Use of tyrosinase nanobiosensor for detection of atrazine and simazine and its application in real water samples

ABSTRACT This study presents the development and characterization of cantilever nanobiosensors functionalized with the tyrosinase enzyme (0.05–0.001%) for the detection of atrazine and simazine in water. The optimization of tyrosinase activity through precise immobilization and sensitive layer adjustments was evaluated. Topographical analysis revealed the successful immobilization of the tyrosinase enzyme using the self-assembled monolayer technique, enhancing sensor sensitivity. Upon comparing the enzyme concentrations, it was found that the 0.006% exhibited remarkable results, including a limit of detection (LOD = 0.0080 ppb) and a limit of quantification (LOQ = 0.0267 ppb), along with enhanced storage stability for 15 days for atrazine detection. For simazine, the nanobiosensor exhibited high sensitivity (8.1532 nm/ppb) and LOD (0.0117 ppb). They demonstrated excellent reversibility (99%) over six cycles and selectivity against interfering pesticides commonly found in agricultural environments, indicating their suitability for complex sample matrices. Real water samples met regulatory standards for atrazine levels, further validating the efficacy of the nanobiosensors in detecting pesticide contamination. The enzymatic nanobiosensor achieved recoveries ranging from 97 to 101%, indicating high reproducibility. These findings demonstrate the potential of the developed nanobiosensors for sensitive and reliable pesticide detection in environmental monitoring, with implications for future applications.