Review of recent developments (2018-2020) on acetylcholinesterase inhibition based biosensors for organophosphorus pesticides detection

Organophosphorus (OPs) pesticides have been widely used for crop protection in conventional agricultural fields. The OPs residues in the soil, food, and surface- and ground-water can reach humans and irreversibly inhibit the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) via phosphorylation causing brain dysfunction and cholinergic crisis, which finally leads to death. Even the low concentration of OPs induces lymphoma in the human system. Traditional analytical methods for sensing OPs possess significant limitations such as prolonged responses, expensive, and required complicated detection procedures. Recently, the development of AChE inhibition based biosensors provided a simple platform for the quick and feasible detection of the OPs and its metabolites in the actual (food, agro, and water) samples. In the current review, we aim to present the overview of the recent advancements and novel findings in various AChE inhibition based sensing strategies especially, optical, electrochemical, lab-on-paper sensors, microfluidic, and other devices for the rapid detection of OPs pesticides within the period of Jan. 2018 to Aug. 2020. Additionally, the significant achievements of nanotechnology in AChE inhibition based sensing strategies, recent patents, and commercially available OPs detection kits have also been reviewed. Further, the working mechanisms, sensing parameters, analytical performances, advantages, and drawbacks of different AChE based OPs sensors have been compared and discussed. Finally, the present challenges, research gaps, and future outlooks in AChE inhibition based OPs detection are highlighted. This profound investigation on AChE based OPs detection techniques will offer knowledge for further improvements towards the commercial development of a novel biosensor for the detection of a wide range of OPs compounds.

Automated summary

Organophosphorus pesticides pose health risks to humans due to their residues in soil, food, and water, leading to the development of rapid and effective detection methods. The development of AChE inhibition based biosensors offers a simple platform for quick detection of OPs in various samples, with nanotechnology playing a significant role in enhancing sensing strategies. Further research is needed to address challenges and gaps in AChE inhibition based OPs detection for commercial biosensor development.