JPH04348270A - Pollen sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a pollen sensor capable of simply measuring the amount of pollen suspended in the air and capable of discriminating the kind of pollen. CONSTITUTION:A pollen sensor 11 is equipped with a first membrane 17 constituted by immobilizing amino acid oxidase on a porous polyacrylonitrile film with thickness of about 50mum, the second membrane 19 laminated to the first membrane 17 and constituted by immobilizing protease on the same porous film, an electrode 15 for detecting hydrogen peroxide generated in the first membrane and a drip device 21 supplying water or an aqueous solution to the second membrane in order to wet said membrane. A plurality of the pollen sensors 11 are mounted to differentiate one of or both of proteinase and the liquid wetting the second membrane at every pollen sensors.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pollen sensor suitable for use in quantifying the amount of airborne pollen and determining the type of pollen.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, an allergy called hay fever, which is caused by airborne pollen being inhaled into the human body, has become a problem.

[0003] Hay fever occurs when pollen adheres to the mucous membrane of a living body, and the antigenic protein contained in this pollen dissolves into the water on the mucous membrane.Furthermore, this antigenic protein causes an antigen-antibody reaction in mast cells. This occurs when histamine is released from mast cells.

[0004] To prevent such hay fever, it is best to know in advance the amount of pollen floating in the air and, if the amount is large, to prevent inhalation of the pollen by wearing a mask or the like.

[0005] As conventional methods for quantifying the amount of pollen floating in the air, the drop method and the volumetric method are known (for example, the document "Pollen Allergy" by Tatsu Ishizaki, published by Hokuryukan)
1989) p. 21-25). The drop method was a method in which an examiner used a microscope to count the number of pollen that naturally adhered to a glass slide coated with an adhesive such as vaseline or glycerin over a 24-hour period. In addition, in the volumetric method, a certain amount of air is artificially aspirated, and the pollen in this certain amount of air is collected with a perforated filter, on glass coated with Vaseline, or in an organic solvent. It was a method in which an inspector counted the number of pollen particles using a microscope.

[0006]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, the method of counting pollen using a microscope is very time-consuming. Therefore, a sensor that can easily quantify the amount of pollen is desired. Furthermore, a pollen sensor that can easily identify the type of pollen is desired.

[0007] This application was made in view of these points, and therefore, the first object of this application is to provide a pollen sensor that can easily quantify the amount of pollen floating in the air. In addition, the purpose of the second invention of this application is to
It is an object of the present invention to provide a pollen sensor that can easily quantify the amount of pollen and discriminate the type of pollen.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve this object, according to the pollen sensor of the first invention of this application, a first membrane constituted by immobilizing amino acid oxidase, and the first membrane described above are provided. A second layer laminated directly or through an interlayer film.
a second membrane comprising a permeable membrane on which a protease is immobilized and is wet; and an electrode for detecting hydrogen peroxide generated in the first membrane. It is characterized by the following.

Further, according to the pollen sensor of the second invention of this application, the first membrane is formed by immobilizing amino acid oxidase, and the second membrane is laminated on the first membrane directly or via an intermediate membrane. a second membrane comprising a permeable membrane on which a protease is immobilized and which is wet; and an electrode for detecting hydrogen peroxide generated in the first membrane. A plurality of individual pollen sensors (corresponding to the pollen sensor of the first invention) are provided, and one or both of the proteolytic enzyme and the liquid for moistening the second membrane are made different for each individual pollen sensor. characterized by something.

[0010] In this second invention, one or both of the proteolytic enzyme and the liquid for moistening the second membrane are made different for each individual pollen sensor, specifically in the following cases. be. (a) the proteolytic enzymes of each individual pollen sensor are different from each other and the liquid wetting the second membrane is the same; (b) the proteolytic enzymes of each individual pollen sensor are the same and the liquid wetting the second membrane is the same; (c) the proteolytic enzymes are different for each individual pollen sensor and the liquid wetting the second membrane is also different;
(d) Multiple of each individual pollen sensor (same number,
Any different number is fine. ) Regarding (a) above, (
b) or (c).

