Sensitive amperometric biosensor for dichlorovos quantification: Application to detection of residues on apple skin

This paper presents the construction of an amperometric biosensor for the highly sensitive detection of the organophosphorus insecticide dichlorvos, based on the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The sensitivity of three AChEs from different sources were tested and compared: AChEs from Electric eel (Ee) and genetically engineered (B394) and wild type (B1) from Drosophila melanogaster (Dm). The enzymes were immobilized by entrapment in a photocrosslinkable PVA-SbQ polymer on a screen printed graphite electrode. The enzyme activity was estimated amperometrically at 100mV versus Ag/AgCl by measuring the thiocholine produced by the enzymatic hydrolysis of the acetylthiocholine substrate using cobalt phthalocyanine as electron mediator. The pesticide was measured in the presence of 5% acetonitrile without loss of enzyme activity. The best sensitivity was achieved with the Dm mutant B394 with a detection limit of 7x10(-11)M as compared to 1x10(-8)M with the B1 Dm and 6x10(-7)M with the Ee. The B394 biosensor was used to quantify dichlorvos in a sample of skin apple after extraction with acetonitrile.     

A quantitative determination of organophosphate pesticides in organic solvents

An amperometric acetylcholinesterase (AChE) biosensor based on thiocholine-hexacyanoferrate reaction was developed for the analysis of OPCs in pure organic solvents. The enzyme (AChE) was co-immobilized with an electron mediator, Prussian Blue, on the surface of a graphite electrode. The effect of organic solvents on acetylcholinesterase activity was estimated in the presence of polar (hydrophilic) and non-polar (hydrophobic) organic solvents in the range of 0.01–100%. The ability of the AChE biosensor to detect pesticides was demonstrated by quantitative determination of dichlorvos, fenthion and diazinon in ethanol solvent. The assay allows determination of OPCs in sub-micromolar concentration ranges with an overall assay time of 10 minutes. The sensing elements of the amperometric AChE biosensor can be stored in dry state for more than 2 months. The AChE biosensor possesses distinct advantages, including monitoring of hydrophobic substrates, elimination of microbial contamination, and relative ease of enzyme immobilization. Potential application areas include food analysis and environmental monitoring.     

Determination of phenolic acids using Trametes versicolor laccase

Two biosensors based on Trametes versicolor laccase (TvL) were developed for the determination of phenolic compounds. Commercial oxygen electrode and ferrocene-modified screen-printed graphite electrodes were used for preparation of laccase biosensors. The systems were calibrated for three phenolic acids. Linearity was obtained in the concentration range 0.1-1.0 μM caffeic acid, 0.05-0.2 μM ferulic acid, 2.0-14.0 μM syringic acid for laccase immobilised on a commercial oxygen electrode and 2.0-30.0 μM caffeic acid, 2.0-10.0 μM ferulic acid, 4.0-30.0 μM syringic acid for laccase immobilised on ferrocene-modified screen-printed electrodes. Furthermore, optimal pH, temperature and thermal stability studies were performed with the commercial oxygen electrode. Both electrodes were used for determination of a class of phenolic acids, achieving a cheap and fast tool and an easy to be used procedure for screening real samples of human plasma.     

Suggested Improvement in the Ing-Manske Procedure and Gabriel Synthesis of Primary Amines: Kinetic Study on Alkaline Hydrolysis of N-Phthaloylglycine and Acid Hydrolysis of N-(o-Carboxybenzoyl)glycine in Aqueous Organic Solvents

