Estimation of oil triglyceride in environmental sample via nanozyme-based hydrolysis

In this study, a nanozyme-based catalytic approach was developed to facilitate the hydrolysis of triglycerides in olive oil-spiked water samples. Aspartate functionalized copper oxide nanoparticles (Asp-CuONP) were synthesized using copper salt (20 mM), green tea extracts (15 mL), and aspartic acid (5 mM) in a one-pot synthesis method and tested for their lipolytic activity by titration. Nanoparticle synthesis was optimized in terms of the precursor concentration, reducing agent volume, pH, reaction temperature, incubation time, and aspartate concentration. The initial characterization was performed using UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopy to validate the formation of Asp-CuONPs. The scanning electron microscopy analysis and theoretical yields of the nanoparticles were also performed. The triglyceride assay using the Asp-CuO nanozyme was performed by estimating the free fatty acid released from olive oil using an acid-base titration method. This study can turn out to be an efficient and sustainable approach toward monitoring oil-related environmental hazard.