[0011] In carrying out the first and second inventions,
The number of proteolytic enzymes immobilized on the permeable membrane is not limited to one type, but may be two or more types.

[0012] Furthermore, in carrying out the first and second inventions,
It is preferred to include liquid supply means for supplying a liquid to the second membrane for wetting the second membrane.

[0013] Furthermore, in carrying out the first invention, it is preferable that the liquid for wetting the second membrane is water or various aqueous solutions. Further, in carrying out the second invention, it is preferable that the liquid for moistening the second membrane of each individual pollen sensor is selected from water and various aqueous solutions. Examples of the various aqueous solutions include a potassium chloride aqueous solution, a sodium chloride aqueous solution, an alcohol aqueous solution, and a mixed aqueous solution of two or more of these aqueous solutions.

[0014]

[Operation] In the pollen sensors of the first and second inventions of this application, when pollen adheres to the surface of the second membrane opposite to the first membrane, antigen proteins contained in this pollen are detected. dissolves into the liquid wetting the second membrane. Since a proteolytic enzyme is immobilized on this second membrane, the antigenic protein dissolved into the liquid that moistens the second membrane is decomposed by the action of this proteolytic enzyme to obtain amino acids.

[0015] Furthermore, since the second membrane is permeable, the amino acid obtained as described above reaches the first membrane. Since amino acid oxidase is immobilized on this first membrane, the amino acid is decomposed into hydrogen peroxide, keto acid, and ammonia in this first membrane. This hydrogen peroxide is detected at the hydrogen peroxide detection electrode.
2 O2 →2H+ +O2 +2e- It is converted into a current. The amount of current converted varies depending on the amount of pollen attached to the second film. This makes it possible to quantify the amount of pollen.

Further, the pollen sensor of the second invention includes a plurality of pollen sensors (referred to as "individual pollen sensors") corresponding to the pollen sensor of the first invention, and each of these individual pollen sensors has a In each case, one or both of the proteolytic enzyme and the liquid for wetting the second membrane are different. If the liquid that wets the second membrane is different for each individual pollen sensor, the output value for each individual pollen sensor will vary depending on whether the pollen contains a protein that is easily soluble in the liquid. Furthermore, if the proteolytic enzymes are different for each individual pollen sensor, the output value for each individual pollen sensor will vary depending on whether the pollen contains a protein that is easily decomposed by the proteolytic enzyme. Pollen, which is the sensing target, contains multiple types of proteins, and the combination of proteins contained therein differs depending on the type of plant. It is thought that it is possible to distinguish the type of pollen by using individual pollen sensors and the above-mentioned special characteristics of pollen. However, even if the liquid is different for each individual pollen sensor, only proteins that can identify the type of pollen will be dissolved in the liquid that wets the second membrane in each individual sensor. Some other types of proteins contained in pollen also dissolve in this liquid. Further, even if a different proteolytic enzyme is used for each individual pollen sensor, the enzyme does not degrade only the protein that can identify the pollen in each individual sensor. Some other types of proteins dissolved in the liquid wetting the second membrane may be degraded by this proteolytic enzyme. Therefore, in the second aspect of the invention, a plurality of individual pollen sensors are used to obtain a pattern of output values from each individual pollen sensor, and the type of pollen is determined based on this pattern, thereby improving the accuracy of determining the type of pollen.

[0017]

[Embodiments] Hereinafter, embodiments of the pollen sensor of the first invention and embodiments of the pollen sensor of the second invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the drawings used to explain these embodiments are shown schematically to the extent that the present invention can be understood. Further, in each figure used for the explanation, similar constituent components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Further, materials such as chemicals and numerical conditions such as time, temperature, concentration, etc. used in the following examples are only preferred examples within the scope of the invention.

