A novel BOD biosensor has been fabricated from a microbial membrane on an oxygen electrode; a porous inorganic Al2O3 sol-gel matrix was used to immobilize the yeast. Use of the sensor is convenient and rapid compared with the official BOD5 method. The gelation time required to form the microorganism membrane was less than 15 min. There was linear relationship between the response (sensor current) and BOD values ranging from 10-50 mg x L(-1). The lifetime of the BOD biosensor was more than 30 days at ambient temperature.