Thursday, November 8, 2007 - 12:30 PM
576a

Acetylcholinesterase-Based Electrochemical Multiphase Microreactor for Detection of Trace Organophosphorus Vapors

Chelsea N. Monty1, Ilwhan Oh1, and Rich Masel2. (1) Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 294 RAL, MC-712, 600 S. Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL 61801, (2) Chemical Engineering, University Of Illinois, 600 S Mathews, Urbana, IL 61801

Due to an increase in demand, the detection of organophosphorus compounds (OPs) has become extremely important. Conventional methods for detection of OPs are gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) and ion mobility spectrometry (IMS). GC/MS and IMS are not ideal detection methods for trace levels of OPs due to their high false positive rates, high cost of production, and low portability.

The hydrolysis of acetylcholine (ACh) is the principal step that terminates intercellular pathways. Organophosphorus compounds with a similar structure to ACh block this hydrolysis through inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The objective of this work is to fabricate a micro-scale device which utilizes a gas-liquid interface to more rapidly detect the inhibition of AChE through chronoamperometry. The miniaturized sensor exhibits fast kinetics, is highly selective, allows for detection of vapor compounds in real time, and has parts per trillion detection limits. This paper describes the optimization of the AChE biosensor. The effect of liquid and gas flow rates, enzyme and substrate concentrations, and buffer pH on enzyme inhibition is studied. Also, recovery of the inhibited enzyme by antidotes, such as pralidoxime, is investigated.