Novel approach for detection of toxic organophosphorus compounds

We report on a novel approach for the detection of toxic organophosphorus (OP) compounds using electrochemical and fluorescence spectroscopy. An electrochemical sensor device that employs gold (Au) interdigitated electrodes (IDT) on a glass substrate was used for the electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) of various OP compounds. Picomolar level detection of ethion, malathion, parathion and fenthion was made possible through EIS performed in the presence of benzodipyrido [3,2-a:2′3′-c] phenazine (BDPPZ). Quantitative detection of ethion, malathion, parathion and fenthion, based on different optical signals produced in the emission spectra, was obtained through fluorescence titration spectroscopy for concentrations as low as 1 pM, 1 nM, 1 μM and 10 μM, respectively.