Development of acetylcholinesterase silica sol–gel immobilized biosensor—an application towards oxydemeton methyl detection

Roll-to-Roll Manufactured Sensors for Nitroaromatic Organophosphorus Pesticides Detection

A fully roll-to-roll manufactured electrochemical sensor with high sensing and manufacturing reproducibility has been developed for the detection of nitroaromatic organophosphorus pesticides (NOPPs). This sensor is based on a flexible, screen-printed silver electrode modified with a graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) coating and a zirconia (ZrO₂) coating. The combination of the metal oxide and the 2-D material provided advantageous electrocatalytic activity toward NOPPs. Manufacturing, scanning electron microscopy-scanning transmission electron microscopy image analysis, electrochemical surface characterization, and detection studies illustrated high sensitivity, selectivity, and stability (∼89% current signal retention after 30 days) of the platform. The enzymeless sensor enabled rapid response time (10 min) and noncomplex detection of NOPPs through voltammetry methods. Furthermore, the proposed platform was highly group-sensitive toward NOPPs (e.g., methyl parathion (MP) and fenitrothion) with a detection limit as low as 1 μM (0.2 ppm). The sensor exhibited a linear correlation between MP concentration and current response in a range from 1 μM (0.2 ppm) to 20 μM (4.2 ppm) and from 20 to 50 μM with an R² of 0.992 and 0.991, respectively. Broadly, this work showcases the first application of GNPs/ZrO₂ complex on flexible silver screen-printed electrodes fabricated by entirely roll-to-roll manufacturing for the detection of NOPPs.

Silica nanoparticle based techniques for extraction, detection, and degradation of pesticides

Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) find applications in the fields of drug delivery, catalysis, immobilization and sensing. Their synthesis can be mediated in a facile manner and they display broad range compatibility and stability. Their existence in the form of spheres, wires and sheets renders them suitable for varied purposes. This review summarizes the use of silica nanostructures in developing techniques for extraction, detection and degradation of pesticides. Silica nanostructures on account of their sorbent properties, porous nature and increased surface area allow effective extraction of pesticides. They can be modified (with ionic liquids, silanes or amines), coated with molecularly imprinted polymers or magnetized to improve the extraction of pesticides. Moreover, they can be altered to increase their sensitivity and stability. In addition to the analysis of pesticides by sophisticated techniques such as High Performance Liquid Chromatography or Gas chromatography, silica nanoparticles related simple detection methods are also proving to be effective. Electrochemical and optical detection based on enzymes (acetylcholinesterase and organophosphate hydrolase) or antibodies have been developed. Pesticide sensors dependent on fluorescence, chemiluminescence or Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopic responses are also SiNP based. Moreover, degradative enzymes (organophosphate hydrolases, carboxyesterases and laccases) and bacterial cells that produce recombinant enzymes have been immobilized on SiNPs for mediating pesticide degradation. After immobilization, these systems show increased stability and improved degradation. SiNP are significant in developing systems for effective extraction, detection and degradation of pesticides. SiNPs on account of their chemically inert nature and amenability to surface modifications makes them popular tools for fabricating devices for 'on-site' applications.

A Novel Acetylcholinesterase Biosensor: Core-Shell Magnetic Nanoparticles Incorporating a Conjugated Polymer for the Detection of Organophosphorus Pesticides