A slight modification of the Gabriel synthesis of primary amines is suggested on the basis of the observed and reported values of rate constants for the alkaline and acid hydrolyses of phthalimide, phthalamic acid, benzamide, and their N-substituted derivatives. The suggested procedure requires shorter reactions time and milder acid-base reaction conditions compared with the conventional acid-base hydrolysis in the Gabriel synthesis. A slight modification in the Ing-Manske procedure is also suggested. Pseudo-first-order rate constants, k(obs), for hydrolysis of N-phthaloylglycine, NPG, decrease from 24.1 x 10(-3) to 7.72 x 10(-3) and 6.12 x 10(-3) s(-1) with increasing acetonitrile and 1,4-dioxan contents, respectively, from 2 to 50% v/v (all the percentages given in the paper are vol %), while increasing the organic cosolvents content from 50 to 80% increases k(obs) from 7.72 x 10(-3) to 19.7 x 10(-3) s(-1) for acetonitrile and from 6.12 x 10(-3) to 52.8 x 10(-3) s(-1) for 1,4-dioxan, in aqueous organic solvents containing 0.004 M NaOH at 35 degrees C. The rate constants for NPG hydrolysis decrease from 2.11 x 10(-2) to 1.19 x 10(-4) s(-1) with increasing MeOH content from 2 to 84%, in aqueous organic solvents containing 2% MeCN and 0.004 M NaOH at 35 degrees C.     

Immobilization of acetylcholinesterase on screen-printed electrodes: comparative study between three immobilization methods and applications to the detection of organophosphorus insecticides

The analytical performance of three acetylcholinesterase (AChE) screen-printed biosensors designed for the detection of pesticides are evaluated. Bioencapsulation of the enzyme in a sol-gel composite and immobilization by metal-chelate affinity were compared with the entrapment of the enzyme in a photopolymerisable polymer. A very low amount of enzyme ranging between 0.8 and 1.2 mIU was immobilized on the electrode surface in each approach. The sensors exhibited a storage stability of over 6 months when the enzyme was encapsulated in a polymer film. Pesticide concentrations in the range of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻⁹ M paraoxon, dichlorvos and chlorpyrifos ethyl oxon could be detected according to each configuration by following an incubation time of 20 min.     

Enzyme immobilization procedures on screen-printed electrodes used for the detection of anticholinesterase pesticides: Comparative study

A comparison between several acetylcholinesterase (AChE) immobilization procedures on the 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ)-modified graphite working electrodes is presented. The immobilization methods employed crosslinking with glutaraldehyde in presence of BSA protein and photopolymerization with poly(vinyl alcohol) bearing styrylpyridinium groups (PVA-SbQ). The main variations were related to the enzyme charge in each electrode and the enzyme conditioning and storage conditions after immobilization. Initially, the enzyme-substrate reaction was carried out and the following parameters were chrono-amperometrically and -coulometrically monitored: current intensities, time to stabilize the current response, and the mass transfer represented by the Coulomb charge. The screen-printed biosensors that presented best characteristics were then used to perform the inhibition assays and to verify the sensitivity against the following NMC insecticides: aldicarb, carbaryl, carbofuran, and methomyl.In general, diffusion of electrons into the sensitive layer, mass transfer, and time to stabilize the current were adequate in all cases. The Cottrell law was followed before the 1 min of enzyme-substrate reaction. Adequate reproducibility within electrochemical measurements was also observed, with relative standard deviations varying from 6.5 to 18.6%.AChE immobilization with glutaraldehyde allow to obtain robust and reproducible biosensors, but they need a much higher enzyme content (80 mUA per electrode) to achieve current values comparable to that constructed by immobilizing the AChE through photopolymerization with PVA-SbQ (0.7 to 1 mUA per electrode). The limits of detection were determined with a minimum 10% inhibition, and varied from 10⁻⁹ to 8×10⁻⁹ M (0.2 to 1.5 ppb) by employing the enzyme immobilization through photopolymerization with PVA-SbQ. In practice, this kind of immobilization procedure is much simpler and produces good results: fast response, adequate reproducibility, large pesticides working ranges, and excellent sensitivities to N-methylcarbamates (NMCs) which in general do not present enzyme inhibition power as elevated as for the organophosphate pesticides.     

