A Portable Instrument Based on Acetylcholinesterase Biosensor for the Rapid Detection of Pesticides Residues

In this paper, we integrated acetylcholinesterase (AChE) biosensor and detection system to fabricate pesticides residues portable detection instrument for an on-site use. The AChE biosensor was based on the inhibition of enzyme activity that was monitored by the change of oxidation current of the thiocholine using ordinary three electrodes and an own designed potentiostat. The current signal generated from AChE biosensor was very weak, thus, signal detecting and processing module was elaborately designed to reduce lots of the noise and system bias. The response signals of different concentrations cholorpyrifos pesticide were compared with electrochemical workstation to validate the instrument. This instrument could realize the rapid detection of pesticides residues in fruits and vegetables on-site with automatic data processing, display, print out and data storage. The results showed that the detection limit was found to be 2 μg/L for cholorpyrifos and the proposed instrument had a good precision and high stability which would be a new promising rapid detection instrument for pesticides residues in agricultural products. Copyright © 2014 IFSA Publishing, S. L.