Design of fluorescent self-assembled multilayers and interfacial sensing for organophosphorus pesticides

This paper details the fabrication of indole (ID) self-assembled multilayers (SAMs) and fluorescence interfacial sensing for organophosphorus (OP) pesticides. Quartz/APES/AuNP/l-Cys/ID film was constructed on l-cysteine modified Quartz/APES/AuNP surface via electrostatic attraction between ID and l-cysteine. Cyclic voltammetry indicates that ID is immobilized successfully on the gold surface. Fluorescence of the Quartz/APES/AuNP/l-Cys/ID film shows sensitive response toward OPs. The fluorescent sensing conditions of the SAMs are optimized that allow linear fluorescence response for methylparathion and monocrotophos over 5.97 × 10⁻⁷ to 3.51 × 10⁻⁶ g L⁻¹ and 3.98 × 10⁻⁶ to 3.47 × 10⁻⁵ g L⁻¹, with detection limit of 6.1 × 10⁻⁸ gL⁻¹ and 3.28 × 10⁻⁶ gL⁻¹, respectively. Compared to bulk phase detection, interfacial fluorescence sensing based on the SAMs technology shows higher sensitivity by at least 2 order of magnitude.     

Innovative approach for the electrochemical detection of non-electroactive organophosphorus pesticides using oxime as electroactive probe

An innovative approach for sensitive and simple electrochemical detection of non-electroactive organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) was described in this report. The novel strategy emphasized the fabrication of an oxime-based sensor via attaching pralidoxime (PAM) on graphene quantum dots (GQDs) modified glassy carbon electrode. The introduction of GQDs significantly increased the effective electrode area, and then enlarged the immobilization quantity of PAM. Thus, the oxidation current of PAM was obviously increased. Relying on the nucleophilic substitution reaction between oxime and OPs, fenthion was detected using PAM as the electroactive probe. Under optimum conditions, the difference of oxidation current of PAM was proportional to fenthion concentration over the range from 1.0 × 10⁻¹¹ M to 5.0 × 10⁻⁷ M with a detection limit of 6.8 × 10⁻¹² M (S/N = 3). Moreover, the favorable detection performance in water and soil samples heralded the promising applications in on-site OPs detection.     

Label-free aptamer-based colorimetric detection of mercury ions in aqueous media using unmodified gold nanoparticles as colorimetric probe

We report a simple and sensitive aptamer-based colorimetric detection of mercury ions (Hg²⁺) using unmodified gold nanoparticles as colorimetric probe. It is based on the fact that bare gold nanoparticles interact differently with short single-strand DNA and double-stranded DNA. The anti-Hg²⁺ aptamer is rich in thymine (T) and readily forms T–Hg²⁺–T configuration in the presence of Hg²⁺. By measuring color change or adsorption ratio, the bare gold nanoparticles can effectively differentiate the Hg²⁺-induced conformational change of the aptamer in the presence of a given salt with high concentration. The assay shows a linear response toward Hg²⁺ concentration through a five-decade range of 1 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ to 1 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹. Even with the naked eye, we could identify micromolar Hg²⁺ concentrations within minutes. By using the spectrometric method, the detection limit was improved to the nanomolar range (0.6 nM). The assay shows excellent selectivity for Hg²⁺ over other metal cations including K⁺, Ba²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Al³⁺, and Fe³⁺. The major advantages of this Hg²⁺ assay are its water-solubility, simplicity, low cost, visual colorimetry, and high sensitivity. This method provides a potentially useful tool for the Hg²⁺ detection.     

Alumina sol-gel/sonogel-carbon electrode based on acetylcholinesterase for detection of organophosphorus pesticides

Two new amperometric biosensors based on immobilization of acetylcholinesterase on a sonogel-carbon electrode for detection of organophosphorous compounds are proposed. The electrodes were prepared applying high-energy ultrasounds directly to the precursors. The first biosensor was obtained by simple entrapping acetylcholinesterase in Al₂O₃ sol-gel matrix on the sonogel-carbon. The second biosensor was produced in a sandwich configuration. Its preparation involved adsorption of the enzyme and modification via a polymeric membrane such as polyethylene glycol and the ion-exchanger Nafion. The optimal enzyme loading was found to be 0.7 mIU. Both biosensors showed optimal activity in 0.2 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.0, at an operating potential of 210 mV. The detection limit achieved for chlorpyriphos-ethyl-oxon was 2.5 × 10⁻¹⁰ M at a 10-min incubation time.     