Acetylcholinesterase based assay of eleven organophosphorus pesticides: finding of assay limitations

The study includes findings about limitations of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) based assay. Eleven organophosphorus pesticides: chlorpyrifos ethyl, chlorpyrifos methyl, DFP, dichlorvos, dimethoate, fenthion, paraoxon ethyl, paraoxon methyl, phosalone, pirimiphos methyl and pirimiphos ethyl were photometrically assayed using AChE as a recognition element. The study was carried out in order to find approachability of AChE based assay. In the first round, common organic solvents were tested for interfering in assay, since samples collection and extraction is a necessary part in samples processing. Isopropanol was found as the most convenient due to minimal inhibition not exceeding 5%. Though all analysed pesticides inhibit AChE in vivo, some of them are toxic after metabolisation. We found AChE based assay approachable for assay of DFP, paraoxons, and dichlorvos. These are oxoforms of organophosphorus pesticides. From thioforms of assayed pesticides, only fenthion was able significantly inhibit AChE in vitro. Electrochemical biosensor with AChE attached on platinum electrode was used for confirmation of interaction pesticide – AChE and complex stability estimation. DFP, paraoxons and dichlorvos were allowed to interact with AChE in biosensor. These pesticides were settled firmly in AChE active site as no spontaneous recovery of AChE activity was observed.     

Detection of organophosphorus insecticides with immobilized acetylcholinesterase – comparative study of two enzyme sensors

Two-enzyme systems based on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) - a mono-enzyme system based on AChE, with p-aminophenyl acetate as substrate, and a bi-enzyme system based on AChE and tyrosinase, with phenyl acetate as substrate - have been studied for detection of organophosphate insecticides. The analytical performance and detection limits for determination of the pesticides were compared for the two AChE configurations. The enzyme loading, pH, and applied potential of the bi-enzyme system were optimised. When phenyl acetate was used as substrate for AChE activity the phenol generated by enzymatic hydrolysis was determined with a second enzyme, tyrosinase. Amperometric measurements were performed at 100 mV and -150 mV relative to the Ag/AgCl reference electrode for the mono-enzyme and bi-enzyme systems. Screen-printed sensors were used to detect the organophosphorus pesticides paraoxon and chlorpyrifos ethyl oxon; the detection limits achieved with phenyl acetate as substrate were 5.2x10(-3) mg L(-1) and 0.56x10(-3) mg L(-1), respectively.     

Organophosphorus pesticides detection using acetylcholinesterase biosensor based on gold nanoparticles constructed by electroless plating on vertical nitrogen-doped single-walled carbon nanotubes

An acetylcholinesterase (AChE) biosensor was constructed based on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using electroless plating on vertical nitrogen-doped single-walled carbon nanotubes (VNSWCNTs) for detecting organophosphorus pesticides (OPs). AChE was immobilised on AuNPs via Au–S bonding, and VNSWCNTs were produced by spontaneous chemical adsorption of NSWCNTs on gold electrode, also via Au–S bonding. This modified electrode exhibited excellent electron transfer capacity due to the synergy between AuNPs and VNSWCNTs. The developed biosensor showed good linear relations at concentrations of 10^?5 – 1 ppb, and the detection limits were 3.04 × 10^?6 ppb for methyl parathion, 1.96 × 10^?6 ppb for malathion and 2.06 × 10^?6 ppb for chlorpyrifos, respectively. The AChE biosensor revealed satisfactory stability, excellent sensitivity and good repeatability. These results suggest that this biosensor has good application prospects and can function as a sensitive device in OPs analysis.     

Development of an optical fibre Al(III) sensor based on immobilised chrome azurol S

Chrome azurol S immobilised on XAD-2 has been used in this study as a reagent phase for the development of an optical fibre Al(III) sensor. Using a kinetic approach, this sensor was able to give a linear response in the Al(III) concentration range of 1.3 x 10(-5)-2.0 x 10(-4) M with a limit of detection of 1.0 x 10(-4) M. The optimum responses were obtained at pH 6.0 and when the solution was stirred. The sensor response was found to have a repeatability and reproducibility of 1.6% and 5.8%, respectively. The results obtained for Al(III) determination in aqueous sample were in good agreement with those obtained using graphite furnace-atomic absorption spectrometry.     

