Development of a carbon quantum dot-based sensor for the detection of acetylcholinesterase and the organophosphate pesticide

In this study, a proper and reliable fluorometric method is introduced for screening acetylcholinesterase (AChE) its inhibitors, using carbon quantum dots (CQDs) as the signal reporter. Pure, S-doped, P-doped CQDs, were synthesized their recoverable fluorescence quenching properties observed, when exposed to Hg2+, Cu2+, Fe3+ ions, respectively. The study on recovery of emission showed that after introduction another guest substance with stronger affinity restored. Design Expert software was employed compare performance three fluorescent probes, based efficiency percentage in presence AChE acetylthiocholine (ATCh). Based statistical analysis, among studied S-doped CQD most suitable candidate sensor designing. detection mechanism proposed CQD-based follows: strong binding Cu2+ ions carboxyl groups quenches signal. Then, hydrolysis ATCh into thiocholine (TCh) causes recovery, due TCh, rather than CQD. Finally, malathion chlorpyrifos loses ability hydrolyze so remains quenched. technique, designed limits 1.70 ppb 1.50 chlorpyrifos,