Detection of organophosphorus insecticides with immobilized acetylcholinesterase - comparative study of two enzyme sensors

Anal Bioanal Chem. 2002 Sep;374(1):39-45. doi: 10.1007/s00216-002-1442-4. Epub 2002 Jul 30.

Abstract

Two-enzyme systems based on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) - a mono-enzyme system based on AChE, with p-aminophenyl acetate as substrate, and a bi-enzyme system based on AChE and tyrosinase, with phenyl acetate as substrate - have been studied for detection of organophosphate insecticides. The analytical performance and detection limits for determination of the pesticides were compared for the two AChE configurations. The enzyme loading, pH, and applied potential of the bi-enzyme system were optimised. When phenyl acetate was used as substrate for AChE activity the phenol generated by enzymatic hydrolysis was determined with a second enzyme, tyrosinase. Amperometric measurements were performed at 100 mV and -150 mV relative to the Ag/AgCl reference electrode for the mono-enzyme and bi-enzyme systems. Screen-printed sensors were used to detect the organophosphorus pesticides paraoxon and chlorpyrifos ethyl oxon; the detection limits achieved with phenyl acetate as substrate were 5.2x10(-3) mg L(-1) and 0.56x10(-3) mg L(-1), respectively.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholinesterase / metabolism*
  • Agaricales
  • Animals
  • Biosensing Techniques / methods*
  • Drosophila melanogaster
  • Electrochemistry
  • Enzymes, Immobilized / metabolism*
  • Hexanes
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Insecticides / analysis*
  • Monophenol Monooxygenase / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Monophenol Monooxygenase / metabolism
  • Organothiophosphorus Compounds*

Substances

  • Enzymes, Immobilized
  • Hexanes
  • Insecticides
  • Organothiophosphorus Compounds
  • Monophenol Monooxygenase
  • Acetylcholinesterase