Sakae Yotsumoto Neto

Ultrasensitive Determination of Malathion Using Acetylcholinesterase Immobilized on Chitosan-Functionalized Magnetic Iron Nanoparticles

A renewable, disposable, low cost, and sensitive sensor for the detection of organophosphorus pesticides was constructed by immobilizing the acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE), via glutaraldehyde, on magnetic iron nanoparticles (Fe3O4) previously synthesized and functionalized with chitosan (CS). The sensor was denoted AChE/CS/Fe3O4. The magnetic nanoparticles were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Acetylthiocholine (ATCh) was incubated with AChE/CS/Fe3O4 and attached to a screen-printed electrode using a magnet. The oxidation of thiocholine (from ATCh hydrolysis) was monitored at an applied potential of +0.5 V vs. Ag/AgCl(KClsat) in 0.1 mol L−1 phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.5) as the supporting electrolyte. A mixture of the pesticide malathion and ATCh was investigated using the same procedure, and the results were compared and expressed as inhibition percentages. For determination of malathion, the proposed sensor presented a linear response in the range from 0.5 to 20 nmol L−1 (R = 0.9942). The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 0.3 and 0.8 nmol L−1, respectively. Real samples were also investigated, with recovery values of 96.0% and 108.3% obtained for tomato and pond water samples, respectively. The proposed sensor is a feasible option for malathion detection, offering a linear response, good sensitivity, and a low detection limit.

Photoelectroanalytical Detection of Adrenaline Based on DNA and TiO 2 Nanoparticles Sensitized with Bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene Exploiting LED Light

In this study, a photoelectroanalytical sensor for determination of adrenaline based on deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and anatase titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles sensitized with bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene (BEDT-TTF) was developed, which we henceforward call BEDT-TTF/DNA/TiO2/ITO. The photoelectroanalytical sensor showed high photocurrent to adrenaline under visible light emitting diode (LED) light irradiation in comparison to each component of the composite material. Under optimized conditions, the BEDT-TTF/DNA/TiO2/ITO sensor shows a linear response range from 10 nmol L up to 100 μmol L with a sensitivity of 8.1 nA L μmol and limit of detection of 1 nmol L for the detection of adrenaline. The photoelectrochemical sensor showed high photocurrent to adrenaline in comparison to photocurrent response to ascorbic acid and uric acid. The BEDT-TTF/DNA/TiO2/ITO photoelectrochemical sensor was successfully applied to urine samples, with recovery values between 96 and 106%.