Design of a macroalgae amperometric biosensor; application to the rapid monitoring of organophosphate insecticides in an agroecosystem

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) Vol. 111; pp. 623 - 630
• Main Authors: Nunes, G.S., Lins, J.A.P., Silva, F.G.S., Araujo, L.C., Silva, F.E.P.S., Mendonça, C.D., Badea, M., Hayat, A., Marty, J.-L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01-09-2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Acetylcholinesterase - chemistry; Acetylcholinesterase - metabolism; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Amperometric biosensors; Analysis methods; Analytical chemistry; Animals; Applied sciences; Biological and medical sciences; Biosensing Techniques - methods; Biosensors; Biotechnology; Brazil; Chemical Sciences; Chemistry; Design engineering; Electrochemical methods; Electrophorus; Enzymes; Enzymes, Immobilized - chemistry; Enzymes, Immobilized - metabolism; Estuarine macroalgae; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agroecology; General agroecology. Agricultural and farming systems. Agricultural development. Rural area planning. Landscaping; General agronomy. Plant production; Generalities. Agricultural and farming systems. Agricultural development; Graphite - chemistry; Humans; Immobilization; Insecticides; Insecticides - analysis; Insecticides - metabolism; Limit of Detection; Macroalgae based immobilization; Methods. Procedures. Technologies; Methyl Parathion - analysis; Methyl Parathion - metabolism; Monitoring; Natural water pollution; Nitriles - chemistry; Organophosphate insecticide; Organophosphates; Pollution; Seaweed - chemistry; Seaweed - metabolism; Strategy; Various methods and equipments; Water analysis; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Pollutants, Chemical - metabolism; Water treatment and pollution; Brazil; Brazil, Maranhao; Brazil, Maranhao, Sao Luis I; ASW, Brazil; Macroalgae based immobilization; Amperometric biosensors; Estuarine macroalgae; Organophosphate insecticide; Monitoring; Chemical analysis; Insecticide; Estuaries; Esterases; Acetylcholinesterase; Freshwater environment; Chemical pollution; Ecosystem; Amperometry; Anticholinesterase agent; Organic compounds; Quantitative analysis; Modified material; Enzyme; Algae; Pesticides; Enzyme inhibitor; Enzyme electrode; Carboxylic ester hydrolases; Agroecosystem; Electrochemical detector; Surveillance; Biosensor; Preparation; Surface water; Graphite; Lakes; Hydrolases; Organophosphorus compounds; Water pollution; 7,7,8,8-Tetracyanoquinodimethane; Immobilized enzyme
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.05.028

•A macroalgae based biosensor based on tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) mediator was designed.•The designed biosensor was used to analyze methyl parathion OP insecticide in water samples.•The novel immobilization design led to enhanced stability and sensitivity of the biosensor.•Macroalgae-biosensor could be used as a low-cost and sensitive screening method to detect target analyte.
The immobilization of enzymes onto transducer support is a mature technology and has been successfully implemented to improve biocatalytic processes for diverse applications. However, there exists still need to design more sophisticated and specialized strategies to enhance the functional properties of the biosensors. In this work, a biosensor platform based on innovative fabrication strategy was designed, and employed for the detection of organophosphate (OP) in natural waters. The biosensor was prepared by incorporating acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE) to the graphite paste modified with tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) mediator, along with the use of a macroalgae (Cladaphropsis membranous) as a functional immobilization support. The novel immobilization design resulted in a synergic effect, and led to enhanced stability and sensitivity of the biosensor. The designed biosensor was used to analyze methyl parathion OP insecticide in water samples collected from a demonstrably contaminated lake of São Luis Island, Maranhão, Northeast of Brazil. Water analysis revealed that the aquatic ecosystem was polluted by sub-ppm concentrations of the OP insecticide, and a good correlation was found between values obtained through biosensor and GC–MS techniques. Our results demonstrated that macroalgae-biosensor could be used as a low-cost and sensitive screening method to detect target analyte.