Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42783157›Full record

ArticleBiosensors2026

Portable Paper-Based Colorimetric Biosensor for Rapid Screening of Organophosphate Exposure via Acetylcholinesterase Activity and RGB Image Analysis.

Carlos E Zambra, Jorge Morales-Ferreiro, Francisca Herrera Vielma, Jessica Zúñiga-Hernández

Abstract read
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Article in Biosensors, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Carlos E ZambraDepartment of Industrial Technologies, Faculty of Engineering, University of Talca, Curicó 3640000, Chile.
Jorge Morales-FerreiroSchool of Science, Engineering and Technology, School of Engineering, Universidad Mayor, Santiago 7500994, Chile.ORCID 0000-0002-5257-4511
Francisca Herrera VielmaPharmacology Laboratory, Biomedical Sciences Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Talca, Talca 3465548, Chile.
Jessica Zúñiga-HernándezPharmacology Laboratory, Biomedical Sciences Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Talca, Talca 3465548, Chile.ORCID 0000-0003-2930-991X

Funding

Fondo de Fomento al Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico (FONDEF)-IT24I0045.Fondo de Innovación para la Competitividad (FIC) (FIC)-Maule BIP 40.018.932
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundRapid screening of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition is essential for monitoring exposure to organophosphate compounds, particularly in field settings where access to laboratory infrastructure is limited. This study aimed to develop a portable paper-based colorimetric biosensor for the semi-quantitative detection of AChE activity in blood samples.

methodsThe biosensor was based on a pH-dependent color change adapted from the modified Edson method. The platform was first optimized using experimental models and then evaluated in human capillary blood samples collected under real field conditions. Reference serum cholinesterase activity was determined by a certified clinical laboratory and used for comparison with the colorimetric response of the biosensor. RGB (red, green, and blue) image analysis was performed in a subset of samples to digitally characterize the chromatic response of the device.

resultsSamples with preserved AChE activity showed a visible color shift associated with substrate hydrolysis, whereas samples with reduced or inhibited activity maintained darker blue-dominant tones. RGB analysis of human samples revealed significant associations between AChE activity and the R and G channels, supporting the ability of the platform to distinguish between chromatic patterns associated with different ranges of enzymatic activity.

conclusionsThe proposed platform demonstrated the feasibility of translating a pH-based AChE assay into a portable paper-based format for semi-quantitative visual and RGB-assisted screening. Its evaluation in human samples demonstrated the feasibility of its use under field conditions as a proof-of-concept. Further studies are needed to optimize its analytical performance and validate its application in larger and more diverse populations.

Indexed as

AcetylcholinesteraseBiosensing TechniquesColorimetryOrganophosphatesHumansPaperAcetylcholinesteraseOrganophosphatescolorimetric detectionorganophosphate exposurepaper-based devicepoint-of-care testing

Identifiers

PMID42783157
PMCPMC13604447

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.