Acetylcholinesterase was physically adsorbed on polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 to prepare a novel immobilized cholinesterase, which was described for the first time. The immobilized enzyme was tested for its reactivity, enzyme activity stability, the solubility, the influence of pH and buffer, and characteristic reactivity with inhibitors, e.g., organophosphate and carbarnate compounds. The result revealed that the immobilized cholinesterase held its original activity in solution, stable enough, easy to dissolve for convenient operation, and this immobilized cholinesterase could be well used for rapid, on-site screening of organophosphate and carbarnate compounds, together with a portable pesticide analyzer. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.