Colorimetric Detection of Organophosphate Pesticides Based on Acetylcholinesterase and Cysteamine Capped Gold Nanoparticles as Nanozyme

Muhammad Musaddiq Shah, Wen Ren, Joseph Irudayaraj, Abdulrahim A. Sajini, Muhammad Ishtiaq Ali, Bashir Ahmad

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Organophosphates (OPs) are neurotoxic agents also used as pesticides that can permanently block the active site of the acetylcholinesterase (AChE). A robust and sensitive detection system of OPs utilising the enzyme mimic potential of the cysteamine capped gold nanoparticles (C-AuNPs) was developed. The detection assay was performed by stepwise addition of AChE, parathion ethyl (PE)-a candidate OP, acetylcholine chloride (ACh), C-AuNPs, and 3, 3, 5, 5-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) in the buffer solution. The whole sensing protocol completes in 30–40 min, including both incubations. The Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) results indicated that the NPs are spherical and have an average size of 13.24 nm. The monomers of C-AuNPs exhibited intense catalytic activity (nanozyme) for the oxidization of TMB, revealed by the production of instant blue colour and confirmed by a sharp peak at 652 nm. The proposed biosensor’s detection limit and linear ranges were 5.8 ng·mL−1 and 11.6–92.8 ng·mL−1, respectively, for PE. The results strongly advocate that the suggested facile colorimetric biosensor may provide an excellent platform for on-site monitoring of OPs.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number8050
JournalSensors
Volume21
Issue number23
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2 2021

Keywords

  • Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
  • Colorimetric biosensor
  • Nanozyme
  • Neurotoxin
  • Parathion ethyl
  • Pesticide intoxication

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Information Systems
  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • Biochemistry
  • Instrumentation
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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