Characterization and optimization of a quantitative colorimetric acetylcholine esterase inhibition assay for biochip integration demonstrated by neurotoxicity evaluation of malathion

• DOI: 10.1016/j.snb.2024.135568
• Publication Date: 2024-02-28T11:05:08Z
• Authors: Mateo G. Vasconez...; Noemi Parato; Silvia Schobesberger; Florian Selinger; Eva I. Reihs; Sarah Spitz; Martin Frauenlob; Peter Ertl; Christian Resch; Gerald Bauer; Günter Povoden; Mario Rothbauer
• Keywords: Biochip; Cholinesterase; Carbamate

Organophosphates (OPs) and carbamates as insecticides, nematicides, fungicides, herbicides are constantly increasing. Their neurotoxic nature requires careful usage, misuse can lead to fatalities. OPs classified 'Class 1' toxic compounds irreversibly inhibit cholinesterases due their molecular structure resembling the natural acetylcholine substrate, leading events in human brain. Monitoring such chemicals is relevant for agricultural applications essential military sector ensure safety of personnel civilian populations. State-of-the-art analytical detection methods require time-consuming pre-treatments costly reagents face challenges associated with pesticide properties like thermal lability, low volatility, high polarity, which compromise analysis performance. Advanced systems electrophoresis or liquid chromatography used address these, but these not well suited field analysis. Miniaturized colorimetric assays becoming more popular various portable devices kits (i.e., metabolic blood cell assays) ease use practicality. Here, we aimed establish optimize a straight-forward paper-based microfluidic esterase inhibition assay mobile organophosphate detection, laying groundwork future microdevice modules be environmental monitoring, public health, CBRN applications.