Organophosphorus hydrolase-based assay for organophosphate pesticides

We report a rapid and versatile organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH)-based method for measurement of organophosphates. This assay is based on a substrate-dependent change in pH at the local vicinity of the enzyme. The pH change is monitored using fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), which is covalently immobilized to the enzyme. This method employs the use of poly(methyl methacrylate) beads to which the FITC-labeled enzyme is adsorbed. Analytes were then measured using a microbead fluorescence analyzer. The dynamic concentration range for the assay extends from 25 to 400 &mgr;M for paraoxon with a detection limit of 8 &mgr;M. Organophosphorus insecticides measured using this technique included ethylparathion, methylparathion, dursban, fensulfothion, crotoxyphos, diazinon, mevinphos, dichlorvos, and coumaphos. This technique was used to measure coumaphos in biodegradation samples of cattle dip wastes and showed a high correlation (r2 = 0.998) to an HPLC method.