Colorimetric detection of glucose and an assay for acetylcholinesterase with amine-terminated polydiacetylene vesicles

The colorimetric response of amine-terminated polydiacetylene (PDA) vesicles was initially demonstrated by varying the pH of the solution. Convenient colorimetric methods to detect glucose and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity were successfully established using amine-terminated PDA vesicles by taking advantage of the following features: (1) the amine-terminated PDA vesicles undergo a colorimetric transition as the pH of the solution changes; (2) glucose can be oxidized to gluconic acid in the presence of glucose oxidase; and (3) AChE catalyzes the hydrolysis of acetylcholine to acetic acid. The visual detection of glucose levels and AChE activity showed good selectivity and acceptable sensitivity. The detection limit of glucose was similar to 2.5 mu mol/L and the level of AChE activity was assayed as low as 10.0 mU/mL. Moreover, the amine-terminated PDA vesicles can be used for screening the activity of inhibitors against AChE.