1. Description of embodiments of the first invention 1-1. Explanation of the structure of the pollen sensor according to the embodiment of the first invention. FIG. It is.

This pollen sensor 11 has an insulating base 13
, a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) detection electrode 15 consisting of a working electrode 15a and a counter electrode 15b embedded in this base 13 (however, the surface is exposed), and this base 13.
, a first film 17 provided on the surface where the electrode 15 is exposed, a second film 19 laminated on this first film 17, and a second film 19 provided above this second film 19. A liquid supply means 21 for supplying liquid to the membrane 19 is provided. A lead wire 23 is connected to each of the working electrode 15a and the counter electrode 15b. This lead wire 23 is extended outside the base 13 and is configured to be connected to an external measuring device (for example, an ammeter or a voltmeter (not shown)).

The base 13 of this embodiment is made of epoxy resin. The working electrode 15a is made of platinum, and the counter electrode 15b is made of silver. The counter electrode 15b is provided at the center of the base 13, and the working electrode 15a is provided to surround the counter electrode 15b. It is preferable that the surface of the substrate 13 has a gradual downward slope from the counter electrode 15b side toward the working electrode 15a. By creating a gradient in this way, the base 1
Since the first film 17 and the second film 19 provided on the substrate 13 also have a downward slope like the base 13, the liquid is supplied from the liquid supply means 21 to the part of the second film 19 facing the counter electrode 15b. This is because by supplying the liquid, the liquid is evenly supplied to the second membrane 15b. Of course, the base 1
The condition of the surface of No. 3 is not limited to this example.

In this embodiment, the structure composed of the electrodes 15a, 15b and the base 13 is the working electrode 15a.
It is formed by placing the counter electrode 15b in an epoxy resin at an appropriate distance and curing the resin.

The first membrane 17 is composed of an aminated porous polyacrylonitrile film having a thickness of approximately 50 μm, on which L-amino acid oxidase is immobilized with glutaraldehyde. In this embodiment, the first membrane 17 is made of a phosphate buffer solution containing glutaraldehyde at a concentration of 1%, in which a predetermined enzyme (the enzyme to be immobilized) is dissolved. It is formed by immersing the aminated polyacrylonitrile film therein at room temperature for 2 hours to carry out a predetermined reaction. In this example, L-amino acid oxidase was manufactured by Funakoshi Pharmaceutical (WORTHING).
TON BIOCHEMICAL co. ) Aqueous suspension was used, and glutaraldehyde manufactured by Sigma was used.

The second membrane 19 is made of an aminated porous polyacrylonitrile film with a thickness of approximately 50 μm on which a protease, in this case carboxypeptidase, is immobilized, and the second membrane 19 is made of a porous polyacrylonitrile film having a thickness of approximately 50 μm and has a protease, in this case carboxypeptidase, immobilized thereon. It is constructed of something that is moistened by a supplied liquid (described later). The immobilization of carboxypeptidase on a porous polyacrylonitrile film is carried out using a phosphate buffer solution containing glutaraldehyde at a concentration of 1%, in which the desired enzyme (the enzyme to be immobilized) is dissolved. This is carried out by immersing the aminated polyacrylonitrile film in a solution for 2 hours at room temperature to carry out a predetermined reaction. In the case of this example, carboxypeptidase was manufactured by Funakoshi Pharmaceutical (WORTHINGTON BIOCHEMICAL).
co. ) An aqueous suspension was used, and glutaraldehyde manufactured by Sigma was used as in the case of forming the first film 17.

Further, the liquid supply means 21 may have any structure as long as it can automatically supply a predetermined amount of liquid to the second membrane 19 and maintain the second membrane in a wet state. Specifically, it may be configured like an infusion device. However, the liquid may be supplied to the second membrane 19 by a human at an appropriate time without providing the liquid supply means 21. Note that physiological saline is used as the liquid in this example.

