Electrochemical and optical bioassays of nerve agents based on the organophosphorus-hydrolase mediated growth of cupric ferrocyanide nanoparticles

A new biometallization route for detecting low levels of organophosphorous nerve agents based on organophosphorus-hydrolase (OPH)-stimulated formulation of cupric-ferrocyanide (CuFeCN) nanoparticles is described. The growth and accumulation of these nanoparticles onto the surface of carbon paste electrodes, coupled with their favorable redox activity, allow the amplified electrochemical detection of nerve agents. The results clearly demonstrate the applicability of the biocatalytic formation and surface preconcentration of CuFeCN nanoparticles as a new and attractive bioamplification route and its potential for monitoring of a wide range of biocatalytic transformations. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.