Cellulose has emerged as an attractive substrate for the production of economical, disposable, point-of-care (POC) analytical devices. Development of novel methods of (bio)activation is central to broadening the application space of cellulosic materials. Ironically, such efforts are stymied by the inherent biocompatibility and recalcitrance of cellulose fibers. Here, we have elaborated a versatile, chemo-enzymatic approach to activate cellulosic materials for CuAAC "click chemistry", to develop new fluorogenic esterase sensors. Gentle, aqueous modification conditions facilitate broad applicability to cellulose papers, gauzes, and hydrogels. Tethering of the released fluorophore to the cellulose surface prevents signal degradation due to diffusion and enables straightforward, sensitive visualization with a simple light source in resource-limited situations.

Triphenylsulphonium ions inhibit mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and adenosine triphosphatase activity. The site of action is on the soluble F1 adenosine triphosphatase component. Triphenylsylphonium ions also inhibit electron transfer in the NAD-cytochrome b region of the respiratory chain. In both types of inhibition, triphenylsulphonium ions are effective at low concentrations, half-maximal inhibition being produced by a concentration of about 20-30 muM. These effects resemble the effects of alkylguanidines on mitochondria and are discussed in relation to the effects of alkylguanidines and other lipophilic cations such as ethidium and dibenzyldimethylammonium ions. A modification of the purification procedure for the soluble mitochondrial adenosine triphosphatase [Beechey, Hubbard, Linnett, Mitchell & Munn (1975) Biochem. J. 148, 533-537] IS DESCRIBED, WHICH YIELDS A PREPARATION WITH A HIGHER SPECIFIC ACTIVITY AND SHOWING FEWER BANDS IN GEL ELECTROPHORESIS.