The second membrane 19 constructed in this manner has a construction that imitates the mucous membrane of the human nose.

1-2. Explanation of the operation of the pollen sensor according to the embodiment of the first invention Next, the operation of the pollen sensor according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will be explained.

When pollen adheres to the surface of the second membrane 19 on the side opposite to the first membrane 17 side, the antigen protein contained in the pollen absorbs the physiological fluid that moistens the second membrane 19. Dissolves in salt water. Since this second membrane 19 has a proteolytic enzyme (carboxypeptidase in this case) immobilized thereon, the antigenic protein is decomposed into amino acids under the action of this carboxypeptidase. The amino acids thus obtained are then added to the first membrane 1.
In step 7, under the action of amino acid oxidase immobilized on this second membrane, hydrogen peroxide, keto acid,
It is decomposed into ammonia. The hydrogen peroxide thus obtained is detected by the hydrogen peroxide detection electrode 15.
It is converted into a current as O2 →2H+ +O2 +2e-. Therefore, the amount of pollen adhering to the second film 19 is converted into an electrical signal. This electrical signal can be detected as an output value (for example, a current value or a voltage value) of the pollen sensor. In the following explanation, this will be referred to as the output value of the sensor.

1-3. Results of pollen measurement using the pollen sensor according to the embodiment of the first invention Next, the amount of pollen is measured as follows using the pollen sensor shown in FIG. Note that the pollen to be measured was cedar pollen because the season in which this experiment was conducted was the season when cedar pollen is scattered.

First, the pollen sensor of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is left outdoors for 24 hours. At this time, a slide glass coated with Vaseline was also left outdoors as a comparative example. Note that physiological saline is occasionally dripped onto the second membrane 19 of the pollen sensor of the example from the liquid supply means 21 to the extent that the second membrane 19 does not dry.

The slide glass and the pollen sensor of the example were collected after 24 hours. Thereafter, the number of pollen adhering to the slide glass is counted using a microscope. Also,
Regarding the pollen sensor of this example, in this example, the output value of the sensor is measured one hour after it is left outside. Note that the measurement timing of the output value of the pollen sensor in the example is not limited to the above example.
In this embodiment, it is preferable to change the frequency of feeding (physiological saline). When physiological saline is frequently supplied to the second membrane 19, it is preferable to measure the output value of the sensor from time to time and integrate the measured value each time, and use the result as the daily measured value.

The above measurements were carried out on different days (in this case, 5 days a to e). Table 1 below shows these measurement dates a to e.
2 is a table showing the relationship between the number of pollen counted from a Vaseline-coated slide glass (unit: particles/10 cm 2 /day) and the output value (arbitrary unit) of the pollen sensor of the example.

[Table 1]

[0032]

FIG. 2 also plots the results shown in Table 1, with the horizontal axis representing the output value of the pollen sensor of the example and the vertical axis representing the number of pollen counted by the falling method. It is a characteristic diagram.

As is clear from FIG. 2, there is a good correlation between the number of pollen counted by the falling method and the output value of the pollen sensor of this embodiment. From this, it can be seen that according to the pollen sensor of the first invention, it is possible to quickly quantify the amount of pollen.

Note that the pollen sensor of this embodiment of the first invention cannot recognize a specific type of pollen because it does not use a method such as utilizing an antigen-antibody reaction. In other words, in the pollen sensor of the first invention, if the pollen contains a protein that is soluble in the liquid that moistens the second membrane 19 and is decomposed by the proteolytic enzyme provided in this sensor, then the pollen is a type of plant. Regardless of the amount of adhesion, the output can be obtained according to the amount of adhesion. therefore,
In some cases, it may not be possible to quantify the amount of specific pollen. However, since the time of pollen generation differs depending on the type of plant, once the time to use this pollen sensor is determined, the types of pollen floating in the air are limited and it is possible to identify the main pollen. Therefore, it can be said that according to the pollen sensor of the first invention, the floating amount of a specific pollen can be measured by devising a method of use.

