Full integration of photonic nanoimmunosensors in portable platforms for on-line monitoring of ocean pollutants

Abstract We have developed a photonic nano-immunosensor platform for the on-site analysis of harmful organic ocean pollutants, intended to be allocated in stand-alone buoys. The main aim is bringing the monitoring tools directly to the contaminated place, resulting in cost and time savings as compared to the standard analytical techniques. As sensor we have employed an integrated asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometer (aMZI) of micro/nano dimensions, based on silicon photonic technology. In order to obtain a multiplexed system, a four-channel microfluidic cell has been designed, manufactured and incorporated in the miniaturized sensor. Additionally, a microfluidic delivery module enabling automatic sample analysis has been designed, evaluated and assembled. Moreover, we have implemented the optical interconnections of the sensor chip by fiber optics, as well the electronics and the required software and data processing. Pollutant detection is based on a competitive immunoassay using bioreceptors previously biofunctionalized on the aMZI sensor arms and incubation with a specific antibody. As proof of concept, two types of pollutants have been analysed: the biocide Irgarol 1051, and the antibiotic Tetracycline. Results show limits of detection in the range of few ng/mL, accomplished the European legislation.