title: Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors Assay Using Colorimetric pH Sensitive Strips and Image Analysis by a Smartphone.
abstract: Smartphones are widely spread and their usage does not require any trained personnel. Recently, smartphones were successfully used in analytical chemistry as a simple detection tool in some applications. This paper focuses on immobilization of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) onto commercially available pH strips with stabilization in the gelatin membrane. AChE degrades acetylcholine into choline and acetic acid which causes color change of acid-base indicator. Smartphone served as a tool for measurement of indicator color change from red to orange while inhibitors blocked this process. AChE inhibitors were measured with limits of detection, 149 nM and 22.3 nM for galanthamine and donepezil, respectively. Organic solvents were measured for method interferences. Measurement procedure was performed on 3D printed holder and digital photography was evaluated using red-green-blue (RGB) channels. The invented assay was validated to the standard Ellman's test and verified on murine plasma samples spiked with inhibitors. We consider that the assay is fully suitable for practical performance.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice, Studentska 95, 53210 Pardubice, Czech Republic; Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defense, Trebesska 1575, 50001 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kostelnik
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice, Studentska 95, 53210 Pardubice, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cegan
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defense, Trebesska 1575, 50001 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; Department of Geology and Pedology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Miroslav
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-8804-8356
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pohanka