METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR DETECTION AND IDENTIFICATION OF ORGANOPHOSPHORUS NERVE AGENTS, PESTICIDES AND OTHER TOXINS

摘要

The present invention provides methods and devices for detecting and identifying toxins, including but not limited to organophosphorus nerve agents and/or organophosphorus pesticides, in a sample. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a method for identifying an organophosphorus nerve agent and/or an organophosphorus pesticide, comprising: exposing a group of enzymes comprising human carboxylesterase 1, at least one mutant of human carboxylesterase 1, and acetylcholinesterase to a sample, wherein the enzymes are separate from each other and each enzyme binds at least one organophosphorus nerve agent or at least one organophosphorus pesticide; contacting the exposed enzymes with a fluid comprising an oxime and a substrate; and detecting a signal produced upon reaction of the substrate and the exposed enzymes, whereby detection of the signal identifies the organophosphorus nerve agent and/or the organophosphorus pesticide.