Label-free detection of adenosine based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer between fluorescent silica nanoparticles and unmodified gold nanoparticles

A sensitive and convenient strategy was developed for label-free assay of adenosine. The strategy adapted the fluorescence resonance energy transfer property between Rhodamine B doped fluorescent silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to generate signal. The different affinities of AuNPs toward the unfolded and folded aptamers were employed for the signal transfer in the system. In the presence of adenosine, the split aptamer fragments react with adenosine to form a structured complex. The folded aptamer cannot be adsorbed on the surface of AuNPs, which induces the aggregation of AuNPs under high ionic concentration conditions, and the aggregation of AuNPs leads to the decrease of the quenching ability. Therefore, the fluorescence intensity of Rhodamine B doped fluorescent SiNPs increased along with the concentration of adenosine. Because of the highly specific recognition ability of the aptamer toward adenosine and the strong quenching ability of AuNPs, the proposed strategy demonstrated good selectivity and high sensitivity for the detection of adenosine. Under the optimum conditions in the experiments, a linear range from 98 nM to 100 μM was obtained with a detection limit of 45 nM. As this strategy is convenient, practical and sensitive, it will provide a promising potential for label-free aptamer-based protein detection.     

Separation of organophosphorus pesticides by using nano-liquid chromatography

In the present research, the separation of a series of organophosphorus pesticides (fensulfothion, fenamiphos, profenofos, fonofos, isofenphos, dialifos, sulprofos and prothiofos), by using nano-liquid chromatography (nano-LC) with UV detection is described. Three 100 μm ID capillary columns, packed with different silica-based stationary phases (CN, C₁₈, and phenyl), were investigated. Among these, the phenyl column offered the best results in terms of chromatographic performance, and was selected for pesticide analyses. Parameters, such as sample dilution solvent, injection volume, mobile phase composition and flow rate, were optimized in order to define the ideal experimental conditions. With the aim of improving sensitivity, on-column focusing of large injection volumes was applied: a sensitivity increase of circa 100-fold was attained, with limits of detection (LODs) and quantification (LOQs) within the 4.4–37.5 and 14.5–125.0 ng/mL ranges, respectively. The method was validated, with satisfactory results, through the measurement of the following parameters: limits of detection and quantification, precision, linearity and recovery. Finally, five different baby foods, previously fortified with a solution of the eight aforementioned pesticides, and then subjected to liquid–liquid extraction and solid-phase extraction clean-up, were analyzed.     

A sol-gel-based amino functionalized fiber for immersed solid-phase microextraction of organophosphorus pesticides from environmental samples

A method based on immersed solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry detection (GC-MS) for the determination of organophosphorous pesticides (OPPs) in aqueous samples was developed. A sol-gel based coating fiber was prepared using 3-(trimethoxysilylpropyl) amine as precursor. The synthesized fiber was prepared in a way to impart polar moiety into the coating network and would be more suitable for extracting polar and semi-polar organic pollutants. Important parameters influencing the extraction process were optimized and an extraction time of 40 min at 30 °C gave maximum peak area, when NaCl (20% w/v) was added to the aqueous sample. The linearity for disulfoton, phorate and sulfotep was in the concentration range of 0.01 to 5 ng mL^− 1 and for parathion and O,O,O-triethylthiphosphate was in the range of 0.01 to 50 ng mL^− 1. Limits of detection ranged from 1 ng L^− 1, for parathion, to 0.05 ng L^− 1, for disulfoton using time-scheduled selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode, and the RSD% values were all below 10.5% at the 1 ng mL^− 1 level. The developed method was successfully applied to real water samples while the relative recovery percentages obtained for the spiked water samples were from 80 to 115%.     

