Carbon Nanostructures for Development of Acetylcholinesterase Electrochemical Biosensors for Determination of Pesticides

Abstract

The large amount of pesticide residues in the environment is a threat to global health by inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Electrochemical biosensors based on inhibition of AChE are attractive for the detection of pesticides. To improve the performance characteristics of the biosensors for pesticides detection, carbon nanostructures such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene allow for large quantities of enzyme to be immobilized, provide a favorable microenvironment to maintain the enzyme activity, and facilitate the oxidation of the enzymatic products. Recently, research on carbon nanostructures-based electrochemical biosensors began very recently and rapidly gained attention due to the outstanding properties of carbon nanostructures. The aim of this review is to provide insight into the carbon nanostructures-based electrochemical biosensors by inhibition of AChE and to show their benefits for determination of pesticides.