T4PPVB-COP composite-driven innovative electrochemiluminescence aptasensor for ultra-sensitive detection of chlorpyrifos

Herein, an enhanced electrochemiluminescence (ECL) aptasensor driven by a complex (T4PPVB-COP@CdS QDs) with large specific surface area and high stability was constructed for highly sensitive detection of chlorpyrifos (CPF), using electrostatic interactions and signal amplification techniques. In the presence of CPF, the specific binding between the aptamer and CPF caused partial detachment of the aptamer from the sensor, thus restoring the ECL signal. Notably, gold nanoparticles functionalized with streptavidin (SA) as signal enhancers further amplified the ECL signal in specific interactions with aptamers, thereby improving the sensitivity of the assay. Based on this, the proposed ECL aptasensor demonstrated significant detection performance for CPF with a linear range of 1-107 pg/mL and a LOD of 0.34 pg/mL. Furthermore, the feasibility of the ECL aptasensor was validated by the detection and analysis of CPF in real samples, which also provided a broad reference value for bioanalysis.

A hollow visible-light-responsive surface molecularly imprinted polymer for the detection of chlorpyrifos in vegetables and fruits

A visible-light-responsive azobenzene derivative, 3,5-dichloro-4-((2,6-dichloro-4-(methacryloyloxy)phenyl)diazenyl)benzoic acid, was synthesized and used as the functional monomer to fabricate a visible-light-responsive core-shell structured surface molecularly imprinted polymer (PS-co-PMAA@VSMIP). After removal of the sacrificial PS-co-PMAA core, a hollow structured surface molecularly imprinted polymer (HVSMIP) was obtained. Both the PS-co-PMAA@VSMIP and HVSMIP were used for the detection of chlorpyrifos, a moderately toxic organophosphate pesticide. They exhibited good visible-light-responsive properties (550 nm for trans→cis and 440 nm for cis→trans isomerization for an azobenzene chromophore) in ethanol/water (9:1, v/v). Compared with the PS-co-PMAA@VSMIP, the HVSMIP had a larger surface area, pore volume, binding capacity, imprinting effect, maximum chemical binding capacity, dissociation constant, and photo-isomerization rate. The HVSMIP was applied to detect trace chlorpyrifos in fruit and vegetable samples. This was achieved by measuring the trans→cis rate constant of the HVSMIP in the sample solution, with good recoveries, low relative standard deviations, and a low detection limit.

Comparative acute toxicity of two phytosanitary molecules, lambda-cyhalothrin and acetamiprid, on Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis Niloticus) juveniles

This study aimed to compare the toxicity for fish of two active ingredients (lambda-cyhalothrin-20 g L^-1, a pyrethroid, and acetamiprid-15 g L^-1, a neonicotinoid) which are components of a commercial insecticide (Acer 35 EC) used in cotton crop in many West African countries. The juveniles of Oreochromis niloticus (4.01 ± 0.34 g, mean body weight) were exposed for 96 h to increasing concentrations of active ingredients (lambda-cyhalothrin and acetamiprid) or a mixture similar to Acer 35 EC (composed by 20 g of chemical compound lambda-cyhalothrin and 15 g of acetamiprid dissolved in 1 L of acetone). The experiments were carried out under controlled conditions in aquaria according to OECD Guidelines. During the experiments, the behavioral responses (loss of balance, color change, hyperactivity, etc.) that usually precede death were observed in exposed fish. Mortalities were recorded in each aquarium and the LC₅₀-96h of each chemical was determined. The LC₅₀-96h obtained were respectively 0.1268, 0.0029, 182.9 and 0.5685 ppm for Acer 35 EC, lambda-cyhalothrin, acetamiprid and mixture. All insecticides used in this study had profound impact on Nile tilapia behavior which may confirm the neurotoxicity of each single active compound as well as of their mixture.