Although the embodiments of the pollen sensor of the first invention have been described above, the first invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and can be modified in various ways.

For example, the arrangement of the working electrode 15a and the counter electrode 15b on the substrate 13 can be changed depending on the design.

[0038] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned example, physiological saline was used as the liquid to wet the second membrane, and carboxypeptidase was used as the proteolytic enzyme, which is one of the constituent components of the second membrane. . However, the liquid used is not limited to physiological saline, and other liquids may be used. Specifically, the electrode must have such conductivity that electrolysis occurs between the working electrode 15a and the counter electrode 15b, and the enzyme immobilized on the first membrane and the second membrane can work sufficiently. It is preferable that the salt concentration is as high as possible. Furthermore, the proteolytic enzyme used may be other than carboxypeptidase.

Furthermore, although a porous polyacrylonitrile film having a thickness of approximately 50 μm was used to obtain the first film and the second film, other suitable films may also be used.

In addition, in the pollen sensor of the embodiment, the first film 1
Although the second film 19 is directly stacked on top of the second film 19, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, between the first membrane 17 and the second membrane 19, in order to prevent proteins leached from pollen into the liquid moistening the second membrane from reaching the first membrane 17,
For example, a protein-removal film may be provided as the intermediate film. The protein removal membrane can be constructed of a conventionally known membrane such as a polycarbonate filter having pores of about 0.3 μm in diameter.

Furthermore, a hydrogen peroxide selective membrane may be provided between the first membrane 17 and the hydrogen peroxide detection electrode 15.

[0042] Of course, a pollen sensor may also be used by immobilizing amino acid oxidase and proteolytic enzyme on a single permeable membrane and moistening the membrane. However, it is thought that the performance will be improved if the membrane is separated into a membrane that decomposes proteins and a membrane that decomposes amino acids, as in the example.

2. Description of embodiments of the pollen sensor of the second invention In the pollen sensor of the first invention described above, as already stated,
If the pollen contains a protein that is soluble in the liquid that moistens the second membrane and is decomposed by the proteolytic enzyme provided in this sensor, the output will depend on the amount of pollen attached, regardless of the type of plant. can get. For this reason, it is difficult to accurately determine the type of pollen. The second invention solves this problem. Therefore, the pollen sensor of the second invention includes a plurality of pollen sensors of the first invention, and for each of the plurality of pollen sensors, one of the protease and the liquid that wets the second membrane, or Configure both differently. Examples will be explained below.

2-1. First embodiment of second invention 2-1-1
．． Structure Explanation FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the pollen sensor of the first embodiment of the second invention. The pollen sensor 31 of the first embodiment includes a plurality of individual pollen sensors, in this case four individual pollen sensors 33a, 33b, 33c, and 33d. Each of the individual pollen sensors 33a to 33d also includes a liquid supply means 21, respectively.

[0045] First to fourth individual pollen sensors 33a to 33
d has the same structure and other constituent materials as the pollen sensor 11 of the first invention (see FIG. 1), except that the proteolytic enzymes used in each are different as shown below.

In the first individual pollen sensor 33a, the second
In the second individual pollen sensor 33b, the protease in the membrane 19a is carboxypeptidase, and in the second individual pollen sensor 33b, the protease in the second membrane 19b is a mixture of 50% by weight of chymotrypsin and pepsin. In the individual pollen sensor 33c, the second film 19c
The protease in the second membrane 19d of the fourth individual pollen sensor 33d is aminopeptidase. Table 2 below summarizes the proteolytic enzymes used in each of the individual sensors 33a to 33d. Note that the above weight % when a mixture of proteolytic enzymes is used is the loading rate when these proteolytic enzymes are mixed into the phosphate buffer solution at the time of producing individual sensors.

[Table 2]

[0047]

[0048] The sources for obtaining each proteolytic enzyme are as follows.