Construction and analytical application of a biosensor based on stearic acid-graphite powder modified with sweet potato tissue in organic solvents

A biosensor based on stearic acid-graphite powder modified with sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) tissue as peroxidase source was constructed and applied in organic solvents. Several parameters were studied to evaluate the performance of this biosensor such as stearic acid-graphite powder and tissue composition, type and concentration of supporting electrolyte, organic solvents, water/organic solvent ratio (% v/v) and hydrogen peroxide concentration. After selection of the best conditions, the biosensor was applied for the determination of hydroquinone in cosmetic creams in methanol. At the peroxidase electrode hydroquinone is oxidized in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and the radical formed was reduced back electrochemically at -180 mV vs Ag/AgCl (3.0 mol L(-1) KCl). The reduction current obtained was proportional to the concentration of hydroquinone from 6.2 x 10(-5) to 1.5 x 10(-3) mol L(-1) (r = 0.9990) with a detection limit of 8.5 x 10(-6) mol L(-1). The recovery of hydroquinone from two samples ranged from 98.8 to 104.1% and an RSD lower than 1.0% for a solution containing 7.3 x 10(-4) mol L(-1) hydroquinone and 1.0 x 10(-3) mol L(-1) hydrogen peroxide in 0.10 mol L(-1) tetrabutylammonium bromide methanol-phosphate buffer solution (95:5% v/v) (n = 10) was obtained.     

Laser flash photolysis generation and kinetic studies of porphyrin-manganese-oxo intermediates. Rate constants for oxidations effected by porphyrin-Mn(V)-oxo species and apparent disproportionation equilibrium constants for porphyrin-Mn(IV)-oxo species

Porphyrin-manganese(V)-oxo and porphyrin-manganese(IV)-oxo species were produced in organic solvents by laser flash photolysis (LFP) of the corresponding porphyrin-manganese(III) perchlorate and chlorate complexes, respectively, permitting direct kinetic studies. The porphyrin systems studied were 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP), 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin (TPFPP), and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-methylpyridinium)porphyrin (TMPyP). The order of reactivity for (porphyrin)Mn(V)(O) derivatives in self-decay reactions in acetonitrile and in oxidations of substrates was (TPFPP) > (TMPyP) > (TPP). Representative rate constants for reaction of (TPFPP)Mn(V)(O) in acetonitrile are k = 6.1 x 10(5) M(-1) s(-1) for cis-stilbene and k = 1.4 x 10(5) M(-1) s(-1) for diphenylmethane, and the kinetic isotope effect in oxidation of ethylbenzene and ethylbenzene-d(10) is k(H)/k(D) = 2.3. Competitive oxidation reactions conducted under catalytic conditions display approximately the same relative rate constants as were found in the LFP studies of (porphyrin)Mn(V)(O) derivatives. The apparent rate constants for reactions of (porphyrin)Mn(IV)(O) species show inverted reactivity order with (TPFPP) < (TMPyP) < (TPP) in reactions with cis-stilbene, triphenylamine, and triphenylphosphine. The inverted reactivity results because (porphyrin)Mn(IV)(O) disproportionates to (porphyrin)Mn(III)X and (porphyrin)Mn(V)(O), which is the primary oxidant, and the equilibrium constants for disproportionation of (porphyrin)Mn(IV)(O) are in the order (TPFPP) < (TMPyP) < (TPP). The fast comproportionation reaction of (TPFPP)Mn(V)(O) with (TPFPP)Mn(III)Cl to give (TPFPP)Mn(IV)(O) (k = 5 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1)) and disproportionation reaction of (TPP)Mn(IV)(O) to give (TPP)Mn(V)(O) and (TPP)Mn(III)X (k approximately 2.5 x 10(9) M(-1) s(-1)) were observed. The relative populations of (porphyrin)Mn(V)(O) and (porphyrin)Mn(IV)(O) were determined from the ratios of observed rate constants for self-decay reactions in acetonitrile and oxidation reactions of cis-stilbene by the two oxo derivatives, and apparent disproportionation equilibrium constants for the three systems in acetonitrile were estimated. A model for oxidations under catalytic conditions is presented.     

