Oligomycin-inhibited mitochondria-modified electrodes were used to electrochemically sense the presence of nitroaromatics owing to the selective ability of nitroaromatics to decouple the inhibition of pyruvate metabolism by the mitochondria. These oligomycin inhibited mitochondria-modified electrodes were employed as the bioanode in a pyruvate/air biofuel cell. This sensing mechanism could be used as a traditional electrochemical sensor or as a self-powered sensor.