Techniques for analyzing acetylcholinesterase activity: detection limits and trends in a systematic review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34117/bjdv12n6-035Keywords:
acetylcholinesterase, analytical methods, detection limit, biosensors, nanomaterialsAbstract
This work presents a systematic review of the main analytical techniques employed in the determination of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, with emphasis on analytical performance, methodological limitations, and recent technological trends. Thirty-three articles published between 2015 and 2026, selected from the PubMed and Web of Science databases, were analyzed. The results indicate that colorimetric methods remain widely used due to their simplicity and low cost, although they present limitations related to sensitivity and susceptibility to interferences. In contrast, fluorescence-based techniques stand out for their high analytical performance, driven by the use of nanomaterials and ratiometric strategies. Chromatographic methods and capillary electrophoresis show high selectivity and separation efficiency, being particularly relevant in the analysis of complex matrices and in confirmatory applications, despite greater operational complexity. Techniques such as chemiluminescence and photoluminescence demonstrate significant potential, although they still face challenges related to standardization and applicability. Additionally, there is a growing emerging trend in the development of hybrid platforms and smartphone-based point-of-care devices, aimed at rapid and portable analyses. In general, the results show that no single technique meets all analytical requirements, and it is necessary to select the method based on the nature of the sample, the complexity of the matrix, and the objectives of the analysis.
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