| abstract |
A test kit and a rapid and sensitive method are provided for the multiple detection of organophosphate and carbamate pesticides. The test method employs an insect brain material that hydrolyzes a 6-substituted D luciferin ester, preferably a 6-substituted acetyl D luciferin ester, to produce D luciferin. Hydrolysis is inhibited by the pesticides in a test sample. Luciferase and adenosine triphosphate react with the D luciferin to produce oxyluciferin and emitted bioluminescence. The brain material is initially incubated with a test sample followed by the addition of the ester, luciferase and adenosine triphosphate. The kit contains the brain material, the ester and optionally luciferase and adenosine triphosphate, and may also contain means for incubating, and means for measuring emitted bioluminescence, and a control standard. |