Development of an acetylcholinesterase-based detection kit for the determination of organophosphorus and carbamate pesticide residues in agricultural samples

The objective of this study was to develop a rapid, simple, and qualitative acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-detection kit, based on a modification of the Ellman and ELISA methods, for the detection of organophosphorus (OP) and carbamate (CB) pesticide. The developed kits were used to screen a large number of agricultural samples (spiked and real) for OP and CB pesticide residues. AChE was extracted from the heads of honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) using Triton X-100, and was purified through 3 steps: diethylaminoethyl-cellulose chromatography (DEAE), affinity chromatography and membrane filtering, and Mono-Q column chromatography. Epoxy-activated Sepharose 6B affinity chromatography was used for large-scale purification. The presence of OP and CB pesticide residues in agricultural samples was assayed on the basis of AchE inhibition value. The presence (6 bands) or absence of some colored bands on the test line indicated a negative or positive result, respectively. The limits of detection for measured organophosphorus (OP) and carbamates (CB) pesticide residues in standard pesticide solutions and fortified samples were ranged from 0.50 to 2.50 ppm and 0.50 to 4.75 ppm, respectively.