Biosensors for the Detection of OP Nerve Agents

This chapter reviews recent studies of biosensors for detecting organophosphorus (OP) nerve agents. Different detection modes using different enzymes and combinations of them are applicable to constructing OP biosensors using electrochemical principles. Among them, use of the organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH) enzyme is superior to other protocols because OPH-based biosensors directly detect OP compounds in a single step as compared to the inhibition-mode biosensors based on cholinesterase (ChE) and ChE-choline oxidase (ChOx) enzymes, which require two-step operation. One advantage of electrochemical biosensors in OP detection is that a portable device can easily be prepared for in-field analysis. Easy biosensor operation is another benefit when compared to chromatographic or spectroscopic measurements. Therefore, biosensors have a high potential for fast on-site screening of OP nerve agents.