Adsorption: an easy and efficient immobilisation of acetylcholinesterase on screen-printed electrodes

An amperometric biosensor based on acetylcholinesterase was constructed by simple adsorption of the enzyme on screen-printed electrodes (SPEs). This sensor was used to detect the inhibitory effects of organophosphorus and carbamate insecticides on acetylcholinesterase, and more particularly of chlorpyrifos ethyl oxon (CP-o). We demonstrate that enzyme adsorption on SPEs allows to obtain stable sensors that present good characteristics and are as efficient as other screen-printed biosensors based on covalent binding or entrapment of acetylcholinesterase (AChE).     

Enzyme sensors for determination of fish freshness

A simple and rapid procedure for the determination of fish freshness was developed and applied to the determination of the K(1) parameter (freshness indicator): K(1) = ([HXR] + [HX])/([IMP] + [HXR] + [HX]) x 100, where [IMP], [HXR] and [HX] are inosine monophosphate, inosine and hypoxanthine concentrations, respectively. A platinum electrode is used to detect hydrogen peroxide produced by the enzymatic reaction catalysed by xanthine oxidase immobilised on the electrode surface. The determination of inosine and inosine monophosphate was performed by the addition of nucleoside phosphorylase, 5'-nucleotidase or alkaline phosphatase to the buffer solution. Parameters such as type of buffer, amount of enzymes and sample treatment were optimised. With this procedure a linear response was obtained in the concentration range 1 x 10(-6)-2 x 10(-5)mol 1(-1) for hypoxanthine, inosine and inosine monophosphate. The detection limit was 5 x 10(-7) mol 1(-1).     

New cesium ion-selective electrodes based on anilino-(1,3-dioxo-2-indanylidene) acetonitrile derivatives

Cesium ion-selective PVC membrane electrodes based on anilino-(1,3-dioxo-2-indanylidene) acetonitrile derivatives as a novel class of neutral ionophores were examined. The ionophores were p-methoxyanilino-(1,3-dioxo-2-indanylidene) acetonitrile, p-methylanilino-(1,3-dioxo-2-indanylidene) acetonitrile and p-N,N-dimethylanilino-(1,3-dioxo-2-indanylidene) acetonitrile. The anilino-(1,3-dioxo-2-indanylidene) acetonitrile proved to work well with cesium, the corresponding electrodes display a response to this ion. The most favourable ionophore was p-methoxyanilino-(1,3-dioxo-2-indanylidene) acetonitrile, especially when the secondary ion exchanger potassium tetrakis (4-chlorophenyl) borate was incorporated in 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether for ion-selective electrode membrane construction. The response function was linear within the concentration range 10(-1)-2.5x10(-5) mol l(-1) and the slope was 52 mV decade(-1). The detection limit remained at 6.3x10(-6) mol(-1). The selectivity and response time of the electrode was studied and it was found that the electrode exhibited good selectivity for cesium over alkali, alkaline earth and some transition metal ions. The electrode response was stable over a wide pH range. The lifetime of the electrode was about 1 month.     

Electrochemical Assay of Methyl Parathion in Homogeneous Reaction Using Water Soluble Films with Immobilized Acetylcholinesterase

Water soluble poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) was used to prepare the enzyme membranes of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) for electrochemical assaying methyl parathion in water insoluble organic solvent. The immobilized enzyme was separated from electrode for the development of enzyme inhibition-based bioassays. This assay is simple and convenient where enzyme membrane is applicable for single use and the electrode for repeated use. The enzyme membranes can be used handily piece by piece and the released AChE performs catalytic reaction homogeneously. The inhibition percentage of AChE increases with the concentration of methyl parathion ranging from 0.1 to 1 mg/mL.     

