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 personal. 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. Galanthamine and donepezil were measured as model inhibitors. 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 the assay is fully suitable for practical performance.