Data for: A Method for Detecting Perfluorooctanoic Acid and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate in Water Samples Using Genetically Engineered Bacterial Biosensor

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) are among the toxic organic pollutants synthesized by humans. Both the compounds have been classified under persistent organic compounds by environmental protection agency. PFOA and PFOS are endocrine disrupting compounds that may have adverse effects on developmental, reproductive, neurological and immune system. The concentration of PFOA and PFOS if exceeds the permissible limit, they cause adverse effects to human and animals through bio-accumulation. Both the compounds have been found in the environment worldwide. Standard analytical methods such as high performance liquid chromatograph and liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer used for detection of PFOA and PFOS provides accurate quantification of these compounds but these methods are highly precise, expensive and require sample purification step before analysis. Hence, it is important to develop non-chromatographic methods for the detection of PFOA and PFOS in water samples. The present method relates to a biological method for detecting PFOA and PFOS compounds in water samples using genetically engineered bacterial biosensor which carries green fluorescence protein (gfp) as a reporter gene. The developed bacterial biosensor detects the PFOA and PFOS compounds in different water samples upon induction of regulatory gene and expression of green fluorescence protein. The biosensor was successfully used for the detection of PFOA or/and PFOS in different water samples (river, lakes and wastewater samples).