基于分子信标的有机磷农药适配体活性位点分析及改造

设计了一个长度为20个核苷酸的分子信标,建立了有机磷农药和分子信标竞争结合适配体鉴定其活性的方法,对前期筛选的两条适配体进行了活性位点分析和改造.结果表明,分子信标设计合理,性能稳定,其发夹结构在室温下既可成功闭合也可成功打开,最佳的活性鉴定条件为分子信标与适配体添加比例1.25∶1,孵育时间50 min,孵育温度为室温.活性位点分析表明Loop2-4是4种有机磷农药共有的活性位点,Loop2-3及SS4-54适配体5’端和3 '端残余的核苷酸是甲拌磷重要的活性位点,Loop2-2和Loop4-2是丙溴磷和水胺硫磷共有的活性位点,Loop4-3是丙溴磷和氧化乐果共有的活性位点,Loop2-1和Loop4-1是水胺硫磷重要的活性位点.通过基因拼接改造的SS24-PJ-35适配体对丙溴磷和水胺硫磷的结合活性明显提高.     

毛细管电泳在有机磷类除草剂检测中的应用进展

近年来,随着抗草甘膦转基因作物的发展,草甘膦用量逐年增大,大量草甘膦制剂的介入严重影响了土壤、水质及生态环境,危害人类身体健康。如何快速准确检测环境样品中的残留有机磷类除草剂已成为人们关注的焦点问题之一。本文从衍生方法、检测器、离线及在线富集技术等几个方面出发,总结了目前毛细管电泳在检测有机磷类除草剂方面的研究工作,并展望了未来的主要发展方向。     

Prediction of acute toxicity of organophosphorus pesticides using topological indices

Topological indices were used in the prediction of the acute toxicity (intraperitoneal and oral LD₅₀) of organophosphorus pesticides on rats. Models with six variables for the prediction of LD₅₀-i.p. (r?=?0.849, Q ²?=?0.613) and eight variables for LD₅₀-oral (r?=?0.906, Q ²?=?0.701) were selected. External group and cross-validation by use of leave-n-out tests were also performed in order to assess the stability and the prediction performance of the selected topological models.     

基于碳纳米管修饰电极检测有机磷农药的生物传感器

报道了一种用于检测有机磷农药的安培型生物传感器,利用戊二醛交联法将乙酰胆碱酯酶和牛血清白蛋白固定在羧基化多壁碳纳米管修饰玻碳电极表面,制备了可应用于检测有机磷农药的新型生物传感器,并确定了最佳工作条件.该方法具有良好的重现性和回收率,当辛硫磷及氧化乐果的浓度分别在5.0×10-4～5.0×10-1 g/L和1.0×10-3～5.0×10-1 g/L范围内时,抑制率与其浓度的对数呈线性关系,检出限按抑制率为10%时的农药浓度计算,可分别达到3.6×10-4 g/L和5.9×10-4 g/L.     

Determination of organophosphate and carbamate pesticides based on enzyme inhibition using a pH-sensitive fluorescence probe

A flow injection system for the determination of organophosphate and carbamate pesticides is described. A sensitive fluorescence probe was synthesized and used as the pH indicator to detect the inhibition of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The percentage inhibition of enzyme activity is correlated to the pesticide concentration. Several parameters influencing the performance of the system are discussed. The detection limits of 3.5, 50, 12 and 25 μg/l for carbofuran, carbaryl, paraoxon and dichlorvos, in pure water, respectively were achieved with an incubation time of 10 min. A complete cycle of analysis, including incubation time, took 14 min. The detection system has been applied to the determination of carbofuran in spiked vegetable juices (Chinese cabbage and cole), achieving recovery values between 93.2 and 107% for Chinese cabbage juice and 108 and 118% for cole juice at the different concentration levels assayed.     

A new fluorescent probe with ultralow background fluorescence for imaging of endogenous cellular selenol under oxidative stress

A new fluorescent probe (Rhod-Sec) for selenol detection with ultralow background fluorescence have been developed in this paper, which showed a 380-fold off-on fluorescence response, and can be applied to visualize the fluctuation of selenol in HepG2 cells through LPS-induced cells oxidation resistance.     

An intramolecular charge transfer fluorescent probe: synthesis and selective fluorescent sensing of Ag+

An intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) fluorescent probe, in which the thiourea derivative moiety is linked to the fluorescent 4-(dimethylamino) benzamide, has been designed and synthesized. The ions-selective signaling behaviors of the probe were investigated. Upon the addition of Ag+, an overall emission enhancement of 14-fold was observed. Compound 1 displayed highly selective chelation enhanced fluorescence (CHEF) effect with Ag+ over alkali, alkali earth metal ions and some transition metal ions in aqueous methanol solutions. The prominent selective and efficient fluorescent enhancing behavior could be utilized as a new chemosensing probe for the analysis of Ag+ ion in aqueous environment.     

