Determination of acetamiprid by a colorimetric method based on the aggregation of gold nanoparticles

A method was developed for the detection of the insecticide acetamiprid based on the strong interaction of the cyano group of acetamiprid with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The interaction results in the aggregation of gold nanoparticles and is accompanied by a color change from red to purple. The concentration of acetamiprid can be determined qualitatively and quantitatively by visually monitoring the color change or by using a spectrometer. Transmittance electron microscopy and UV-vis spectroscopy have been used to characterize the process. The experimental parameters were optimized with regard to the size of the AuNPs, pH, and incubation time. Under optimal experimental conditions, linear relationships between the logarithm of the concentration of acetamiprid and the absorbance were found over the range of 0.66 to 6.6 μM for AuNPs with diameters of 22.0 ± 1.0 nm and of 6.6–66 μM for AuNPs with diameters of 15.0 ± 1.0 nm. This method was successfully applied to detect acetamiprid in vegetables.