatory Compliance Monitoring, 2nd ed. Stephen W. Jenniss, Sidney A. Katz, and Richard W. Lynch John Wiley & Sons 605 Third Ave. New York, NY 10158 1997, 248 pp.. $100
This book lists methods for the determination of metals by AAS, ICP-AES, and ICPMS for compliance monitoring of air and water quality, wastes, biological tissues, and food samples. All the methods are currently recognized by regulatory agencies such as EPA FDA, and OSHA
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