Evaluation of two commercial capillary columns for the enantioselective gas chromatographic separation of organophosphorus pesticides

The separation of the enantiomers of 13 organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) has been investigated by gas chromatography (GC) with flame ionisation detection (FID) using two different commercially available chiral columns, Chirasil-Val (l-valine-tert-butylamide) and CP-Chirasil-Dex CB (heptakis (2,3,6-tri-O-metil)-β-cyclodextrin). Using the Chirasil-Val column no chiral resolution was obtained for the OPPs investigated under any tested experimental condition. The use of the CP-Chirasil-Dex CB stationary phase enabled good individual enantiomeric separation of two OPPs, ruelene and trichlorfon and partial separation of naled, chloretoxyphos, isophenphos and metamidophos. Also, the obtained chromatographic results showed that Chirasil-Dex could resolve enantiomers through the combination of different mechanism (e.g. formation of inclusion complexes and/or interactions outside the cyclodextrin cavity).

Under optimised conditions, precision, linearity range and detection limits were evaluated for the enantiomers of ruelene and trichlorfon using CP-Chirasil-Dex CB column and electron capture detection (ECD). By using the GC-ECD method the enantiomers of these OPPs could be satisfactorily detected at very low concentration levels. The detection limits observed were 1.5 ng mL⁻¹ and 11.5 ng mL⁻¹ for the enantiomers of trichlorfon and ruelene, respectively.     

Microcolumn liquid chromatography of the enantiomers of organophosphorus pesticides with thermionic and ultraviolet detection

Microcolumn liquid chromatography (micro-LC) of some chiral organophosphorus pesticides has been studied using Chiralcel OD columns and simultaneous ultraviolet (UV) and phosphorus selective detection, the latter by means of a micro-UV cell coupled on-line to a thermionic detector (TID). Micro-LC showed a ca. 5-fold improved separation impedance, a ca. 1.8-fold increased column permeability, and greater inertness compared with conventional LC. By using the TID, organophosphorus pesticides could be satisfactorily determined at trace levels, the detection limit being 4 pg/s of phosphorus. The response of the micro-LC-TID system is linear in the range of 0.05–20 ng (r = 0.9994).     

Extraction of organophosphorus pesticides by carbon‐coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles through response surface experimental design

In this paper, carbon‐coated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were successfully synthesized and used as a magnetic solid‐phase extraction absorbent for the preconcentration and extraction of organophosphorus pesticides in environmental water samples. The carbon‐coated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray powder diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometry. The determination of organophosphorus pesticides in water samples with carbon‐coated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles was investigated by high‐performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector. Furthermore, the response surface model based on the central composite design was applied to quantitatively investigate the effect of some important variables influencing the extraction efficiency, such as pH, treatment time, amount of nanoparticle sorbents, and amount of salt and to find the optimized conditions providing the highest extraction efficiency. Under optimized conditions, the calibration curve was linear in the range of 0.5–15.0 ng/mL with a regression coefficient of 0.9948, 0.9958, and 0.9931 for fenitrothion, diazinon, and ethion, respectively. The obtained results showed that this analytical method would be useful for the analysis of fenitrothion, diazinon, and ethion in tap water with high precision and accuracy.     

A fluorescence turn-on probe for cysteine and homocysteine based on thiol-triggered benzothiazolidine ring formation

We synthesized a new coumarin-based probe TP, containing a disulfide moiety, to detect biothiols in cells. A fluorescence turn-on response is induced by the thiol–disulfide exchange of the probe, with subsequent intramolecular benzothiazolidine ring formation giving rise to a fluorescent product. The probe exhibits an excellent selectivity for cysteine (Cys) and homocysteine (Hcy) over glutathione (GSH) and other amino acids. The fluorescent probe also exhibits a highly sensitive fluorescence turn-on response to Cys and Hcy with detection limits of 0.8 μM for Cys and 0.5 μM for Hcy. In addition, confocal fluorescence microscopy imaging using RAW264.7 macrophages demonstrates that the probe TP could be an efficient fluorescent detector for thiols in living cells.