*3.5.1 Advantages and disadvantages of biosensors*

Biosensor technology has been developed enormously since their introduction in 60s. They offer diverse advantages such as less complicated sensor setup, cheap production of microelectronic circuits and a user-friendly interface with

#### *Phytomass-Derived Multifunctional Activated Carbon as a "Wonder-Material"… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.99448*

conventional electronic processors [69]. Further electrochemical biosensors are also robust, easy to miniaturize, and offer broad detection limits with the small volumes of analyte (biofluids) requirements even if turbidity or optically absorbing and fluorescing compounds are present. Nevertheless, they have certain disadvantages too that hinder further developments. For example, they do not have the distinct surface architecture that would facilitate high sensitivity in detection and unique recognition of the response to the selected biochemical event [70]. This means that the pH and ionic strength of biofluids can greatly influence the behavior of the biosensors. Hence sensor technology needs to be developed in order to have increased intensity of the signal and improved signal to noise ratio.