Organophosphorus insecticides extraction and heterogeneous oxidation on column for analysis with an acetylcholinesterase (AChE) biosensor

This paper presents an analysis method for organophosphorus insecticides based on AChE biosensors coupled with a preconcentration and oxidation on a solid phase column. Three organic solvents, acetonitrile (ACN), ethanol and methanol were tested for their influence on AChE activity, insecticide inhibition and their ability to elute the adsorbed insecticides. Our results showed that ACN in a concentration of 5% (v/v) had the less negative effect on biosensor analysis and was the most appropriate organic solvent for the column elution. The presence of the organic solvent in the incubation media of the biosensor was found to induce a reduction of the inhibition percentages. The inhibition of the biosensors was performed in phosphate buffer with 5% (v/v) ACN, while the initial and remaining response of the biosensors were measured in PBS. In these conditions, the LODs of paraoxon and dichlorvos were measured with or without a preconcentration step. The LODs of the AChE biosensor without sample preconcentration were 8 × 10⁻⁸ M for paraoxon and 1 × 10⁻⁷ M dichlorvos and the LOD obtained after the preconcentration step were 2.5 × 10⁻⁸ M for paraoxon and 2.5 × 10⁻⁸ M for dichlorvos. Moreover, the use of the column allowed the heterogeneous oxidation of organophosphorus insecticides for improved LOD.     

The role of low levels of water in the electrochemical oxidation of α-tocopherol (vitamin E) and other phenols in acetonitrile

The phenol, α-tocopherol, can be electrochemically oxidised in a -2e(-)/-H(+) process to form a diamagnetic cation that is long-lived in dry organic solvents such as acetonitrile and dichloromethane, but in the presence of water quickly reacts to form a hemiketal. Variable scan rate cyclic voltammetry experiments in acetonitrile with carefully controlled amounts of water between 0.010 M-0.6 M were performed in order to determine the rate of reaction of the diamagnetic cation with water. The water content of the solvent was accurately determined by Karl Fischer coulometric titrations and the voltammetric data were modelled using digital simulation techniques. The oxidation peak potential of α-tocopherol measured during cyclic voltammetry experiments was found to shift to less positive potentials as increasing amounts of water (0.01-0.6 M) were added to the acetonitrile, which was interpreted based on hydrogen-bonding interactions between the phenolic hydrogen atom and water. Several other phenols were examined and they displayed similar voltammetric features to α-tocopherol, suggesting that interactions of phenols with trace amounts of water were a common occurrence in acetonitrile. The H-bonding interactions of α-tocopherol with water were also examined via NMR and UV-vis spectroscopies, with the voltammetric and spectroscopic studies extended to include other coordinating solvents (dimethyl sulfoxide and pyridine).     

Molecular recognition of fluoride anion: benzene-based tripodal imidazolium receptor

A benzene-based tripodal imidazolium receptor utilizing the strong (C-H)(+)...X(-) hydrogen bonding interaction between imidazolium moieties and halide anions is extensively investigated both theoretically and experimentally. Ab initio calculations predict that this receptor has a very high affinity for fluoride ion (F(-)). The association constant and free energy gain of the N-butyl receptor 2 for F(-) in acetonitrile were measured to be 2.1 x 10(5) M(-1) and -7.25 kcal/mol, respectively, showing that the receptor has a high affinity for F(-) in highly polar organic solvents.     

Determination of horseradish peroxidase and a peroxidase-like iron porphyrin at a Nafion-modified electrode.

A catalytic coupling reaction between 4-amino antipyrine and a N,N-disubstituted aniline derivative has been exploited in the indirect electrochemical detection of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and of a biomimetic catalyst, the iron(III) sulfonated tetraphenyl porphyrin. In the presence of hydrogen peroxide and one of the two catalysts a cationic electroactive quinone-iminium dye P+ was formed and detected by linear scan voltammetry using a screen-printed electrode coated with a Nafion film. Detection limits of 10(-12) M for HRP and 4 x 10(-10) M for the iron porphyrin have been achieved. In conclusion the iron porphyrin is considered to be a promising alternative to the HRP label in enzyme immunoassays with electrochemical detection.