An Approach for Screening Cholinesterase Inhibitors in Drinking Water Using an Immobilized Enzyme Assay

Abstract

A simple, inexpensive, and sensitive method for detecting organophosphate (OP) and carbamate insecticides is reported. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was immobilized to Porex^® Lateral‐Flo™ membrane material and remained active for several months at room temperature. The assay was sensitive to a number of OP and carbamate insecticides. Tap water and bottled water matrices showed no effect on the assay. The change in optical density could be determined using an optical plate reader or by visual examination compared to a control and blank. The detection limit for paraoxon by visual examination was 10 ppb.

^#The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), through its Office of Research and Development (ORD), has funded and performed the research described. This manuscript has been subjected to the EPA's peer and administrative review and has been approved for publication. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by the US EPA.

Keywords:

• Cholinesterase inhibitors
• Organophosphate insecticides
• Carbamate insecticides
• Screening assay

Notes

^#The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), through its Office of Research and Development (ORD), has funded and performed the research described. This manuscript has been subjected to the EPA's peer and administrative review and has been approved for publication. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by the US EPA.