This article provides a review of the published literature describing the use of biosensors and biologically-inspired systems for explosives detection. The review focusses on the use of antibodies, enzymes, biologically-inspired synthetic ligands and whole-cell biosensors, providing a flavour of the range of technology, formats and approaches that can be used to detect explosives using biological systems.

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is used to detect 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) in a novel sandwiched structure which relies on the specific interactions between (i) primary amine with TNT and (ii) TNT and anti-TNT aptamer. With pure targets, the assay has a sensitivity of 10(-14) M, a dynamic range of 10(-14)-10(-3) M, and employs a small sample volume (25 μL). The method's sensitivity is comparable to state of the art optical methods with the added advantages of electrochemical detection, which can be easily miniaturized and implemented into a hand-held device.

This study investigated the long‐term effects of soybean meal (SBM)‐based diets on rainbow trout quality. Two levels of SBM inclusion diets, 20% and 40%, were employed and compared with a fish meal control diet. Rainbow trout were fed one of the three diets for 6 mo, then harvested and filleted. Proximate composition, color, lipid oxidation and sensory quality of the fillets were evaluated. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and headspace propanal in ground fillets stored at 4 °C were measured over a 9‐d period. Tristimulus color was measured on day 2 and day 13 of refrigerated storage. Sensory evaluation included discriminatory (difference) and affective (acceptance) testing. TBARS and propanal in the trout fed the highest (40%) SBM level were significantly lower than in the control and trout fed the 20% SBM diet. Significant differences in color were also recorded during refrigerated storage. Sensory difference testing revealed a significant difference between the trout fed the 40% SBM and the control. No significant differences were observed in the acceptability ratings of trout fillets from the three different dietary treatments.

Genistein, the primary isoflavone in soybean, is one of the chemical components responsible for some of the off-flavors associated with soy-based foods. The potential effects of genistein on the sensory and chemical quality of fish muscle may affect the full utilization of soybean meal as an alternative protein in aquaculture diets. Fingerling trout fed commercial diets containing 0, 500, 1000, or 3000 ppm pure genistein were analyzed after 6 and 12 months of feeding. Genistein was extracted by enzymatic digestions in Tris buffer and quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. Moisture, fat, protein, ash, and tristimulus color of the fillets were determined. The extent of lipid oxidation occurring in fillets harvested after 12 months of feeding was studied by measurements of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) after 4 and 8 days of refrigerated storage at 4 degrees C. Triangle tests were performed to determine if there were any detectable sensory differences. A dietary genistein content of 3000 ppm led to the deposition of approximately 5.4 pmol of genistein/mg of fillet. Triangle test panelists were unable to detect any significant (p < or = 0.05) differences between the fillets from trout fed the 0 and 3000 ppm genistein concentrations. Moisture, ash, and protein content were influenced by time of harvest, while color was unaffected. TBARS levels on days 4 and 8 were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the fillets from the 0 ppm genistein level than in fillets from fish fed dietary genistein.