Alumina sol–gel/sonogel-carbon electrode based on acetylcholinesterase for detection of organophosphorus pesticides

Two new amperometric biosensors based on immobilization of acetylcholinesterase on a sonogel-carbon electrode for detection of organophosphorous compounds are proposed. The electrodes were prepared applying high-energy ultrasounds directly to the precursors. The first biosensor was obtained by simple entrapping acetylcholinesterase in Al2O3 sol–gel matrix on the sonogel-carbon. The second biosensor was produced in a sandwich configuration. Its preparation involved adsorption of the enzyme and modification via a polymeric membrane such as polyethylene glycol and the ion-exchanger Nafion. The optimal enzyme loading was found to be 0.7 mIU. Both biosensors showed optimal activity in 0.2 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.0, at an operating potential of 210 mV. The detection limit achieved for chlorpyriphos-ethyl-oxon was 2.5 × 10−10 M at a 10-min incubation time.