Colour in a click: on-the-spot carbaryl detection with AChE@ZIF-8

Our project introduces a biosensor platform where acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is encapsulated within zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) to enhance enzyme stability. The AChE@ZIF-8 is used in a gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) colorimetric assay to detect carbaryl rapidly with the naked eye. Upon exposure to carbaryl, the inhibition of AChE activity modulates the aggregation state of AuNPs, resulting in a visible color change. This method offers a fast, portable, and easy method for on-site detection of carbaryl residues in environmental and food samples.