• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2021

The inverted Y-shaped strip detection method based on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was developed for the rapid detection of organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides. The inactivation of AChE by organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides has been well known. The AChE catalyzes acetylthiocholine into thiocholine having (-) and (+) charges, and the (+) charge results in aggregation of gold nanoparticle (GNP). Malaoxon and carbofuran were used as standard organophosphorus and carbamate for the development of the inverted Y-shaped strip, respectively. In order to optimize the method, various angles of the Y-shaped strip, different types of nitrocellulose membrane, and concentration of AChE were tested as key parameters. The detection limit of the method was 10 ng/mL for both malaoxon and carbofuran pesticides. No cross-reaction was observed to other pesticides such as atrazine, cyanazine, simazine, bifenthrin, boscalid, metalaxyl, and chlorobenzilate. Recoveries from lettuce spiked when known concentrations of malaoxon and carbofuran were found ranging from 96.4 to 100.7% and 81 to 112.7%, respectively. This study suggests that the inverted Y-shaped strip method based on AChE may be a useful tool for the sensitive, specific, rapid detection of organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides in agricultural products.