In this study, a presumptive colorimetric method was used to detect and differentiate the ova of two major soil transmitted helminths in wastewater, Ascaris and Trichuris. Gold nanoparticles were synthesised following the reduction of tetrachloroauric acid by the surface moiety of Ascaris suum, resulting in a colour change. In contrast there was no colour change with Trichuris suis indicating the absence of gold nanoparticle synthesis. Analysis of the ova using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the synthesis of nanoparticles on the surface of ova was confirmed as gold nanoparticles (91 w/w %) by energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). This study indicated that the surface moieties of helminth ova could be a potential target for ova detection and differentiation using the biosynthesis of nanoparticles by colorimetry methods. Three advantages: •Simple colorimetry based method requiring no sophisticated devices.•No trained personnel required.•Cost-effective and can be a potential candidate for biosensors.
Keywords: Ascaris; EDX; Gold nanoparticles; Helminth ova; In-situ biosynthesis of metal nanoparticles by helminth ova; SEM; Trichuris; Wastewater.