(1). Carboxypeptidase: Funakoshi Pharmaceutical (WORTHINGTON BIOCHEMI
CAL co. ).

(2). Chymotrypsin: Seikagaku Corporation (S
ERABEC DIVISION OFF FI
NE CHEMICALS CORPORATION
N Ltd. ).

(3). pepsin Seikagaku Kogyo (KOCH-LIGHT Ltd.).

(4). Trypsin: Seikagaku Corporation (SER)
ABEC DIVISION OFFFINE
CHEMICALS CORPORATION L
td. ).

(5). Aminopeptidase: Sigma.

2-1-2. Explanation of pollen measurement results Next, when a predetermined amount of cedar pollen is attached to each of the first to fourth individual pollen sensors 33a to 33d of the pollen sensor 31 of the first embodiment of the second invention, a predetermined amount of Japanese cedar pollen Each individual pollen sensor 33a to 33d when pollen is attached to each case and when a predetermined amount of ragweed pollen is attached to each case.
Measure the output value of. FIG. 4A is a characteristic diagram showing the output values of the individual sensors 33a to 33d with respect to cedar pollen, with the output value of the sensor (arbitrary unit) taken on the vertical axis. Figure 4 (B) is the same characteristic diagram for black pine pollen.
(C) is the same characteristic diagram for ragweed pollen.

As is clear from comparing FIGS. 4(A) to 4(C), when the types of pollen adhering to the pollen sensor 31 are different, the characteristic patterns composed of the output values of each individual pollen sensor are different. arise. This means that the type of pollen can be determined from this characteristic pattern. Furthermore, as the amount of pollen increases, each output value increases while maintaining the shape of the characteristic pattern, so the amount of pollen can be quantified from this.

2-2. Second embodiment of second invention 2-2-1
．． Structure Explanation FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the pollen sensor 41 of the second embodiment of the second invention.

The pollen sensor 41 of the second embodiment of the second invention also includes a plurality of individual pollen sensors.
The pollen sensor includes individual pollen sensors 43a, 43b, 43c, and 43d. The first pollen sensor 41 of this second embodiment
The difference from the example is that each individual pollen sensor 43a to
The proteolytic enzyme is the same for every 43d, and the second
The only difference is that only the type of liquid that wets the membrane 19 is different for each individual pollen sensor. Actually, individual pollen sensor 43
The liquids supplied from the liquid supply means 21a to 21d provided in a to 43d are different.

Second film 1 of each individual sensor 43a to 43d
In this case, the liquid for moistening the pollen 9 is physiological saline in the first individual pollen sensor 43a, an aqueous solution containing 0.5% (wt%) potassium chloride in the second individual pollen sensor 43b, and In the individual pollen sensor 43c, an aqueous solution containing 0.5% (weight %) of potassium chloride and 5% (volume %) of n (normal)-butyl alcohol is used.
The fourth individual pollen sensor 43d uses pure water. In addition, the proteolytic enzyme of each individual pollen sensor 43a-43d is carboxypeptidase.

2-2-2. Explanation of pollen measurement results Next, when a predetermined amount of cedar pollen is attached to each of the first to fourth individual pollen sensors 43a to 43d of the pollen sensor of the second embodiment of the second invention, a predetermined amount of black pine pollen The output value of each individual pollen sensor is measured in the same manner as in the first embodiment when a predetermined amount of ragweed pollen is deposited on each pollen sensor. The measurement results are illustrated using the same notation method as in FIG. 4. This result is shown in Figure 6(A).
- Shown in (C).

As is clear from FIGS. 6(A) to 6(C),
In the case of the pollen sensor of the second embodiment of the second invention, as in the first embodiment, when the types of pollen adhering to the pollen sensor are different, the characteristic patterns made up of the output values of each individual pollen sensor are different. arise. Furthermore, although not shown, as the amount of pollen adhesion increases, each current value increases while maintaining the shape of the characteristic pattern. Therefore, also in the case of the pollen sensor of the second embodiment of the second invention, it is possible to determine the type of pollen and quantify the amount of pollen.