To construct a sensing interface, in the present work, a conjugated polymer and core-shell magnetic nanoparticle containing biosensor was constructed for the pesticide analysis. The monomer 4,7-di(furan-2-yl)benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole (FBThF) and core-shell magnetic nanoparticles were designed and synthesized for fabrication of the biosensing device. The magnetic nanoparticles were first treated with silica and then modified using carboxyl groups, which enabled binding of the biomolecules covalently. For the construction of the proposed sensor a two-step procedure was performed. First, the poly(FBThF) was electrochemically generated on the electrode surface. Then, carboxyl group modified magnetic nanoparticles (f-MNPs) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE), the model enzyme, were co-immobilized on the polymer-coated surface. Thereby, a robust and novel surface, conjugated polymer bearing magnetic nanoparticles with pendant carboxyl groups, was constructed, which was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, cyclic voltammetry, scanning electron microscopy, and contact angle measurements. This novel architecture was then applied as an immobilization platform to detect pesticides. To the best of our knowledge, a sensor design that combines both conjugated polymer and magnetic nanoparticles was attempted for the first time, and this approach resulted in improved biosensor characteristics. Hence, this approach opens a new perspective in the field of enzyme immobilization and sensing applications. Paraoxon and trichlorfon were selected as the model toxicants. To obtain best biosensor performance, optimization studies were performed. Under optimized conditions, the biosensor in concern revealed a rapid response (5 s), a low detection limit (6.66 × 10(-3) mM), and high sensitivity (45.01 μA mM(-1) cm(-2)). The KM(app) value of poly(FBThF)/f-MNPs/AChE were determined as 0.73 mM. Furthermore, there was no considerable activity loss for 10 d for poly(FBThF)/f-MNPs/AChE biofilm.

Electrochemical enzymatic biosensor with long-term stability using hybrid mesoporous membrane

An acetylcholinesterase-immobilized sensor unit was successfully prepared by encapsulating the enzyme within hybrid mesoporous silica membranes (F127-MST).

Acetylcholinesterase biosensors for electrochemical detection of organophosphorus compounds: a review

The exponentially growing population, with limited resources, has exerted an intense pressure on the agriculture sector. In order to achieve high productivity the use of pesticide has increased up to many folds. These pesticides contain organophosphorus (OP) toxic compounds which interfere with the proper functioning of enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and finally affect the central nervous system (CNS). So, there is a need for routine, continuous, on spot detection of OP compounds which are the main limitations associated with conventional analytical methods. AChE based enzymatic biosensors have been reported by researchers as the most promising tool for analysis of pesticide level to control toxicity and for environment conservation. The present review summarises AChE based biosensors by discussing their characteristic features in terms of fabrication, detection limit, linearity range, time of incubation, and storage stability. Use of nanoparticles in recently reported fabrication strategies has improved the efficiency of biosensors to a great extent making them more reliable and robust.

Acetylcholinesterase inhibition-based biosensors for pesticide determination: a review

Pesticides released intentionally into the environment and through various processes contaminate the environment. Although pesticides are associated with many health hazards, there is a lack of monitoring of these contaminants. Traditional chromatographic methods-high-performance liquid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, and mass spectrometry-are effective for the analysis of pesticides in the environment but have certain limitations such as complexity, time-consuming sample preparation, and the requirement of expensive apparatus and trained persons to operate. Over the past decades, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition-based biosensors have emerged as simple, rapid, and ultra-sensitive tools for pesticide analysis in environmental monitoring, food safety, and quality control. These biosensors have the potential to complement or replace the classical analytical methods by simplifying or eliminating sample preparation and making field-testing easier and faster with significant decrease in cost per analysis. This article reviews the recent developments in AChE inhibition-based biosensors, which include various immobilization methods, different strategies for biosensor construction, the advantages and roles of various matrices used, analytical performance, and application methods for constructing AChE biosensors. These AChE biosensors exhibited detection limits and linearity in the ranges of 1.0×10(-11) to 42.19 μM (detection limits) and 1.0×10(-11)-1.0×10(-2) to 74.5-9.9×10(3)μM (linearity). These biosensors were stable for a period of 2 to 120days. The future prospects for the development of better AChE biosensing systems are also discussed.

A screen-printed, amperometric biosensor for the determination of organophosphorus pesticides in water samples

An amperometric biosensor based on screen-printed electrodes (SPEs) was developed for the determination of organophosphorus pesticides in water samples. The extent of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) deactivation was determined and quantified for pesticide concentrations in water samples. An enzyme immobilization adsorption procedure and polyacrylamide gel matrix polymerization were used for fabrication of the biosensor, with minimal losses in enzyme activity. The optimal conditions for enzyme catalytic reaction on the SPEs surfaces were acetylthiocholine chloride (ATChCl) concentration of 5 mmol/L, pH 7 and reaction time of 4 min. The detection limits for three organophosphorus pesticides (dichlorvos, monocrotophs and parathion) were in the range of 4 to 7 microg/L when an AChE amount of 0.1 U was used for immobilization.

