A new organic phase enzyme electrode for the analysis of organophosphorus pesticides and carbamates

A bienzymatic inhibition organic phase enzyme electrode (OPEE) has been developed that can be used to check organophosphorus pesticides or carbamates working in chloroform-n-hexane mixture (50%, v/v). Two enzymes (butyrylcholinesterase and choline oxidase), both immobilised in kappa-carrageenan gel and an amperometric gas diffusion electrode for oxygen, were used. The results show that the limit of detection of the method for pesticides such as aldicarb or paraoxon is about 4.5 mu g l(-1), the linearity range covers about one or half a decade and the response time 6-12 min, according to the pesticide analysed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.