• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.269-276
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• 2019

A colorimetric rapid detection method based on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was developed for the analysis of organophosphorus (OP) and carbamate (CB) pesticides. The AChE catalyzes acetylthiocholine into thiocholine having (-) and (+) charges, and the (+) charge results in gold nanoparticle (GNP) aggregation. The in-activation of AChE by OP and CB has been well known. In order to optimize the colorimetric method, optimal dilution times of commercial serum containing AChE, diameter of GNP, and concentration of acetylthiocholine were tested as a key parameter. The colorimetric detection limits of the method were 7.5 ng/mL for both dimethyl amine and carbofuran pesticides in 60% ethanol. No cross-reaction to other chemicals, such as aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A, which can be contaminated with pesticides in agricultural products, was observed. Recoveries from lettuce, sesame leaf, and cabbage lettuce spiked with known concentrations of dimethyl amine and carbofuran were found to be ranged from 83.85 to 133.16%. These results indicated that the colorimetric rapid method based on AChE can be a useful tool for the sensitive, specific, rapid, and accurate detection of OP and CB pesticides in fresh vegetables.