Carboxylesterases advantages

Malathion is an organophosphate cholinesterase inhibitor that is hydrolyzed and inactivated by plasma carboxylesterases much faster in humans than in insects, thereby providing a therapeutic advantage in treating pediculosis (see Chapter 7). Malathion is available as a 0.5% lotion (Ovide) that should be applied to the hair when dry 4-6 hours later, the hair is combed to remove nits and lice. 

Whole cell catalysts do not need immobiUzation, especially when mycelial micro-organisms are involved, since their morphological structure allows for easy filtration and re-utihzation. Carboxylesterases bound to the mycelia of molds have been advantageously employed as biocatalysts in water and/or organic solvents the first report of the use of fungal myceha in organic solvent dates back to 1978... 

A review is presented on the use of enzymatic techniques for pesticide residue analysis. Anticholinesterase and anti-carboxylesterase procedures, which comprise the majority of such techniques, are described with reference to the theory behind their use, the different methods of assay, their limits of detection, and their advantages and disadvantages. Other enzymatic techniques are also discussed. 

Malathion. Malathion (54) (Fig 15.17) is an excellent example to illustrate an additional, not yet sufficiently explored aspect of the design of soft chemicals. As mentioned, it is desirable to design soft chemicals deactivated by carboxylesterases. For soft chemicals intended to be used as pesticides, in addition to the usual advantages of soft drug design, the differential distribution of these enzymes... 

---