Development of fluorescent array based on sol-gel/chitosan encapsulated acetylcholinesterase and pH sensitive oxazol-5-one derivative

A highly sensitive fluorescent enzyme array for quantitative acetylcholine detection is developed. The enzyme array has been constructed by spotting of pH sensitive fluorophore 2-phenyl-4-[4-(1,4,7,10-tetraoxa-13-azacycloopentadecyl)benzylidene]oxazol-5-one and acetylcholinesterase doped in tetraethoxysilane/chitosan matrix via a microarrayer. The constructed tetraethoxysilane/chitosan network provided a microenvironment in which the enzyme molecule was active biologically. The optimal operational conditions for the array developed were investigated. The response of the developed biosensor array to acetylcholine was highly reproducible (RSD = 3.27%, n = 6). A good linearity was observed for acetylcholine in the concentrations up to 1 × 10(-8) M, with a detection limit of 0.27 × 10(-8) M.

Biomagnetic glasses: preparation, characterization, and biosensor applications

In this work, a novel avenue to create a generic approach for the fabrication of biofunctional materials with magnetic capabilities to be used in the design of highly stable, magnetically separable enzyme-based systems was explored. As a model system, immobilization of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was investigated using biomagnetic glasses composed of a magnetic core with a size tunable porous silica shell. The efficiency of the immobilization was determined by analyzing the biosensing capability of these biomagnetic glasses for the detection of the organophosphorous pesticide paraoxon. Screen printed electrodes with the AChE-biomagnetic glasses showed higher current response and stability than for the free enzyme. The detection limit of the paraoxon biosensor was in the nanomolar range.

Immobilization of acetylcholineesterase-choline oxidase on a gold-platinum bimetallic nanoparticles modified glassy carbon electrode for the sensitive detection of organophosphate pesticides, carbamates and nerve agents

A novel, highly sensitive amperometric biosensor, based on electrodeposition of gold-platinum bimetallic nanoparticles onto 3-aminopropyltriethoxy silane modified glassy carbon electrode for the detection of paraoxon ethyl, aldicarb, and sarin has been developed. The biosensor consists of acetylcholineesterase (AChE)/choline oxidase (ChOx) immobilized by cross-linking with glutaraldehyde on a modified electrode. The properties of nanoparticles modified electrodes are characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), cyclic voltammograms (CVs) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The synergistic action of Au and Pt nanoparticles showed excellent electrocatalytic activity with low applied potential for the detection of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)). The IC(50) and inhibition rate constant (K(i)) values were determined for the inhibitors using immobilized enzymes on modified electrode and the data were compared by spectrophotometric determination of these kinetic parameters using free enzymes in solution. Paraoxon ethyl, sarin, and aldicarb could be detected up to 150-200nM, 40-50nM, and 40-60 microM respectively at 30-40% inhibition level of AChE enzyme and followed linearity in wide range concentration.

Nanomaterials - acetylcholinesterase enzyme matrices for organophosphorus pesticides electrochemical sensors: a review

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is an important cholinesterase enzyme present in the synaptic clefts of living organisms. It maintains the levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine by catalyzing the hydrolysis reaction of acetylcholine to thiocholine. This catalytic activity of AChE is drastically inhibited by trace amounts of organophosphorus (OP) pesticides present in the environment. As a result, effective monitoring of OP pesticides in the environment is very desirable and has been done successfully in recent years with the use of nanomaterial-based AChE sensors. In such sensors, the enzyme AChE has been immobilized onto nanomaterials like multiwalled carbon nanotubes, gold nanoparticles, zirconia nanoparticles, cadmium sulphide nano particles or quantum dots. These nanomaterial matrices promote significant enhancements of OP pesticide determinations, with the thiocholine oxidation occurring at much lower oxidation potentials. Moreover, nanomaterial-based AChE sensors with rapid response, increased operational and long storage stability are extremely well suited for OP pesticide determination over a wide concentration range. In this review, the unique advantages of using nanomaterials as AChE immobilization matrices are discussed. Further, detection limits, sensitivities and correlation coefficients obtained using various electroanalytical techniques have also been compared with chromatographic techniques.