Advanced Journal of Chemistry, Section A
5.9(Q2)
CiteScore
31
h-index

An Image Analysis-Assisted Paper-Based Colorimetric Aptasensor for Simple and Rapid Malathion Detection

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors

Mardhiahtul Iftiah Ariffin 1
Norli Abdullah 2
Nor Laili-Azua Jamari 2
Fareha Hilaluddin 2, 3
Keat Khim Ong 2, 3
Mohd Junaedy Osman 2
Jahwarhar Izuan Abdul Rashid 2, 4
Siti Aminah Mohd Noor 2, 4
Wan Md Zin Wan Yunus 1
Victor Feizal Knight 3
Chai Keong Ngan 5
Seng Teik Ten 6
Mohd Nor Faiz Norrrahim 3

1 Faculty of Defence Science and Technology, Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (National Defence University of Malaysia) (NDUM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

2 Department of Chemistry and Biology, Centre for Defence Foundation Studies, National Defence University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

3 Research Centre for Chemical Defence, National Defence University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

4 Centre for Tropicalisation, National Defence University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

5 Soil Science, Water & Fertiliser Research Centre, Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

6 Engineering Research Center, Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), Selangor, Malaysia

https://doi.org/10.48309/ajca.2026.563604.1990
Abstract
Paper-based colorimetric sensors have been widely applied as cost-effective tools for on-site pesticide detection. The availability of inexpensive imaging technologies, such as smartphones, has enhanced the efficiency of detection methodologies. This work describes the development of an image analysis-assisted paper-based colorimetric aptasensor for malathion (MLT) detection. The sensing paper was fabricated by immobilizing a mixture of citrate-capped gold nanoparticles (cit-AuNPs) and thiolated DNA aptamer (Apt) onto Whatman filter paper. After a 3-minute reaction, the paper exhibited a visible color change in the presence of MLT due to cit-AuNP aggregation. Smartphone images of the sensing paper, captured before and after MLT addition, were processed using ImageJ software to obtain red, green, and blue (RGB) values, with the response expressed as ΔRGB. The aptasensor achieved a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.67 μM with a linear range of 100–1,000 μM. This paper-based colorimetric aptasensor provides a simple and rapid method for on-site MLT detection.

Graphical Abstract

An Image Analysis-Assisted Paper-Based Colorimetric Aptasensor for Simple and Rapid Malathion Detection

Keywords

Aptasensor
Image analysis
Paper-based colorimetric
Gold nanoparticles
Malathion

Subjects

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Advanced Journal of Chemistry, Section A
Volume 9, Issue 6
June 2026
Pages 1179-1191

  • Receive Date 02 December 2025
  • Revise Date 30 December 2025
  • Accept Date 06 February 2026

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