Development of Nerve Agent Detection Devices Using Electric EEL Acetylcholinesterase

摘要

The Army currently uses detector tickets impregnated with horse serum cholinesterase for detection of nerve agents. The M256 chemical agent detector kit is used for detection of agent in air; the M30A1 detector kit is used as an adjunct to the Water Testing and Screening Kit; Chemical Agents: AN-M2. Recent requirements for lower levels of nerve agent detection have led to the development of detector tickets using acetylcholinesterase from the electric eel, Electrophrous electricus. This report describes the development of eel enzyme tickets containing POPSO buffer, bovine serum albumin (a protective protein), and Triton X-100, a surfactant, in a formulation which resulted in a detector with an estimated shelf life in excess of 5 years and a sensitivity to 0.02 mg/1 of nerve agent in water and 0.005 mg/cu m in air. These items are being incorporated into new detector kit for chemical agents in water, XM272, and into the M256, by a Product Improvement Program. (Author)