Although the embodiment of the second invention of this application has been described above, the second invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0062] The number of individual pollen sensors can be varied depending on the design.

Further, each proteolytic enzyme used in each individual pollen sensor in the first embodiment may be other than the above four types. Furthermore, in the case of the first embodiment, physiological saline is used as the liquid for moistening each individual pollen sensor, but other liquids may be used. For example, it can be selected from among the various aqueous solutions used in the second embodiment.

Furthermore, in the case of the second embodiment, the liquids that wet the second membrane of each individual pollen sensor may be other than the above four types. Furthermore, in the case of the second embodiment, carboxypeptidase is used as the proteolytic enzyme in each individual pollen sensor, but other enzymes may be used. For example, it can be selected from the various proteolytic enzymes used in the first example.

Furthermore, each individual pollen sensor may be further provided with a protein removal membrane or an H2 O2 selective membrane, similar to the first invention.

[0066]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION As is clear from the above description, according to the pollen sensor of the first invention and the pollen sensor of the second invention of this application, the amount of pollen can be easily measured. Moreover, these pollen sensors can be produced at low cost, can be miniaturized, and can be used repeatedly by washing off the pollen attached to the sensor with water, making it easy for people suffering from hay fever to own them personally. is also possible. Therefore, it becomes possible to personally prevent the amount of pollen.

In addition to the effect of the first invention, the pollen sensor of the second invention has the effect of being able to discriminate the type of pollen with higher accuracy.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a pollen sensor according to an embodiment of the first invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the embodiment of the first invention, and is a diagram showing the relationship between the number of pollen counted by a conventional method and the output value of the pollen sensor of the embodiment of the first invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a pollen sensor according to a first embodiment of the second invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the first embodiment of the second invention, and is a diagram showing the pollen type dependence of a pattern composed of output values of individual pollen sensors of the pollen sensor of the first embodiment. It is.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a pollen sensor according to a second embodiment of the second invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the second embodiment of the second invention, and is a diagram showing the pollen type dependence of a pattern composed of the output values of the individual pollen sensors of the pollen sensor of the second embodiment. It is.

[Explanation of symbols]

11: Pollen sensor of the embodiment of the first invention 13: Substrate 15: Hydrogen peroxide detection electrode 15a: Working electrode 15b: Counter electrode 17: First membrane (amino acid oxidase immobilized membrane) 19
: Second membrane (membrane moistened with protease-immobilized membrane) 21: Liquid supply means 23: Lead-out wiring 31: Pollen sensors 33a to 33 of the first embodiment of the second invention
d: Individual pollen sensors 19a-19d: Second membranes 41 with different proteolytic enzymes: Pollen sensors 43a-43 of the second embodiment of the second invention
d: Individual pollen sensors (different wetting liquids) 21a to 21d: Liquid supply means for supplying different liquids

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A first membrane comprising an immobilized amino acid oxidase, and a second membrane laminated to the first membrane either directly or via an intermediate membrane, which is permeable to the membrane by proteolytic decomposition. A pollen sensor comprising: a second membrane that is wet and has an enzyme immobilized thereon; and an electrode for detecting hydrogen peroxide generated in the first membrane. 2. A first membrane comprising an immobilized amino acid oxidase, a second membrane laminated on the first membrane directly or via an intermediate membrane, the permeable membrane being subjected to proteolytic decomposition. A plurality of individual pollen sensors are provided, each of which includes a second membrane having an immobilized enzyme and which is wet, and an electrode for detecting hydrogen peroxide generated in the first membrane. A pollen sensor characterized in that one or both of the proteolytic enzyme and the liquid for moistening the second membrane are different in each case. 3. The pollen sensor according to claim 1, further comprising a liquid supply means for supplying a liquid for moistening the second membrane.