Developments of spectroscopic biosensors for cholinesterase and its inhibitors in the last decade: an overview

Abstract Cholinesterase (ChE) is a kind of important enzyme in a range of significant areas such as toxicology, pharmacology, and neurobiology. ChE, which can be irreversibly inhibited with organophosphorus agents (OPs), plays an important role in cholinergic syndrome. Recently, many efforts have been devoted to developing ChE sensor. Spectroscopic methods, including fluorescence, colorimetric and UV-vis, chemiluminescence (CL), and surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) are the most widely used techniques for the ChE activity detection. In these developed spectroscopic techniques, biosensors using nanomaterials or probe or chromogenic agent are highly promising because of the enhanced sensitivity, fast response time, wide detection range and system miniaturization. This paper reviews the development, application, and research trend of spectroscopic methods of ChE activity and its inhibitors in the last decade. Furthermore, the prospects for ChE detection are also discussed.