FIBEROPTIC REMOTE DETECTION OF PESTICIDES AND RELATED INHIBITORS OF THE ENZYME ACETYLCHOLINE ESTERASE

We present a novel method for the remote detection of inhibitors (e.g., pesticides) of the enzyme acetylcholine esterase (AChE) with a fiber-optic photometer based exclusively on the use of solid-state opto-electronic components including light-emitting diodes and photodiodes. The method employs a yellow synthetic enzyme substrate which is hydrolyzed by the enzyme to give a blue product. In the presence of an inhibitor, the rate of formation of this blue product is reduced. The resulting signal change is detected via fiber optics and may serve as an alarm.